Palm Toilet Facing the Sea of Flowers l Zaixing Architectural Design

Discover the Enchanting Meilinhuaxi Rose Industrial Park and its Unique Palm Toilet Oasis

Nestled within the picturesque confines of Jingping Village, Dacheng Town, Pingshan County, lies the hidden gem of Meilinhuaxi. This expansive rose industrial park unfolds its beauty starting from the heart of Yibin. Among the myriad attractions gracing this park, the Palm Toilet emerges as a prominent landmark, not only serving as a functional restroom but also embracing the role of a public service haven within the scenic expanse. Positioned at the industrial park entrance, the Palm Toilet commands attention as the initial structure that greets visitors, greeting them with both utility and aesthetics.

The Palm Toilet’s Design Concept

Set against the backdrop of a protective hill, the Palm Toilet rests within a sheltered cove, its frontage opening up to the sprawling rose fields and the welcoming embrace of the parking lot. Shielding the hill’s façade, a pair of magnificent trees stand sentinel, safeguarding the sense of seclusion the location affords.

This architectural marvel is ingeniously divided into two levels, its design organized around the central axis. Four functional square wooden modules are thoughtfully arranged in symmetrical precision on either side of this axis. On the ground level, the facilities encompass a handicapped-accessible restroom, an accompanying tool room, and a family-friendly bathroom flanking the central core.
Ascend to the upper level to find distinct male and female restrooms. This layout not only facilitates streamlined plumbing arrangements but also opens up creative avenues for façade material selection. Visitors can comfortably pause on the ground floor before ascending to the upper level for enhanced panoramas.

Traversing the side of the hill, traffic stairs and a handicap-accessible ramp offer unhindered vistas to the side frequented by the flow of visitors. Artfully upheld by a fusion of steel and wood structures, the sloping roof augments natural ventilation efficiency. Below this roof’s shelter, an enclave adorned with palm panels beckons, providing a relaxing haven. Here, visitors can unwind in the atrium, soaking in the captivating view of the tiered rose fields and the idyllic rustic landscapes cultivated by local villagers.

Blessed with a mild and rainy climate and abundant timber resources, the Sichuan region has nurtured a tradition of dwellings characterized by their lightweight, skillful design. This essence has been distilled into the Palm Toilet, which artfully extracts elements of these traditional dwellings while experimenting with novel structural and material concepts. The inclined roof’s sides feature cost-effective, sturdy, and practical color steel plates, harmonizing with the local rural architecture. The middle portion, adorned with transparent sun panels, ushers in natural light, while at night, it becomes a radiant beacon, illuminating the structure.

Steel columns stand stalwart within the interior, supporting the wooden frame that cradles the roof. The woodwork hails from fast-growing pinus sylvestris, its color mirroring that of the steel columns and the top. This meticulous attention to visual coherence safeguards the timber from the elements while maintaining an integrated aesthetic. The composite materials merge harmoniously, preserving a sense of order amidst diversity.

Embracing the innovative spirit, the Palm Toilet boasts a novel utilization of palm tree leaf sheath fiber, indigenous to the mountainous landscapes of southwest China. Renowned for its elasticity, water and rot resistance, breathability, and resistance to pests, this fiber has been utilized for centuries in crafting straw rain capes and palm fiber mattresses. In a pioneering twist, the Palm Toilet weaves this palm fiber into thicker panels, crafting an outer skin that embraces the steel framework in a rhythmic density gradient, allowing for unobstructed views while artfully balancing privacy and signage.
As a building material, palm panels prove hardy, resistant to wear, dirt, corrosion, and moisture, making them an ideal choice for public toilet construction, extending the material’s lifespan. The panels’ intricate internal structure further aids in ventilation, paying homage to the cultural legacy of rural construction materials.

Stepping into the spotlight as a pivotal cultural tourism endeavor, the Meilinhuaxi industrial park stands as a shimmering jewel in the city’s crown, adding a touch of allure to its identity as the “Rose City and Romantic Capital.” The Palm Toilet, serving as the park’s welcoming “prologue,” seamlessly melds with the locale through its image, materials, and structure, capturing the essence of rural aesthetics with simplicity and grace. This tasteful integration has elevated the comfort and quality of the visitor experience, offering a beacon of inspiration and guidance for local township development. The Palm Toilet’s innovative design and seamless alignment with its surroundings is a testament to harmonious architectural innovation in embracing nature’s beauty.

Project Info: 

• Architects: Zaixing Architectural Design
• Area: 180 m²
• Year: 2022
• Photographs: Xiaobin Lv
• Manufacturers: Zhi Yuan Palm Fibre Technology Ltd.
• Design Team: Qinhao Wen, Chenggang Li, Ziyuan Zhou, Xiaorui Kong，Wenhao Huang
• Construction Design: Sheng Di International Architecture and Engineering Design Corporation Ltd.
• Landscape Consultation: YFED
• Construction Contractor: Sichuan Liang Han Construction Engineering Co.
• Design Year: 2020.03
• Project Client: Jingping Village Committee
• City: Yibin
• Country: China