AM MUSINGS

Commode Commodity - Italian Toilet

5/13/2011

 
Picture
 

John Ruskin, the  19th century English author, wrote that architecture had three essential elements, "Firmness, Commodity, and Delight".  It means firmness in terms of structural integrity, commodity in terms of function, and delight in being pleasing to the eye.  This Italian toilet has all three.

In this country, people are hesitant to mix modern elements in the midst of a historical environment.  The safe route is to restore it to look as thought it may have always been that way.  In Europe where historical elements are everywhere, they are much more confidant contrasting modern elements against the historical elements.  This public toilet stall has a translucent glass door, standard door hardware, and a simple protective door strike at the mosaic tile wall.  It's  unusually nice for a "public" toilet, more interestingly, it's located in a 17th century mansion, villa d'este at Tivoli Gardens - a world heritage site outside of Rome.  As you exit the toilet your back in the 17th century villa sharpening the contrast and appreciation for both.  

Having made use of the commodity aspects of this stall, I snapped this picture.
1 Comment
Chris
5/14/2011 02:17:49 pm

Cardinal delight
Old and new - ancient envy
Rome is everywhere

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    About

    RSS Feed

    Catagories

    All
    Accessibility
    A D A
    Alex
    Architect
    Architecture
    Art
    Asian
    Asian Art Museum Docent Training
    Books
    Ceramic Tile
    Chinese
    Chris
    Codes
    Colors
    Composition
    Counter Culture
    Design
    Edward Mock
    Europe
    Fashion
    Food
    Garden
    Handrails
    Historical Preservation
    Ice Cream
    India
    In The Realm Of The Senses
    Italy
    Katie
    Leed
    Lighting
    London
    Maui
    May Mock
    Milan
    Miscellaneous
    Mission Bay
    Mock Family History
    Mock/Wallace Architects
    Music
    Neon
    New York
    North Beach
    Oakland
    Paella
    Paris
    Photography
    Pine Street Remodel
    Products
    Restaurants
    San Francisco
    San Francisco Planning Commission
    Shibui
    Soma
    Spain
    Sustainable Design
    Swimming
    The Making Of An Architect
    U C S F

    Archives

    October 2020
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    June 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011

    Blogs I follow
    The Sartorialist
    My Paris
    Design Observer 

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Ahn Mock Musings
    • Recipes
  • Mock/Wallace Architects
  • Ahn Mock Musings
    • Recipes
  • Mock/Wallace Architects