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Ambient Toilet Design for Nigeria

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Stephen Lonewolf Makama
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29 views2 pages

Ambient Toilet Design for Nigeria

Uploaded by

Stephen Lonewolf Makama
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

The Ambient Toilet: A Case for Curtailing Open Defecation Thru Smart Architecture

TheAmbientToilet, (Stephen Makama Archives, 2006)


The problem of open defecation in many parts of Nigeria is an ongoing phenomenon. The
problem is largely due to the non-provision of such facilities in public buildings, markets and
other commercial areas where people aggregate. Secondly the problem is due to poor design and
poor maintenance of such facilities where they exist and as a result when users are pressed and
visit a facility only to find it unkempt the tendency is to resort to conducting the call of nature
elsewhere, most likely openly.
A third category exists and this group is subject of an ongoing study being conducted by me and
a fellow Nigerian architect/ colleague in Germany. This category is that of people who have a
strong reservation about the whole concept of a toilet as an enclosed space entirely. In fact, in
traditional Northern Nigerian Architecture having a toilet facility within the living, resting,
cooking and activity zones was a taboo- it was constructed in the secluded part of the dwelling.
Around 2006 a discussion with a medical doctor friend of mine here in Nigeria led us to the topic
of open defecation. This was a serious conversation and I was slightly amused to learn that he
subscribed to the idea of racing out onto a farm land or open space under the stars (most
preferably) to answer the call of nature.
There were and are obvious health and sanitary considerations certainly, but we were educated
professionals entertaining thoughts along this line. What were less informed people thinking.
The concept of the ‘ambient toilet ‘came to fore.
So, what is the Ambient Toilet?
The concept of the ‘ambient toilet’ is to create or replicate an ambience which would encourage
the use of public or private toilets without the disagreeable visual and sensory feelings that come
and go with it. Due the prevalence of unsteady and sometimes nonexistence of power, toilets in
many parts of Nigeria cannot be mechanically ventilated and natural ventilation is not a viable
option.
Therefore, the concept of the ‘ambient toilet’ is to utilize smart architecture, technology and solar
energy to actualize an ambience that would mimic the outdoor, open space most people resort to
conduct their business.
The figure above (theambienttoilet) is a theoretical expression of this concept where the
‘geodesic dome’ is representative of an artificially created ambience namely: The Sahel Ambient
Design, The Rainforest Ambient Design and The Sahara Ambient Design but not restricted to
any of them.
The novelty is this is that this would build upon existing smart solutions in use for conveniences
(men’s and women’s restrooms) already in use in many international airports and public spaces.
These include automatic liquid soap dispensers, motion sensitive urinal flushers, motion
sensitive faucets and many more.
The Ambient Toilet is a smart intervention that seeks to tackle a very pressing problem in many
parts of Nigeria and implementation of which would drastically curtail open defecating and
encourage good sanitary practice all around.
The Ambient Toilet is an intervention for good sanitary practice.

Common questions

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International airports incorporate smart solutions such as automatic liquid soap dispensers, motion-sensitive urinal flushers, and motion-sensitive faucets. These technologies can enhance the utility and hygiene of the Ambient Toilet by making them more user-friendly and reducing maintenance issues .

Poor maintenance of toilets can lead to unpleasant conditions that deter usage, thereby increasing open defecation. To combat this, strategies such as regular cleaning schedules, using durable, easy-to-clean materials, and employing automated facilities like self-cleaning systems and sensory-activated devices could maintain hygiene and increase user adherence .

The Ambient Toilet could significantly improve health and sanitary conditions by reducing open defecation, which is linked to the spread of diseases. By creating a more appealing environment for toilet use, it encourages better sanitary practices and thereby helps in decreasing incidences of sanitation-related diseases .

Traditional Northern Nigerian architecture views enclosed toilets as inappropriate in living areas, leading to a preference for open spaces. The Ambient Toilet design integrates these cultural beliefs by replicating the feel of outdoor environments using designs like the Sahel Ambient Design, thus catering to these cultural preferences while providing a hygienic solution .

The Ambient Toilet concept can be adapted to different environmental contexts by tailoring the design to mimic local natural surroundings, such as using geodesic domes representing Sahel, Rainforest, or Sahara environments. Each design can incorporate specific materials, textures, and colors that reflect these distinct regions while integrating solar power and ventilation specific to each climate .

'Smart architecture' involves integrating intelligent systems and sustainable technologies in building design to enhance user experience and operational efficiency. In sanitary facilities, this could lead to improved hygiene, reduced maintenance costs, and increased user compliance by making toilets more accessible, comfortable, and eco-friendly, thereby transforming sanitation practices .

The Ambient Toilet leverages smart architecture and technology to create an appealing environment by using features like automatic soap dispensers, motion-sensitive flushers and faucets, and solar energy to create a sustainable and pleasant ambience that mimics open spaces, making the use of toilets more appealing and reducing open defecation .

Solar energy is crucial in ensuring the operational effectiveness of Ambient Toilets by providing a reliable power source for lighting, ventilation, and the operation of smart devices, especially in areas with unstable electricity. This sustainable energy solution enhances the functionality and appeal of these toilets while reducing reliance on conventional power grids .

Designing toilets that mimic outdoor environments may positively affect users by reducing anxiety associated with enclosed spaces and enhancing comfort and willingness to use the facilities. This approach aligns with cultural preferences for open defecation while mitigating health risks associated with such practices .

Open defecation in Nigeria is primarily due to the lack of adequate toilet facilities in public spaces and poor maintenance of existing ones, which discourages use. Additionally, some cultural beliefs view enclosed toilets as inappropriate within living spaces. The Ambient Toilet aims to address these by creating toilets that replicate outdoor environments using smart architecture and technology, making them more appealing and accessible, thereby encouraging use .

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