GN Architects has designed Atour Town's new public restroom in Qingdao, China.

Located in the square underneath the Cangma Mountain, Atour Town is a typical new town in the process of urbanisation in China.

The architects positioned the project site under a cliff, which effectively repaired the scars left by the drop during the construction; the top cover soil and plants acted as a natural transition.

The functions are restrained and intensive to avoid redundancy. From the square to the inner courtyard, the building presents only one facade, which is clean and rich, giving tourists unexpected surprises and beauty.

"The owner initially just needed a public toilet, which could appear inside any building or be combined with the garage mezzanine. It was a function that needed to be hidden," said GN Architects.

"We were invited to complete a series of tasks, including the site selection and design of this public toilet."

As a result, the building facade uses seven-meter-high curved integral aluminium panels with seamless splicing and all doors and windows are hidden behind the curved walls, making it recognisable.

This project has been shortlisted in the civic project category of Dezeen Awards China 2024.

Studio: GN Architects
Project: Atour Town Public Restroom
Credits: Sunac Beijing, Aspect Studios and PurilightingDesign