mirrored surfaces extend swiss landscapes in BARAKI’s public toilet renovation

BARAKI’s approach introduces a large mirrored stainless steel surface that conceals the wc cubicle joints.

BARAKI edited by thomai tsimpou October 17, 2024 4 min

BARAKI renovates 1980s public toilets in switzerland

BARAKI Architecture and Engineering transforms the public toilets at the Gruyère rest area in Fribourg, originally built in the late 1980s, in the Merya project. Designed in the spirit of post-modernism, the original complex reinterpreted vernacular materials and architectural elements, featuring a masonry base of reinforced concrete with an exterior facing of local river pebbles. A laminated timber frame supports the two-sloped roof, resulting in a triangular volume with an offset that forms a covered square at the entrance. This space offers views of the Lac de Gruyère lake and the Fribourg Pre-Alps, with four oblique beams anchoring the structure. BARAKI’s approach introduces a large mirrored stainless steel surface that conceals the WC cubicle joints while reflecting the surrounding landscape, creating an impression of infinite space. The reflective material blends the building into its environment, minimizing the visual impact of new materials.

mirrored surfaces extend swiss landscapes in BARAKI’s public toilet renovation - 1 — all images by Matthieu Croizier, courtesy of BARAKI architecture and engineering

Merya features metal and stainless steel furniture

Merya responds to the client’s desire to renovate outdated sanitary facilities and improve their functionality. Swiss studio BARAKI replaced the internal circulation with direct access from the covered entrance square to individual WC cubicles to make maintenance easier and ensure safety and user comfort. Though the client sought practical upgrades, they allowed architectural freedom, enabling the design team to integrate the design with the existing structure in a creative way.

Inside, the cubicles feature a clean, modern aesthetic with stainless steel walls and automated features, contrasting with the abstract exterior. At the front, urban furniture, designed in collaboration with Elie Fazel and Valentin Sieber of multidisciplinary design office Work Matter, enhances the covered square, encouraging visitors to linger. The metal and stainless steel furniture is integrated into prefabricated concrete blocks, adding functionality and comfort.

mirrored surfaces extend swiss landscapes in BARAKI’s public toilet renovation - 2 — BARAKI Architecture and Engineering transforms the public toilets at the Gruyère rest area in Fribourg

mirrored surfaces extend swiss landscapes in BARAKI’s public toilet renovation - 3 — the stucture was originally built in the late 1980s

mirrored surfaces extend swiss landscapes in BARAKI’s public toilet renovation - 4 — designed in the spirit of post-modernism, the original complex reinterpreted vernacular materials

mirrored surfaces extend swiss landscapes in BARAKI’s public toilet renovation - 5 — featuring a masonry base of reinforced concrete with an exterior facing of local river pebbles

mirrored-surfaces-swiss-landscapes-baraki-renovation-public-toilets-10-17-2024-designboom-1800-02 — a laminated timber frame supports the two-sloped roof

mirrored surfaces extend swiss landscapes in BARAKI’s public toilet renovation - 6 — urban furniture, designed in collaboration with the multidisciplinary design office Work Matter

mirrored surfaces extend swiss landscapes in BARAKI’s public toilet renovation - 7 — Merya offers views of the Lac de Gruyère lake and the Fribourg Pre-Alps

mirrored surfaces extend swiss landscapes in BARAKI’s public toilet renovation - 8 — a triangular volume with an offset forms a covered square at the entrance

mirrored-surfaces-swiss-landscapes-baraki-renovation-public-toilets-10-17-2024-designboom-1800 — metal and stainless steel furniture is integrated into prefabricated concrete blocks

the reflective material blends the building into its environment four oblique beams anchor the structure Merya responds to the client’s desire to renovate outdated sanitary facilities BARAKI replaced the internal circulation with direct access from the entrance square to individual WC cubicles though the client sought practical upgrades, they allowed architectural freedom BARAKI’s approach introduces a large mirrored stainless steel surface floor plan by BARAKI location plan by BARAKI section by BARAKI

project info:

name: Merya
architect: BARAKI architecture and engineering | @baraki.ch
location: Gruyère, Fribourg, Switzerland
furniture design: WORK MATTER | @workmatter, Elie Fazel | @eliefazel, Valentin Sieber | @valentin_sieber
photographer: Matthieu Croizier | @matthieucroizier

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