PAO's public restroom meanders around amoeba-shaped concrete structure in beijing

Amoeba Public Restroom by People’s Architecture Office

People’s Architecture Office (PAO) has recently completed the Amoeba Public Restroom in Manshan Park, a popular destination in Beijing, China. The restroom features a unified meandering silhouette made of concrete, surrounding an all-gender facility. The structure has a distinct undulating shape that resembles an amoeba, hence its name, and houses nine individual stalls of varying sizes and shapes.

Seven of these curved nooks have enclosed doors, forming private toilet cabins, while the remaining two are open and equipped with large wash basins. Each restroom section takes on a conical shape, with an inclined peak and a skylight, creating a pleasant illumination that resembles natural light wells within each stall. Each unit is equipped with concealed lighting along the edges of the walls, providing a gentle glow during dark hours.

all images © Zhu Yumeng, unless stated otherwise

a welcoming and functional environment

Nestled within the bustling park, the Amoeba Public Restroom becomes an integral part of a vibrant social hub that hosts markets, forums, exhibitions, music, and theatrical performances. With this project, the team at the PAO (see more here) has prioritized user experience and convenience. The aim is to create an inclusive environment for people of all ages, including families with children, individuals with disabilities, and those who are gender non-conforming.

The design of the restroom cabins features doors that do not completely seal off the space, fostering a sense of continuity and emphasizing inclusivity over segregation. Wash basins, located at each end of the building, are shared among all visitors, further encouraging a sense of community. The Amoeba project not only serves its practical purpose but also enhances the overall social dynamics of the park, making the experience better for all who visit.

the structure takes its cues from the mountainous setting behind

as it ascends, each section of the restroom adopts a conical shape | image ©PAO

the stall doors do not completely seal off the space, letting the natural light peeks out

the slanted ceilings, paired with skylights, create a pleasant illumination reminiscent of natural light wells in each stall

image ©PAO

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image ©PAO

axonometric plan ©Yuan Yingzi, Yang Quanyue, Zhang Hongdou

section ©Yuan Yingzi, Yang Quanyue, Zhang Hongdou

top view ©Yuan Yingzi, Yang Quanyue, Zhang Hongdou

master plan ©Yuan Yingzi, Yang Quanyue, Zhang Hongdou

project info:

name: Amoeba Public Restroom
architects: People’s Architecture Office | ©peoplesarchitecture
principals: He Zhe, James Shen, Zang Feng
design team: Yang Quanyue, Wen Hao, Lu Boge
structural consultant: Liu Su
lighting consultant: X Studio, School of Architecture, Tsinghua University
landscape consultant: Farmerson Architects
design period: April 2021- September 2021
construction period: October 2021- February 2022

location: Manshan Park, Mentougou , Beijing, China
client: Metro Land Corporation Ltd.
chief curator of manshan park: Zhou Rong
photography: Zhu yumeng, People’s Architecture Office
drawings: Yuan Yingzi, Yang Quanyue, Zhang Hongdou