High-tech public toilets proposed for San Francisco can recycle rainwater for reuse

The San Francisco Department of Public Works (DPW) has crowned SmithGroup the winner of its design competition for public toilet proposals. The winning entry, called AmeniTREES, would offer not only washroom functionality but also space for a commercial kiosk and environmentally friendly benefits. Topped with a green roof, the sculptural, metal-clad pavilions would be integrated with digital technology for advertising or educational purposes along with a rainwater harvesting system.

Developed as a kit of parts, the AmeniTREES are designed for easy transportation, assembly, customization and maintenance. Each curved, steel-framed pavilion will be clad in hot-formed metal panels and glass and then topped with a native green roof with a tree system add-on. To tap into cost-saving opportunities, the pavilions feature an integrated digital screen protected with a glass and metal skin that can be used for static or digital advertising.

SmithGroup created four options for the AmeniTREES: a single unit pavilion, a double unit pavilion, a double pavilion with a bench add-on or a double pavilion with a rooftop tree add-on. “New structures are iconic in their design and adaptability — transforming to varied site needs,” the architects explained. “Developing these design alternatives, along with the incorporation of varied native grasses and trees, allow for a cohesive collection of pavilions that are as varied as San Francisco’s neighborhoods.”

The rainwater harvesting system is engineered for minimal maintenance and enhanced durability. The collected water can be used to wash the units, water the vegetation or flush toilets to minimize reliance on the city’s potable water. Moreover, the green roof on each unit can enhance the city’s biodiversity and promote a cooling microclimate to combat the urban heat island effect.