understanding the problem from a different point of view

happy friday: awkward public bathroom version

long branch farm

Monday while browsing the internet, I came across a site that talked about the composting toilet facilities at Long Branch Farm. Apparently, they have one of the first composting toilet systems (for public use) in the state of Ohio. I promptly sent them an email to see if I could come check it out.

They promptly replied, and I headed out there early yesterday. Jason, the sole employee at Long Branch (which is part of the Cincinnati Nature Center) showed me everything there was to see (and I mean EVERYTHING :)). This was an important step for my project- designing a composting toilet without ever seeing one seems difficult. The system in place at Long Branch is sophisticated and very much regulated by the EPA (unlike, probably, a personal system would be.) The bathrooms are clean, odor-free, and pretty close to what a standard public restroom would be like. Most of the composting system is in the basement; there is a ventilation system that continuously pulls air through the toilets and large tanks where the waste collects and composts. There is a drainage system that pumps out all the 'fluid' (which is pumped out and disposed of @$200 per pump.) There is also a water tank that is used for cleaning the restrooms and watering the compost.

All in all, the overall take-aways are:

- Composting toilets really don't smell. Really. This, as far as I can tell, is a huge benefit over current portable restrooms.

- The system in place at Long Branch is too involved, and actually requires a lot of work and energy (to keep the unit heated in the winter in order to keep the composting process going.) Jason thinks there could be major improvements. I agree.

- Composting toilets are viable in a public setting. It's working well at Long Branch.

new survey

just a quick post for now;

if you have a minute, take my survey

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SHYMRHC

it's only 5 questions!

thanks :)

happy monday :)

It's go-time (not quite panic time, but approaching...) In doing a little research about toilet seats, I found this trainer seat on Kohler's website. I think it looks like a lobster.

Happy monday :)

..also, on the design front:

Tonight I have decided (95%, at least) that my final design is going to be square... in dealing with an incredibly small space, I don't really want to take any more away. Feedback? Also...sorry about the underline. Not sure what is going on.

first check-in

see the full presentation here

Tuesday was the first official check-in for our thesis projects. I presented the pdf above, and overall it was really well received (I got an A! woo!)

The rest of the week has been a sort of I'm-having-fun-with-my-life stall, but I'm really jumping back in with two feet right now. From the beginning of this project I have been really intrigued by composting toilets and the potentially huge impact composting porta-potties could have. I've cautiously investigated the details, while trying hard not to gravitate only to that concept. After seeing/hearing/meeting/eating ice cream with Emily and Matt from Project H yesterday, I've decided to go that way. The potential for good (and really, profit) that that concept has is huge and the biggest improvement I've found yet.

In order for a composting toilet system to be really viable, I am pretty convinced that there would have to be a municipal composting system in place (like they have in Seattle and San Fransisco.) See here for a specific link about bringing composting toilets to Seattle.

So the next challenge? Using the composting toilet technology paired with exceptional design to push forward a toilet that people (and kids!) actually want to use. More to follow, hopefully soon...

sketch development

I'm working on a progress check for class tomorrow and put together these pages of development sketches from last week. There are lots of little hints at features that may very well make it into the final product.

icon for outhouses in sweden

the asian squat and pit toilets

(thanks to Tracy for this informational and amusing video)

My education on squat toilets continues, but probably the more notable thing that has happened lately is that we went camping Friday. Luckily (for me) there were pit toilets(!) I've used pit toilets before, but this was a chance for me to really evaluate them for cleanliness and compare them to a porta-potty. I was interested to find that the pits are actually much better...

observations:

1) The pit toilets were very spacious (really, there is no reason for them to be too small)

2) The pit toilets had huge vent stacks, similar to a porta-potty.

3) The pit toilets didn't smell (although this could have EVERYTHING to do with the fact that it was actually quite cold while we were there.)

4) Someone had hung a strip of fly tape from the ceiling. Not sure if this is effective or not.

5) It was super-dark in the toilets. Without a flashlight at night, using them would have been nearly impossible...

We have our first progress check on Tuesday, so expect more news then...

do you sit or squat?

Recently I have come across a lot of information about sit vs. squat toilets. I guess toilets made for sitting are a very Western phenomena, while a lot of the rest of the world tends to squat. Not only that, but apparently squatting is more hygienic and better for you, from a health point of view. I did see a couple squat portable restrooms at the pumpers and cleaners expo, but I wonder if people would be willing to adopt this totally different practice...? I'm thinking something between sitting and squatting may be ideal.

(video from http://www.toilet-related-ailments.com/order.html)

and also this, from "The Bathroom" by Alexander Kira:

"The ideal posture for defecation is the squatting position, with the thighs flexed upon the abdomen. In this way the capacity of the abdominal cavity is greatly diminished and intra-abdominal pressure increased, thus encouraging the expulsion of the fecal mass. The modern toilet seat in many instances is too high even for some adults."

one week of research

The spring quarter has officially started, and that means it is time to really get rolling on this project. The next nine and a half weeks will be mostly self-governed; the faculty seem to really just be in the background, available for advice when needed.

I've given myself this first week to do some literary research, and have made it through one complete book so far: "Ladies and Gents," edited by Olga Gershenson and Barbara Penner. Even though the book focused a lot on gender differences and equalities in public restrooms, it had some particularly interesting insight into cultural norms and female urinals. The book also talks a lot about the social taboo of the subject of toilets, defecating, and urination. It also proposes that public toilets are not as female-friendly as they are male-friendly because they are largely designed and manufactured by men.

This frames the problem (redesigning the portable restroom) as a physical and psychological one; not only must the space be more accommodating, but it must encourage a popular revision of common attitudes around toilets, bathrooms, and the public.