Transparent public toilets appear in Tokyo

AKIPRESS.COM - One of Tokyo's most popular districts has recently added some unusual new attractions: transparent public toilets, CNNreported. Designed by Shigeru Ban Architects, the two new sets of see-through restrooms have been installed in Shibuya, the bustling city center famous for its busy pedestrian crossing.
The public toilets are part of an innovative project aimed at changing people's perceptions.
"There are two things we worry about when entering a toilet, especially those located at a park. The first is cleanliness, and the second is whether anyone is inside," says a statement on the project's official website, Tokyotoilet.jp.
Shigeru Ban Architects' design tackles these two concerns by offering a toilet with glass walls that - at first - allows the public to see through from the outside. But once a user enters the toilet and locks the door, the walls turn opaque to provide privacy.
"This allows users to check the cleanliness and whether anyone is using the toilet from the outside," says the statement.