The Hundertwasser Toilets
Designed by the eccentric Austrian artist and architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser, these public restrooms are a vibrant masterpiece of quirky architecture and eco-friendly design. Featuring colorful mosaics, uneven floors, bottle walls, and a living tree growing right through the structure, it is perhaps the only working public toilet in the world that functions as a major international art destination.
- Admission
- Free
- Hours
- Open 24 hours daily
- Duration
- 15 to 30 minutes
- Parking
- Street parking available nearby along the main road in downtown Kawakawa
- Access
- Accessible public restroom facilities are integrated into the building
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Tucked away in the small Northland town of Kawakawa, the Hundertwasser Toilets stand as one of New Zealand's most extraordinary functional artworks. Designed by the visionary Austrian-born artist and architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser, who made his home nearby in the Bay of Islands, these public restrooms transform a mundane amenity into a whimsical, living sculpture.
The project began in the late 1990s as a community initiative to revitalize Kawakawa's main street. Hundertwasser, a passionate environmentalist and champion of organic architecture, embraced the commission with characteristic enthusiasm. It would be his final completed architectural work before his death in 2000, funded by the local district council with substantial volunteer labor and donated materials from the community.
Visitors encountering the building are immediately struck by its refusal of straight lines. The exterior features undulating walls embedded with colorful recycled glass bottles, vibrant ceramic tiles arranged in striking mosaics, and whimsical golden cupolas. A living tree grows directly through the roof, anchoring the structure firmly in Hundertwasser's philosophy of harmony between humanity and nature, which dictates that humans are merely guests of the earth.
Inside, the attention to detail continues. No two tiles are placed alike, the floors feature uneven, massage-like cobblestones embedded in concrete, and even the porcelain fixtures and stained-glass windows contribute to the immersive, kaleidoscopic environment. Far from a mere novelty, the restrooms are fully operational, meticulously maintained, and used by thousands of travelers driving State Highway 1 every year.
Ratings
roadside attractionLore & References
- The Final MasterpieceLocals proudly note that this humble public amenity was the last architectural project completed by the artist before his passing.
Visitor Tips
- ◆ Stop here when driving between Whangarei and the far North; it makes for a memorable rest stop.
- ◆ Take time to look at the exterior mosaics closely to spot the recycled glass bottles and hand-crafted ceramics.
- ◆ Respect the space as a functioning public restroom while taking photographs.
- ◆ Explore the rest of Kawakawa's main street, which also features architectural touches influenced by the artist.
Heads Up
Common questions
Can you actually use the Hundertwasser Toilets in Kawakawa?
Yes, they are fully functioning public restrooms that are still in daily use. They were designed by the famous Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser as his final project.
Are the Hundertwasser Toilets free to visit?
Yes, using and visiting the toilets is completely free of charge. Donations are sometimes accepted for maintenance, but there is no admission fee.
Why are the Hundertwasser Toilets famous?
They are internationally renowned as a work of functional art featuring vibrant mosaic tiles, recycled glass bottles, curved walls, and living trees growing directly through the structure.