Public bathrooms are such an interesting public services issue. In some places it’s totally normal to pay a small fee, and in return you (usually) get a clean space. In other places, the idea of paying to use the bathroom is considered an offense against the public.
Years ago when I was in New York often, I had the idea to make a paid bathroom app, with a bit of a luxury twist. You’d pay $30 or whatever a month to have access to 40+ well-designed bathrooms across the city. The idea was that we’d own and operate these, and they’d be extremely well-designed, have beautiful tile interiors, come with a variety of hygiene products, water bottles, and so on.
I still think it could work, but over time I began to dislike the idea, as it would have been yet another example of the public commons essentially being eroded and replaced with a privatized paid system. Not that NYC public bathrooms are even remotely nice to begin with… but I think a better solution would be less deliberately exclusionary. Then again, what could be more NYC than the idea of paying money to get better things?
It's actually everywhere. Europe is full of door knobs. We're trying to make sure that everyone touches as many surfaces as possible. Next step would be tongue operated doors and switches.
https://restroomarchive.com/r/2026-08-29-grand-army-plaza-au...
> has a countdown timer above warning visitors that the door will auto-open in x amount of time.
A toilet that has a door with a countdown seems like the most stress-inducing thing ever.
It's quite common in Europe. Usually you get 15 minutes which seems fairly generous.
Public bathrooms are such an interesting public services issue. In some places it’s totally normal to pay a small fee, and in return you (usually) get a clean space. In other places, the idea of paying to use the bathroom is considered an offense against the public.
Years ago when I was in New York often, I had the idea to make a paid bathroom app, with a bit of a luxury twist. You’d pay $30 or whatever a month to have access to 40+ well-designed bathrooms across the city. The idea was that we’d own and operate these, and they’d be extremely well-designed, have beautiful tile interiors, come with a variety of hygiene products, water bottles, and so on.
I still think it could work, but over time I began to dislike the idea, as it would have been yet another example of the public commons essentially being eroded and replaced with a privatized paid system. Not that NYC public bathrooms are even remotely nice to begin with… but I think a better solution would be less deliberately exclusionary. Then again, what could be more NYC than the idea of paying money to get better things?
Only in America: Door knob so you cannot use your sleeve to exit sanitarily.
Also obligatory fluffy and sticky floor mat is missing.
It's actually everywhere. Europe is full of door knobs. We're trying to make sure that everyone touches as many surfaces as possible. Next step would be tongue operated doors and switches.
Does anyone have a recommendation for an open source photogrammetry application for Android?
Especially one that can produce rooms like this!
Kiri Engine with AI and Splats might be even better on this.
George Costanza would be proud
You can see one of the authors here in the mirror :) - https://restroomarchive.com/r/2024-12-02-the-mart-collective
That's a great idea. It would be nice to have an archive of restrooms in Korea too.
Public bathroom sinks are always way too small. Google Maps should integrate with this service to incentivize larger sinks.
Could generate some truly unique datasets. Anyone else immediately think of 'graffiti as a service' or toilet paper consumption stats?
This is very cool!
Shit like this makes me feel like I am back browsing Fark 25 years ago (pun intended :P)
this is why we cant have nice things
I'd probably reword that and ask: Why do people feel like trashing restrooms or not feel like they shouldn't clean up after themselves?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somebody_else%27s_problem
What are you talking about, this IS a nice thing!