MArch student honoured in TO the Loo! Design Competition

M.Arch student Armando Macias Gutierrez earned the runner-up prize for reimagining urban sanitation as inclusive, artistic infrastructure. Developed in collaboration with YIMBY Studio (external link) , the design, entitled Loopty Loo, responded to the Toronto Public Space Committee’s call for proposals to the Toronto Toilet Challenge (external link) .

The Loopty Loo is a 540-square-foot circular public washroom designed as essential social infrastructure for inclusive, accessible cities. Inspired by maneuvering radii, the looped structure houses six fully-enclosed, individual gender-neutral washrooms - one which is universal. The Loopty Loo prioritizes privacy, accessibility, and dignity.

The radial layout is divided into seven distinct portions, each color-coded and contributing to the building’s striking exterior – a rainbow gradient that wraps around the façade. These colours celebrate the diversity of users while serving as both a wayfinding tool and a playful, welcoming gesture to passersby. “Sun Snorkels” peek up from the Loopty Loo, bringing daylight into the washrooms while maintaining privacy for users. They also serve as beacons for those in search of a Loo.

The circular form of the Loopty Loo symbolizes continuity and community, while also allowing

for easy maintenance at the centre of the loop where the toilets are accessed. By providing individual enclosed washrooms with security features such as emergency lighting and window shutters that close upon occupancy, privacy and safety are emphasized.

There is also a single-user 90-square-foot version of the multi-user Loopty Loo hub. This fully-accessible unit is complete with a baby change table, sharps disposal, and other fittings from the Safer Bathrooms Toolkit.

Scattered across the city in a variety of vibrant “ROYGBIV” rainbow colours, the playful Loopty Loos would bring not only relief but delight to Torontonians. 

According to Armando, “Loopty Loo reflects our belief that public sanitation can be more than utilitarian, it can embody values of equity, accessibility, and belonging. By reimagining the washroom as inclusive social infrastructure, we aimed to create space that prioritizes dignity and safety while contributing to the vibrancy of the city. Ultimately, we wanted to flip the script on public washrooms— from something people avoid to something they’re excited to discover.” 

Loopty Loo is showcased in a free exhibition, together with all the winning and shortlisted submissions, at 401 Richmond St West until August 30th, 2025.