Creating the greenest public toilets in the county…

Ecotecture were chosen to design an eco replacement toilet block or ‘Green Latrine!’ to replace some old facilities as part of the agricultural society’s commitment to the environment. The new building was re-sited to allow for natural drainage and omitted the energy impact associated with the use of the existing pump.

The design of the building was based on a bean pod, incorporating a covered courtyard between two ends which provided male and female toilets. This covered area acts as a social space dispersing the stigma associated with queuing for the toilet, whilst being open to instill a sense of safety. Sheep’s wool is used to insulate the rooms off the courtyard which house showers, whilst the main uninsulated spaces are top lit for maximum natural daylight.

Rainwater is harvested from the roof of the building and stored in large, former fruit juice, tanks which have been re-cycled and located above ground. This water is used to flush the toilets in conjunction with a low flush system. The urinals are waterless and incorporate a low wattage fan to draws fluid and odours into the pipework. Water is heated using a solar thermal panel, and dispensed efficiently via spray bib taps over communal steel washing troughs.