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research_report_sanjeev-shankar [2008-02-12 12:41] – sanjeev | wccafe_report [2014-02-21 04:26] (current) – nik | ||
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- | **====== WcCafe ======** | + | ===== WcCafe |
- | •// | + | by [[sanjeev shankar]] and [[FoAM]] for the WTO's [[WcCafe]] Jan/Feb 2008 |
- | * Unordered List Item | + | // |
Toilets have been a source of taboo, embarrassment and humour in many cultures. This project explores the subject of toilets and defecation and aims to bring it out in the open. The intent is to create a cafe which makes toilet discussion a table discussion, thereby giving it legitimacy. ‘WcCafe’ would serve coffee and snacks in an environment which is beautiful, refreshing and purposeful. | Toilets have been a source of taboo, embarrassment and humour in many cultures. This project explores the subject of toilets and defecation and aims to bring it out in the open. The intent is to create a cafe which makes toilet discussion a table discussion, thereby giving it legitimacy. ‘WcCafe’ would serve coffee and snacks in an environment which is beautiful, refreshing and purposeful. | ||
It has three main purposes: | It has three main purposes: | ||
- | * Unordered List Item | ||
First is public awareness and education. The focus is to break the taboo associated with toilets and make it a mainstream discussion. | First is public awareness and education. The focus is to break the taboo associated with toilets and make it a mainstream discussion. | ||
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Third is to act like a catalyst and trigger a sustainable sanitation movement for the 2.6 billion people globally who do not have access to proper sanitation. It would also act like an informal backdrop to lobby for a pro-sanitation movement through its franchise outlets globally. | Third is to act like a catalyst and trigger a sustainable sanitation movement for the 2.6 billion people globally who do not have access to proper sanitation. It would also act like an informal backdrop to lobby for a pro-sanitation movement through its franchise outlets globally. | ||
- | • //brief summary of the cultural, scientific and social context within which the research took place// | + | //brief summary of the cultural, scientific and social context within which the research took place// |
The research started in New Delhi, India and proceeded through follow up exchanges between the design consultant, Sanjeev Shankar; the producer, FoAM, represented by Maja Kuzmanovic and the client, World Toilet Organisation, | The research started in New Delhi, India and proceeded through follow up exchanges between the design consultant, Sanjeev Shankar; the producer, FoAM, represented by Maja Kuzmanovic and the client, World Toilet Organisation, | ||
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Some of the projects which have dealt with similar fields of inquiry are discussed below: | Some of the projects which have dealt with similar fields of inquiry are discussed below: | ||
- | (1)**Sulabh Toilet Museum**// | + | (1) **Sulabh Toilet Museum**// |
It has been established with the following objectives: | It has been established with the following objectives: | ||
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(d)To help the manufacturers of toilet equipment and accessories in improving their products by functioning as a technology storehouse; and | (d)To help the manufacturers of toilet equipment and accessories in improving their products by functioning as a technology storehouse; and | ||
(e)To help sanitation experts learn from the past and solve problems in the sanitation sector. | (e)To help sanitation experts learn from the past and solve problems in the sanitation sector. | ||
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+ | {{: | ||
+ | Photograph by Sanjeev shankar | ||
This model rates highly on research, sustainability and social responsibility fronts. However, it is not envisioned as being a source of revenue. It is also located far away from the mainstream crowd in Delhi and holds little novelty to bring the people back. It also serves an educational purpose for both researchers and the public alike. | This model rates highly on research, sustainability and social responsibility fronts. However, it is not envisioned as being a source of revenue. It is also located far away from the mainstream crowd in Delhi and holds little novelty to bring the people back. It also serves an educational purpose for both researchers and the public alike. | ||
- | (2)**Toilet restaurant in Taiwan**: Marton Theme Restaurant, named after the Chinese word " | + | (2) **Toilet restaurant in Taiwan**: Marton Theme Restaurant, named after the Chinese word " |
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+ | {{: | ||
+ | http:// | ||
This model rates highly from the profitability angle but does not go beyond being a gimmick. It rates poorly on the social responsibility and sustainability pointers and is certainly not different from other theme restaurants globally. However it does bring people’s fascination with the subject of toilets out into the open. | This model rates highly from the profitability angle but does not go beyond being a gimmick. It rates poorly on the social responsibility and sustainability pointers and is certainly not different from other theme restaurants globally. However it does bring people’s fascination with the subject of toilets out into the open. | ||
- | (3)**WC1 on Oxford Street**, London is a ladies luxury toilet and powder room. The environment uses curved pebble walls, rich woods, stone floors and a graphic language which supports the theme. The services offered include de-stressing massages and beauty products. Offered to the public at a price of 1 pound the place ranks favourably with the ladies. | + | (3) **WC1 on Oxford Street**, London is a ladies luxury toilet and powder room. The environment uses curved pebble walls, rich woods, stone floors and a graphic language which supports the theme. The services offered include de-stressing massages and beauty products. Offered to the public at a price of 1 pound the place ranks favourably with the ladies. |
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+ | {{: | ||
+ | www.wc1.co.uk | ||
The model rates highly from the profitability and service angle. However it fails to go beyond that. | The model rates highly from the profitability and service angle. However it fails to go beyond that. | ||
- | (4)**Sketch**, | + | (4) **Sketch**, London. A theatrical restaurant cum bar, Sketch is a constantly evolving and changing place which engages the people by offering an atmosphere that combines food with video art and music, complete with a gallery, a lecture room, library, parlour and the glade. It is conceived by French master chef Pierre Gagnaire. |
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+ | {{: | ||
+ | www.sketch.uk.com Photographer_ Rene Chavanne | ||
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+ | The image to the left is an interior shot of the toilet in Sketch. | ||
**Problem/ | **Problem/ | ||
- | //.Concise summary of the problem domain that the research explores, or the specific aims of the research undertaken // | + | //Concise summary of the problem domain that the research explores, or the specific aims of the research undertaken // |
As stated before, the aim of the project is to design a ‘WcCafe’. | As stated before, the aim of the project is to design a ‘WcCafe’. | ||
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+ | {{: | ||
http:// | http:// | ||
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_ It can also act as a source of revenue for WTO, FoAM and VWO. | _ It can also act as a source of revenue for WTO, FoAM and VWO. | ||
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**Methods** | **Methods** | ||
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//concise description of the way the research has been developed from establishing the problem definition to the final results// | //concise description of the way the research has been developed from establishing the problem definition to the final results// | ||
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The research in Singapore was preceded by a visit to the toilet museum in New Delhi and the launch of the film ‘Fecal Attraction’ along with a detailed study by CSE (centre for science and environment) of the sanitation situation in New Delhi. A brief summary of this film and the study has been included in the references list at the end of this report. In Singapore, the focus gradually shifted from analyzing popular public spaces and interesting business models to exploring possible sites for the WcCafe. A brief study of outlets which come closest to the WcCafe concept was carried out and used as a reference to create a strategy for the WcCafe. We realized that though the project has a unique advantage in being the first of its kind there are two issues which have to be carefully looked at. The first and most crucial issue is that of funding. Further discussions brought out the need to create a clear strategy for procuring funds and inviting possible partners/ | The research in Singapore was preceded by a visit to the toilet museum in New Delhi and the launch of the film ‘Fecal Attraction’ along with a detailed study by CSE (centre for science and environment) of the sanitation situation in New Delhi. A brief summary of this film and the study has been included in the references list at the end of this report. In Singapore, the focus gradually shifted from analyzing popular public spaces and interesting business models to exploring possible sites for the WcCafe. A brief study of outlets which come closest to the WcCafe concept was carried out and used as a reference to create a strategy for the WcCafe. We realized that though the project has a unique advantage in being the first of its kind there are two issues which have to be carefully looked at. The first and most crucial issue is that of funding. Further discussions brought out the need to create a clear strategy for procuring funds and inviting possible partners/ | ||
- | An ideal location for the WcCafe would be a thriving multi cultural place which is an authentic representation of Singapore. China Town is an interesting place for such a café and so are some of the popular shopping malls which are the personification of modern Singapore. We can explore the roof tops of these shopping malls as possible sites. Juxtaposing the old and new can be an interesting approach too. In either case, it goes without saying that the context would be a critical factor in the final design and would closely impact the forms, materials and sustainability issues. | + | {{: |
+ | Photograph by Sanjeev shankar | ||
+ | |||
+ | An ideal location for the WcCafe would be a thriving multi cultural place which is an authentic representation of Singapore. China Town is an interesting place for such a café and so are some of the popular shopping malls which are the personification of modern Singapore. We can explore the roof tops of these shopping malls as possible sites. Juxtaposing the old and new can be an interesting approach too. In either case, it goes without saying that the context would be a critical factor in the final design and would closely impact the forms, materials and sustainability issues. | ||
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+ | {{: | ||
+ | Other possible locations for WcCafe include the Singapore Zoo, Singapore Airport, Sentosa Island, Bird park and the Red Dot Design Museum. | ||
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* ‘**Food Republic**’_ This is one of the most successful outlets in Singapore, which is synonymous with being modern, sleek and clean. A nation where everything is about being orderly and precise ‘//Food Republic// | * ‘**Food Republic**’_ This is one of the most successful outlets in Singapore, which is synonymous with being modern, sleek and clean. A nation where everything is about being orderly and precise ‘//Food Republic// | ||
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* ‘**McCafe**’_ Started by McDonald’s as a dedicated outlet for coffee, this is an efficient model for a cafe. The client has often sited this in his discussions as a trigger for the ‘WcCafe’ name and proposes this as a reference model. However it pales in comparison to the above two models. It also does not respond to the local culture and remains a westernised import in this region. | * ‘**McCafe**’_ Started by McDonald’s as a dedicated outlet for coffee, this is an efficient model for a cafe. The client has often sited this in his discussions as a trigger for the ‘WcCafe’ name and proposes this as a reference model. However it pales in comparison to the above two models. It also does not respond to the local culture and remains a westernised import in this region. | ||