Each individual is a single part: a member - that makes up a larger whole: society. However, the power in society is not shared by all individuals that make up the society. This can result in conflicts where the over arching whole of society does not serve the interests or meet the needs of the individual members that make up that whole. The changing dynamic of the city and the ever-emerging global influence can impose policies and forces that leave some individuals in society displaced. Displaced individuals seek to make use of whatever resources are available to live their lives. By examining the ways which displaced members of society attempt to make use of available public resources and the potential loss of one's habitat, this thesis seeks to create potential by claiming unused public space and confront public policies that prevent their use by all citizens.The circumstance surrounding the claiming of unused or void public spaces brings about conflict especially with the government that owns it. Displaced people will ultimately find a way to shelter themselves, but how does the government (and the society it serves and represents) respond to such actions by its own people?

PROGRAM STATEMENT:

public washroom proposal

a public washroom is an interesting problem facing urban cities. on the one hand, it meets a very real need that often arises and that everyone can identify with. on the other hand, it presents problems of maintenance and management. no one wants to clean up another person's mess.

public washrooms are a human right. to deny the use of a washroom is inhumane. if having to go is a natural human condition and there are no public washrooms to meet that need, and it is illegal to go in public anywhere other than a washroom, the problem cycles back on itself.

a civilized society will address this need in some way. the problem of a permanent toilet is the issues of maintenance, security, vandalism, etc. the public washroom houses a true public need that all of society experiences. how can the public washroom properly address all the people using the facility? a true public washroom is open to the public. therefore, a wide range of people will end up interacting with each other on some sort of level. the following will be things I intend to explore:

" the disjunction between the homeless person and society -
" integrate and provide public service to all
" random interaction between different people brought together for the same reason
" class matters, but doesn't matter because the actions and event of the washroom levels everyone to the same base of human
" steam pipe exhaust reclamation for heat and water use
" relationship to inside/outside. what is public? what is private? a public toilet is a very private thing.
" security concerns, maintenance and upkeep (private/public again in some ways)

actions/events:
going to the toilet, smells
washing hands, sounds - drying hands - feel, texture
awkwardness - vision, smell,
strangers - public place, but private events