Public Toilets at Walden Pond

“Three Doors at Walden Pond”

This a designed for a project of public toilets at Waldon Pond, MA. Inspired by Henry David Thoreau’s reflection — “I had three chairs in my house; one for solitude, two for friendship, three for society” — this new public toilet at Walden Pond embraces the same spirit of simplicity and clarity. Each unit uses a straightforward, low-tech two-panel door system, each panel made of upper and lower panel, to express its three conditions:



One door for care: Lower door open, upper door closed — a busy moment of cleaning.

One door for privacy: Upper door closed, lower door open — someone is inside.

One door for welcome: Both doors naturally open when empty — inviting the next visitor.



Set within a serpentine form, the design echoes the rhythm of the surrounding woods. Just as Thoreau’s chairs marked different states of connection, these doors mark different states of use — a simple, mechanical language that’s easy to read, maintain, and enjoy.