'Toilet revolution' moving forward in Hangzhou

Every holiday season, Hangzhou attracts a large influx of tourists from all over China, and the iconic West Lake is an essential stop for most visitors. Among the many sights around West Lake, one place that leaves a lasting impression is the Lansing Public Toilets.

With its white walls, dark roof tiles, and bamboo surrounding the building, the Su Causeway Lansing Public Toilet seamlessly merges with the natural scenery. Located between Su Causeway's Suolan Bridge and Wangshan Bridge, the toilet embodies the concept of "blending into the landscape," appearing a natural part of the West Lake scenic spot.

The toilet's design features traditional Chinese sloped roofs with exposed rafters and beams, elements that highlight the essence of ancient Chinese architecture. To make the structure more dynamic and interesting, the Lansing team incorporated staggered roof layers, which create the shape of overlapping mountain ridges. This design not only adds life to the architecture but also creates a more varied interior space experience.

Lansing is not just the name of the public toilets but also the name of the professional design and operation team behind them. The founder, Zhao Shaohua, from Ningbo, Zhejiang province, studied material science engineering in the United States before returning to China in 2013. Four years later, he ventured into the public restroom sector within the cultural tourism industry.