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Hundertwasser Toilets in Kawakawa. Photo by W. Bulach on

Top 10 Facts about Hundertwasser Toilets

The Hundertwasser Toilets is a public toilet that is located at 60 Gillies Street on the main street of the town of Kawakawa in Northern New Zealand. This structure was completed in 1999 and was named after the architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser.

Friedensreich Hundertwasser is the person who conceived and designed this project. Hundertwasser Toilets is one of the few toilet blocks in the world which is an international work of art and tourist attraction.

The typical style of Hundertwasser consists of wavy lines, irregular ceramic tiles, integrated small sculptures, coloured glass and a live tree. Hundertwasser mainly used recycled materials to build the toilets.

Some of the materials used include the community’s spent glass bottles and bricks from a former Bank of New Zealand branch. The roof of the toilets was made of vegetation which was removed but Hundertwasser requested that it should be replanted after removal.

Hundertwasser Toilets function as normal toilets but several tourists visit to take photos and give suitable warnings before going in. There are separate men’s and women’s areas at the Hundertwasser Toilets.

Here are the top 10 Facts about Hundertwasser Toilets:

1. Designed and Built by World’s Famous Artist

Hundertwasser Toilets was an artistic idea of a famous Australian and New Zealand artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser. The facility was designed and built by this great artist who lived near Kawakawa from 1975 to 2000 when he passed on at the age of seventy.

The ideas of Friedensreich Hundertwasser were pictured in this great facility. Hundertwasser Toilets resemble his other architectural works.

2. This was the Last Project of the Artist before his Death

Hundertwasser-Toilets Kawakawa, street entrance. Photo by Reinhard Dietrich on

Friedensreich Hundertwasser was a renowned artist whose work was so intense and loved by many. He did several artworks in various parts of the world before he met his death.

The Hundertwasser Toilets project was completed in 1999. This was the last project of the visual artist before he passed on.

Hundertwasser Toilets officially opened a few months before the great artist passed away. The facility might be working bathrooms, but the positively pulchritudinous public art provided some beauty to the community while fulfilling its purpose.

3. The Facility Serves as an International Work of Art and Tourist Attraction

Hundertwasser Toilets facility is well renowned worldwide since they were officially opened in 1999. The facility is open to the public to serve its main purpose.

However, the facility is one of the few toilet blocks worldwide which is an international work of art. It is also a major tourist attraction site in its way.

Several tourists tour this area yearly to take photos of the perfect artwork as well as use them for their main purpose.

4. Hundertwasser Toilets Facility was Built in the Style of the Designer

NZ_-_Hundertwasser_Toilets_-_Inside. Photo by Genet on

The facility has been praised over the years for the design and style it was built in. This toilet block is decorative and the only project of Hundertwasser that is located in the Southern Hemisphere.

It was typically built in his style which has always been unique. Hundertwasser Toilets have wavy lines, irregular ceramic tiles, integrated small sculptures and coloured glass which complete the art of the artist. This design style of Hundertwasser has always been so magnificent and has never been replicated by any artist.

5. Recycled Materials were used to build this Facility

Friedensreich Hundertwasser has a unique way of integrating his ideas into the art he made. This is reflected in the Hundertwasser Toilets project.

He used several recycled materials rather than using newly made materials for his project. Some of the recycled materials used in the Facility include the community’s spent glass bottles and bricks from a former Bank of New Zealand. This made the project considered a cheap project that never required more finances to complete.

6. A Live Tree is Incorporated in the Centre of the Toilets

Hundertwasser Toilets, Kawakawa – the entrance. Photo by Happy Little Nomad on

Hundertwasser Toilet facility is one of the most unique projects developed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser. The artist wanted to appreciate nature and also send a message of using recycled materials to minimise population.

In this project, Hundertwasser clearly showed how to conserve nature even though there are several structures around us. In the middle of the Hundertwasser Toilets facility is a live tree. This tree has always been in its place since the official opening of this project.

7. The Toilet has a Green Roof

Hundertwasser Toilets planned to conserve clear nature. The artists also wanted to maintain the environment green even though several buildings were built.

The roof of the Hundertwasser Toilets was covered with vegetation. This was accompanied by the live tree that was planted in between.

The vegetation which was on the roof of Hundertwasser Toilets was previously removed. However, Hundertwasser requested that all the vegetation that was removed should be returned to make the building’s roof green again.

8. The Toilet is Most Photographed in New Zealand

Hundertwasser Toilets, Kawakawa – an interior. Photo by Happy Little Nomad on

Hundertwasser Toilets has always attracted thousands of tourists who come to witness the mastery of artwork of the greatest visual artist. They are the main attraction site in the Kawakawa area.

Hundertwasser Toilets are the most photographed public toilets in New Zealand. Several bus loads of tourists are usually destined to this town for this major attraction site.

9. Tourists who View the Toilets Outnumber Individuals who Use the Facility

Kawakawa is a small town in New Zealand where the Hundertwasser Toilets are located. The population here is not that high and can be outnumbered by the tourists who visit.

The number of tourists who visit the area to have a tour around the Hundertwasser Toilets is usually high. It is claimed that the number of tourists who visit the toilets outnumbers the number of people who use them.

10. There are the Standard Stalls for Men and Women

These toilets were designed in 1997 by Austrian-born Friedensreich Hundertwasser in the Gaudi style. As you do. Photo by Phil Whitehouse on

Hundertwasser Toilets were not built as a tourist attraction site but for public use. Friedensreich ensured that there are stalls for both men and women.

The men’s stalls have the urinary system and the inside section. The women’s side has the inside section only.

Tourists have to give a clear signal before entering either stall of the toilets. They are perfectly maintained in the years they have been in service.

Hundertwasser Toilets might have been one of the underrated projects but turned out to be a great tourist destination for many. The locals enjoy the purpose of these toilets as well as feel the beauty which is expressed by the tourists.