BostonLoo
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Boston Loo
The Boston Loo solves Boston's public toilet crisis with sustainable honeycomb-inspired design. It integrates digital maintenance systems connecting all stakeholders. The project transforms neglected infrastructure into civic assets reflecting Boston's hospitality.
ROLE
USER EXPERIENCE
VISUAL DESIGN
PROTOTYPING
SUSTAINABILITY DESIGN
3D MODELLING
TYPE
M.DES PROJECT | SOLO
TOOLS USED
FIGMA
3D PRINTER
GOOGLE SUITE
PROBLEM STATEMENT
Boston in sanitation crisis
Boston faces a critical shortage of functional public restrooms, with all seven existing freestanding facilities being non-operational, creating accessibility issues for residents and visitors while reflecting poorly on the city's public infrastructure and hospitality.
SOLUTION
Reimagining Public Restrooms System For A Sustainable City
The Boston Loo project addresses Boston's critical lack of functional public toilets with a biomimicry-inspired, sustainable design featuring honeycomb structures and water conservation systems.
It includes a comprehensive digital maintenance platform connecting government, workers, and citizens to ensure ongoing functionality.
The initiative transforms neglected infrastructure into civic assets that reflect Boston's hospitality while promoting sustainability through cradle-to-cradle design principles.
STRATEGY
Solid research approach
I analyzed Boston's public toilet infrastructure through city data collection, visited all 7 existing locations, and conducted interviews with diverse users including tourists, non-binary individuals, parents, and elderly residents. I benchmarked successful models from other cities and examined maintenance systems to understand the complete ecosystem surrounding public facilities.
Secondary Research
I analyzed public data on United State's toilet infrastructure, revealing only 8 toilets per 100,000 people According to the Public Toilet Index, a 2021 report by the British company QS Supplies.
Boston have just 7 freestanding units citywide according to City of Boston
https://www.boston.gov/.
I examined the Health of Boston 2023 Community Assets Report which highlighted disparities in restroom availability across neighborhoods.
I also studied successful models from other cities like Portland Loo and San Francisco AmenPods.
Understanding the "Why"
When authorities didn't respond to my meeting requests about Boston's failed public restrooms, I took to the streets to interview locals about why these facilities weren't functioning.
I conducted interviews across diverse demographics representing different needs:
-
Tourists
-
Parents with young children
-
On-site professionals
-
Elderly residents
What did we find ?
Cleanliness Concerns
Users describe facilities as "smelly" and "dirty," with parents and elderly avoiding them due to health risks
Limited Accessibility
Few ADA-compliant options and most restrooms hidden in private businesses requiring purchases
Safety Issues
Poor lighting and isolated locations create security concerns, especially for women and at night
Payment Frustrations
Pay-to-use systems create barriers, particularly when payment machines malfunction
Lack of Inclusivity
Insufficient gender-inclusive options and absence of basic hygiene products
Poor Information
Inadequate signage and online resources force reliance on unofficial sources like Yelp
City Image Impact
Substandard restroom conditions negatively reflect on Boston's hospitality and tourism experience
How might we create sustainable public restrooms for Boston that remain functional year-round, require minimal maintenance, and positively reflect the city's commitment to hospitality and accessibility for all residents and visitors?
Ideation
Building on our research insights, I explored diverse solutions through rapid ideation. I began with biomimicry principles, drawing inspiration from honeycomb structures for their strength and efficiency. I sketched multiple concepts focusing on sustainability, ease of maintenance, and inclusive design.
TESTING
Water Conservation System
I created a 3D-printed hexagonal grid prototype to test water collection capabilities. The test was successful when sprayed with water (simulating rainfall), the structure effectively captured and retained moisture.
Based on this promising result, I calculated the potential impact for a full-scale implementation:
Water Conservation Potential
-
Proposed dimensions: 6ft × 10.5ft (1.8m × 3.2m)
-
Boston's average annual rainfall: 44 inches (1,118mm)
-
Collection area: 5.76 square meters
-
Annual collection potential: 6.44 cubic meters ≈ 1,700 gallons per year
This significant water conservation feature would reduce Boston Loo's environmental footprint while creating a sustainable water supply for facility maintenance and operation.
Put in your task details with date, toilet code and current pictures before cleaning.
Checklist for cleaning, so that nothing is missed and the cleaning is spot on
Employee can select the specific date, time of the reporting with the code of that toilet.
Employee can see their upcoming duties and completed duties
What I learned ?
Systems Thinking
Working with systems thinking allowed me to see beyond isolated facilities to understand how public restrooms exist within interconnected networks of maintenance, social issues, and city infrastructure.
Read is a Brilliant Source
Reading Cradle to Cradle fundamentally shifted my design approach from merely minimizing environmental harm to creating solutions that actively benefit both people and ecological systems.
Explore
I discovered the power of field research, as visiting all seven locations and interviewing diverse users provided insights no secondary research could reveal.
Digital-Physical Integration
Developing digital-physical hybrid solutions taught me to integrate traditional infrastructure with technology platforms, creating more robust and maintainable systems.
Let's work together
Reach out at ssinghmanvi@gmail.com. I have an inbox zero rule so I’ll see your message for sure and, I’ll reply with at least one smiley.
Primary
Research
I conducted field visits to all 7 existing public toilet locations in Boston to document their condition, finding none in proper working order.
I interviewed diverse users including tourists, non-binary individuals, parents with young children, on-site professionals, and elderly residents to understand pain points and needs.
Field Analysis Table
At Central Wharf on Atlantic Avenue
Conditional timing
At 2 Long Wharf
Out of service
At the EDIC
Out of service
In Shipyard Park Charlestown
Out of order
On Congress Street
No accessibility
At Roxbury and Dudley Square
No acceessibility
FIELD ANALYSIS
PROOF COLLECTION
City Image and Tourism Impact
Inadequate restroom access negatively affects Boston's reputation among visitors. Better facilities would enhance the city's hospitality and civic pride.
03
Poor Maintenance Leading to Elimination
Insufficient maintenance has resulted in Boston's public restroom failures. Even "self-cleaning" facilities need dedicated oversight to function properly.
01
Boston-Specific Design Needs
Standard solutions like Portland Loo don't address Boston's unique climate and safety concerns. We need designs tailored to local conditions and diverse users.
02
ACTIONABLE INSIGHTS
From Findings to Design
By analyzing patterns across diverse user experiences, I identified that Boston's public restroom crisis goes beyond broken facilities to reveal systemic maintenance failures, climate-specific design needs, and negative impacts on city image. These insights directly shaped my Boston Loo solution, addressing both immediate user pain points and underlying sustainability challenges.
LOW FIDELITY PROTOTYPE
Maintenance System Portal
My first prototype explored a digital solution connecting key stakeholders in public restroom maintenance. I made dirty mockups for worker, city official, and public interfaces, mapping connections of the system. This early prototype visualized how real-time reporting, task assignment, and accountability tracking could function within a unified platform, addressing the critical maintenance failures identified in my research.
LOW FIDELITY PROTOTYPE
New Public Restoom that suits Boston
For my physical redesign concept, I created rough sketch of the Boston Loo. This prototype incorporated biomimicry-inspired honeycomb structures for strength and sustainability, modular maintenance panels, and climate adaptations for Boston's winter conditions. I focused on improving upon the Portland Loo's successful elements while addressing Boston-specific challenges through innovative material and structural choices.
HIGH FIDELITY
City Website
This web platform connects users, maintenance teams, and city officials in one ecosystem. Users can locate functional restrooms, report issues, and access information about availability and features. The portal enhances transparency by displaying maintenance schedules and operational status of each facility, helping build public trust through accountability.
The is home page showcases the "Boston Loo" as city pride with a beautiful introduction.
We want to tell our city why Boston Loo is the best choice for our city. A sustainable design with climate adaptable design and water conservation system.
You can all the locations of installed Boston Loos across city for easy accessibility and transparency.
We can post and see reviews
"What people say". In clear format users can see clear statistics here
Explore job opportunities and be a part of the restroom management system
Explore latest city news around the "Boston Loo" project
To be more impactful and calculate the success, you can drop your thoughts and suggestions via email
You can donate for this initiative and be part of city development and pride
This page outlines the structured cleaning and maintenance strategy for public restrooms, ensuring hygiene and efficiency through a dedicated team and regular cleaning cycles.
HIGH FIDELITY PROTOTYPE
Employee
Maintenance App
The companion mobile application empowers maintenance staff with real-time task assignments, maintenance protocols, and reporting capabilities. It streamlines the workflow by prioritizing urgent repairs, tracking completion times, and gathering operational data to identify recurring issues. This system transforms maintenance from reactive to proactive, ensuring consistent functionality and extending the lifespan of each Boston Loo unit.
PRODUCT PROTOTYPE
The Boston Loo
Drawing inspiration from biomimicry, our sustainable public restroom features a honeycomb structure that's both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The design includes solar panels, water conservation systems, and durable materials specifically engineered for Boston's climate. The hexagonal water collection grid not only provides structural strength but also harvests rainwater, collecting approximately 1,700 gallons annually per unit.
