The most advanced toilet in the world.

Stockholm, which was recently recognized as one of the most innovative regions of the European Union, is in the truest sense of the word a modern city and is on the ever-growing list of the so-called „Smart Cities“ of the world. The Swedish capital stretches across fourteen islands and not only boasts some of the best universities in the world, but also hosts the annual awarding of the Nobel Prize in various disciplines. It is Scandinavia’s cultural and political center and „one of the most productive metropolitan regions in the world,“ according to JPMorgan Chase. And now this city even claims the world’s most modern toilet as its own.

In recent years, the Nordic Center for Design and Innovation has thus added another title to its many awards: Thanks to Wall GmbH, a German company that designed fifty high-tech toilets for the Swedish capital in 2016, the city is now home to „the most innovative public toilet in the world.“

„The development time for such a project is usually 24 months,“ says Michael Wittner, technical director of Wall GmbH. Stockholm gave them six. And as if that weren’t enough, the city required that the size of the finished overall structure be only slightly larger than the interior of the toilet. The innovative technology therefore had to be accommodated in the smallest possible space. But necessity is the mother of invention, and instead of being hindered by the requirements, the challenge inspired Wittner and his team. The end result was unprecedented.

„Hygienic“ is not what usually comes to mind when thinking of public toilets—exactly what Wall GmbH wanted to change. After each use, a thin layer of water flows over the floor and thoroughly disinfects every centimeter. At the same time, a flap opens behind the toilet bowl, deploying a special attachment that fits exactly onto the bowl and dips it into a highly effective disinfectant. In addition, the toilet seat is antibacterial and non-stick. Impressively, the entire cleaning process uses only one liter of water. The interior is completely disinfected every night, and built-in laser sensors ensure that cleaning never takes place while someone is still inside the toilet cubicle.

Stockholm is a city that values design: more than 90 of the total 110 subway stations were designed by around 150 different artists. As a result, the 105.7 km long network of the „Tunnelbana“ became known as the longest art gallery in the world. And so, the designers also placed great importance on the toilets’ well-maintained exterior appearance, which was to blend harmoniously into the modern and historical architecture of the city.

The Nordic winters are often harsh, with average temperatures dropping below freezing. Thus, the transparent heating film embedded in the ceiling is an essential element to ensure comfort. However, proper insulation is not only important for a pleasantly warm ambient temperature during use. More importantly, it is also about preventing heat from escaping and avoiding energy waste.

This is where one of the toilet’s most innovative features comes into play: the automatic sliding doors. Opening and closing is done with a hand movement, the doors are insulated and keep the warmth inside. Operation by sensor also means that germ transmission is largely prevented: crucial given the high germ loads that surfaces of publicly accessible sanitary facilities generally exhibit. The sensors also serve as a safety feature, ensuring that the doors do not close as long as someone is still in the doorway.

Stockholm, referred to as „the unicorn factory“ not only by the Financial Times, continuously improves the quality of life of its residents through a holistic and design-oriented approach. While the importance of the Nordic capital continues to grow on a cultural and economic level—as well as in the field of public sanitary facilities as a market leader—other cities around the world are still searching for new inspiration.