SUWON, South Korea - Generally relegated to the far and hidden corners of a house, or even outside in rural areas, toilets have never been given the attention they deserve.
But on a chilly November morning the toilet finally took center stage in Suwon, about 40 kilometers from Seoul, to the delight and curiosity of an adoring crowd. Holding onto ceremonial gold ropes, excited guests pulled off the cloth canopy that covered the
world's first "Toilet House" at the shout of "Haewoojae!" from the crowd.
"Haewoojae" literally means "a place where one can solve one's worries" and this toilet bowl-shaped house is about to become a symbol for a movement that is aimed at solving one of the world's most pressing problems - toilet sanitation.
Built by Korean National Assembly representative Sim Jae-duck to commemorate the World Toilet Association's (WTAA's) general assembly to be held from November 21 to 25 in the capital city of Seoul, the Toilet House epitomizes everything for which the World Toilet Association stands.
"We want the Haewoojae to change the unpleasant concepts surrounding toilets and the misperceptions about toilets. We should learn to go beyond seeing toilets as just a place for defecation, but also as a toilet rackof culture where people can rest, meditate and be happy," said Sim, who proudly calls himself "Mr Toilet". He is also the chairman of the organizing committee of the WTAA inauguration.
In a nutshell, the chairman's goals in building this one-of-a-kind residence are to raise awareness about the importance of water and sanitation and, through fund-raising projects and dialogs with different groups, help provide toilets in countries lacking in proper toilet facilities.
