Winners have been announced for the Little Big Loo, Rethinking Public Toilets 2020. The architectural design competition posed a challenge for the participants to reimagine the conventional functionality of a public toilet which has become a necessity even more in the current pandemic the world is facing. Public toilets should not be seen as luxury but as a necessity along with shelter and education.

The little big loo-looked at innovative public toilets which acted as multipurpose facets to development not only providing basic sanitation needs but empowering and rebuilding the society as whole.

The esteemed jury for judging this competition consisted of Abin Chaudhuri (Abin Design Studio), SONG Gang (Atelier Cn°S, China), ZHONG Guanqiu (Atelier Cn°S), Alexis Dornier Indonesia.

The top three Winners were awarded total prize money of $4000 while ten entries received Honourable mentions.

See the winners with short description below:

Image courtesy of the artists

First Place: PRA (Sadhan)

Rishav Kumar - Siddhi Vashi - Anurag Rathi (India) PRA (Sadhan)

"Migrant Workers are the driving workforce of the construction industry and probably the ones that are exploited the most". The solution offers solving two major problems faced by migrant workers, sanitation and providing education to their young children. The design assembled with scaffolding and locally on-site available materials makes it a feasible and portable prototype that can be easily replicated across the country.

"The design hence not only aims to introduce a domestic yet familiar dimension in the everyday space of workers by providing basic sanitary facilities but also promotes a strong social message of education amongst the migrants."

Image courtesy of the artists

2nd place: Chaar Deewar

Priyank Mehta-Digvi Shah - Anam Taufig (India) Chaar Deewar

Char Deewar, "a colloquial sanctum for the underprivileged"

Located in the Worli Koliwada, the concept creates interesting and sustainable spaces for varied people from the elderly to the kids and the local vendors to the fishing community of the Worli Koliwada.The design metaphorically and physically uses the idea of walls to infuse the community with the four most basic needs: good sanitation, education, recreation and livelihood.

In a bid to improve every day life the design engages various users and curates a space which people can look to for camaraderie, culture, work, liberation and above all initiates a sense of identity and pride.

Image courtesy of the artists

3rd winners: Khula Re

Kiran Antony - Sanam Abdul Salam - Larin Manoharan (India) Khula Re

"Deeply rooted caste systems and beliefs contribute to a community's preference on daily necessities." The design is based in Raghurajpur, a quaint village on the shores of Bhargavi River in Puri, Odisha.

"The concept emphasises on understanding the open defecating patterns and habits of the village people and translating it into spaces still ensuring possibilities for multipurpose use. Taking a social backdrop along with sustainability and considering climate change probabilities the open toilet modules are designed in order allow a respectful, responsive and a familiar environment with a freedom of choice to various degrees of privacy."

See the full winners with Honorary Members on the competition's website. 

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