Lobster loos
The lobster loos are iconic public toilets in Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand. They are part of the Kumutoto public space near Queen's Wharf on the Wellington Waterfront.[1][2] They are formed from two concrete 'tentacles' covered over by a red-orange steel shroud.[3][4] Updraft through the tentacles provides natural ventilation.[5] The toilets were designed by Bret Thurston of Studio Pacific architects[5] and cost $375,000 to build, twice as much as an ordinary facility.[6] They were commissioned in August 2011.[1]The toilets won a design award at the 2012 Wellington Architecture Awards and have been the subject of international interest.[3][7]
The unofficial name "lobster loos" caused some controversy because of Māori cultural objections to the mixing of food and toileting in the name.[8]
As of 2026, the toilets are open 7:00am to 11:00pm.[9]
See also
References
- 1 2 Torrie, Bronwyn (12 August 2011). "Designer dunnies get first flush". Stuff. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
- ↑ Chung, Kiran (27 September 2010). "Costs put rink down gurgler and toilets on ice". The Dominion Post. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
- 1 2 Torrie, Bronwyn (13 August 2011). "Lobster loos name unpopular". Stuff. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
- ↑ "Kumutoto Toilets by Studio Pacific". Dezeen. 2012-08-10. Retrieved 2024-06-19.
- 1 2 "Kumutoto Toilets open | Studio Pacific Architecture". www.studiopacific.co.nz. Retrieved 2024-06-19.
- ↑ Burgess, Dave (16 April 2010). "Extra $200,000 to make lobster loos a work of art". www.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 2024-06-19.
- ↑ "Wellington's lobster loos scoop award". Stuff. 1 November 2012. Retrieved 8 April 2026.
- ↑ Torrie, Bronwyn (13 August 2011). "Lobster loos name unpopular". Stuff. Retrieved 8 April 2026.
- ↑ "Public toilets in Wellington". Wellington City Council. 14 August 2025. Retrieved 8 April 2026.
External links
- Lobster loos – The Architecture Centre
- Video: interviews with Wellington Waterfront chief executive and project manager and a look around the toilets