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中島 健太郎

[Road of SKYSQUARE-009-] Trying to make a DIY portable toilet!!!

Temporary toilets

hello

This is Nakajima from AZSTOKE Co., Ltd.

To do various things at SKYSQUARE, we first need a toilet, so we decided to make one!!! Table of Contents

■ Production Background

It looks like it will be some time before any buildings can be constructed on the SKYSQUARE land.

The first thing we needed to do was install toilets so that we could continue our research during that time.

However, once the building was constructed, the toilets would no longer be needed, so something as simple as possible was best, and it wasn't worth the monthly rent for a temporary toilet. However, with the temporary tents, there were problems such as rain and insects getting in.

So I wanted a toilet that was a bit more sturdy.

However, since I anticipate having to dispose of it, I wanted to create it at as low a cost as possible, so I came up with a plan to create a DIY temporary toilet.


First, we considered what materials to use.

I once did a DIY project using an erector pipe for a different purpose. The joints of that erector pipe had all been disassembled and stored in a warehouse at home.

I thought that if I used that, I could make it cheaper.


This time, we are not disclosing the size of the erector pipes, etc.

I made it simply by estimating the size, so I don't have exact measurements.

The resulting dimensions were: width: 60cm, depth: 90cm, height: 190cm.

Although it is quite arbitrary, it can be used without any problems and is effective enough.

Leftover erector pipe
Leftover erector pipe

■Purchases

We decided to use the remaining erector pipes for the frame, and thought that plastic cardboard would be the best material to cover it, taking into account future disposal.

However, this time I wanted to make it cheaply, so I wanted to use the cheapest materials possible, so I first looked around at a home improvement store.

What I found there was a protective sheet made from plastic cardboard.


Each sheet costs only 140 yen excluding tax, and although it is the same size as regular plastic cardboard, each sheet costs 860 yen excluding tax, but by using it as a protective sheet, each sheet is a quarter of that price, so you can buy four and still have change.

Since I wasn't too concerned about the appearance, I decided that quantity was more important than quality this time, and used protective sheeting.

I also purchased double-sided tape and waterproof tape to join the pieces together.


>Purchased parts

Protective sheet x 8

Double-sided tape x 1

Waterproof tape x 1

Erector pipe joint parts x 8

Weight Brick x 6


■Preparation -Cutting the pipe-

We wanted to prepare as much as possible and create a style that could be assembled on site, so we figured out a way to make it work using some spare pipes and cut them to fit.

I had a cutter for the erector pike, so I used that to adjust the length. I didn't measure the length of this one either.

To make them the same size, I lined them up side by side and cut them to size.

To be honest it was a pain so I worked quickly.

Cut the erector pipe
Cut the erector pipe

■Preparation -Ground of protective sheet-

The next step was to work on the ground. When building a toilet, it means that if it rains or there are insects crawling on the ground, they will be able to get in.

Since it's a bit tricky, I thought it would be better to have a system that could cover the ground as well, so I modified the protective sheet.

I made something like a simple box.

We created this with the idea of placing the Erector pipes used on the ground on top of a protective sheet and creating a box to fit it.

It turned out much sturdier than I expected, so it turned out very well.

The ground is covered with a protective sheet.
The ground is covered with a protective sheet.

■Preparation -Ceiling with protective sheet-

I had the idea that if I made another one of these and put it on top, it would create a ceiling, so I made the second one in advance using the same method as the ground.

Once the I-beam pipes were cut and the protective sheet was processed, we decided to transport them to the site and assemble them.

The ceiling is also covered with protective sheeting.
The ceiling is also covered with protective sheeting.

■ Local production -Production location-

Once we had confirmed where we wanted to place it at SKYSQUARE, we finalized the production location.

※In the end, it didn't really matter where I was. I could move around.

Planned construction site
Planned construction site

■ Local production - Assembly ① -

Assembly has begun.

The work begins with setting up the ground and then connecting the erector pipes.

There were some slight differences in size, but since this was just a rough DIY project, I was just thinking that as long as it could be used as a toilet, it would be fine. I forced the pieces together where they didn't quite fit together and continued setting it up.

Temporary toilet assembly ①
Temporary toilet assembly ①

■ Local production - Assembly ② -

The walls are installed by simply folding the protective sheet and securing the gaps with tape.

The good thing here was that the inside of the protective sheet was actually warm.

I thought it might have been perfect for this season.

Temporary toilet assembly ②
Temporary toilet assembly ②

■ Local production - Assembly ③ -

We wired the lights from the ceiling, and installed a frame at the entrance to make it possible to install a door so that it could be fixed in place. Once we reach the ceiling, it's almost in sight.

Temporary toilet assembly ③
Temporary toilet assembly ③

■Local production -Solar power-

The toilets are used at night, so lights are essential.

The design allows for a solar-powered light to be connected to the ceiling, eliminating the need for batteries.

As for the lights themselves, I thought I could use the lights I had bought previously for outdoor use, so I reused them and set them up.


I purchased the light products from Nafco, a home improvement store, as that was the closest.

*It took me a while to realise that the light switch was just beyond the light itself.

Portable toilets Solar power generation
Portable toilets Solar power generation

■ Local production - Door -

I started making the door. This was a bit of a struggle.

Unlike other walls, it has to move.

It needs to be able to stand on its own as much as possible and function as a door.

However, the only material we had was a weak protective sheet, so we reinforced it with tape and wooden battens.

The result is weak, but I guess this is fine if I'm going to throw it away in the future.

If I were to be greedy, it would have been better to use expensive plastic cardboard for just this part.

This time I'm focusing on cheap so this is fine.

Installation of doors to temporary toilets
Installation of doors to temporary toilets

■ Local production - Bricks -

Finally, the bricks.

The purpose of placing the bricks is to prevent the toilet from tipping over, as the weight is placed on the entire toilet.

Considering that if you only have protective sheets and erector pipes, they will be blown away when the wind is strong,

I thought about adding weights.

I considered putting a weight on the outside to make it easier to attach, and came up with this method when I was making the protective sheet for the ground.

I thought this would make the ground look stylish and also add weight, so I thought it would produce good results, and it turned out just fine.

The ground was formed by placing six 30x30 bricks.


Brick
Brick

■ Local production -Completion-

It's finally finished.

I'm glad that it turned out better than I expected.

I didn't need to buy any additional erector pipes, so the total cost was less than 10,000 yen.

This temporary toilet is complete.

Temporary toilet completed①
Temporary toilet completed①
Temporary toilet completed②
Temporary toilet completed②

I used these temporary toilets several times while I was there, and they were much more comfortable than the simple tents I had been using up until then.


I'm so glad I made this!!!

We will continue to make progress with our SKYSQUARE development plans little by little.

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