48 Hour Inclusive Design Challenge at Design Korea, 9-11 December 2010, organised by The British Council Korea with the Korean Institute of Design Promotion
Team GTen
Team leader: Gavin Thomson (Gavin Thomson Design)
Design partner: Kim Jungsup
The team's design partner had an accident at work, leaving him paralysed in both legs and reliant on a wheelchair. Emotionally and physically strong, he has mastered his wheelchair for everyday and sports activities. On close observation it was evident that the wheelchair had fundamental flaws and opened many opportunities for redesign.
However, the team felt that tackling these would not open up mainstream possibilities so they decided to concentrate on the problems he encountered using toilets - some were too high, others too low - and toilets are for everyone.
Toi'let, is an adjustable toilet concept designed to improve toilet usage for all by allowing for height variation for all sizes and abilities.
The name is a play on the word toilet where 'toi' is the French for 'you', thus inferring everyone's individuality and specific needs. The team recognised that there are several ways to achieving an adjustment. They were inspired by the disabled logo and how it could be used to represent the norm rather than the exception.
Clever geometry allows a horizontal seat pan and by positioning the toilet diagonally in a corner, it gives more room for the user, a better use of the space and allows for a wall mounted rail system with close proximity of two wash basins - one at 750mm and another at 900mm.
Toi'let is operated by turning an integrated rail switch which activates low-geared electronic mechanics and allows the user to obtain their perfect height, encouraging better 'buttock' positioning and makes getting up easier, which favours elderly users.
Toi'let has been designed to work with 'accessible toilet' layouts (1.5m x 2m) and more conventional layouts (1.5m x 1m) where wheelchair access is restricted.
The floor is mustard yellow and integrates navigation conventions such as raised lines for direction and circular raised pimples for a 'stop' position to assist visually impaired users. Flushing is activated either by a switch directly mounted on the main unit or an integrated turn switch in the rail system. Further features include wall-to-ceiling mirrors with LCD screens positioned behind for information, advertising or entertainment.
The material choice is to be explored further but precision ceramics or carbon fibre constructions may well suit the main body combined with a bright stainless steel top surface. There is an illuminated panel to aid visually impaired users and provide ambient lighting which has an integrated speaker to provide speech instruction for the hard of hearing. The seat uses an anti-bacterial, gel-based material with an easy-to-clean neoprene surface for comfort whilst encouraging hygiene.
Other ideas generated by the team and yet to be explored include: smell; aromas; ambient sound; interactive entertainment; communication; feminine hygiene disposal; alarm systems; comfortable seat shape contouring; provision for shopping and integrated baby changing facilities.
