On April 16, the winners of the 18th edition of the Sony World Photography Awards were announced during a ceremony held in London. Among the highlights of the event was the announcement of the top prize in the architecture and design category, which was awarded to Ulana Switucha, a Hong Kong-based Canadian photographer. Her winning series, titled “The Tokyo Toilet Project,” captured a unique blend of functionality, innovation, and architectural artistry.
Rather than focusing on traditional or utilitarian structures, Switucha’s subject matter consisted of 17 public toilets in Tokyo that were redesigned and rebuilt between 2018 and 2023. The project was part of an urban renewal initiative led by the Shibuya municipal government in collaboration with the Nippon Foundation. The toilets were conceived and executed by 16 renowned architects and designers, including internationally acclaimed figures such as Tadao Ando and Kengo Kuma.
Switucha described her experience documenting the series as both an artistic and deeply human journey. She personally visited each of the 17 toilets, immersing herself in their stories and the philosophies behind their designs. “I think the actual subject matter is the beauty and the art,” she said. “It was a really good story to pull together in a series, and I was very privileged and honoured to have won the award with that set.”
What makes the project truly stand out is how each toilet embodies a distinct concept. Switucha recalled one particularly striking example: a toilet made entirely of transparent glass that becomes opaque when the door is locked, balancing privacy with an engaging design. Another toilet resembles an igloo and features voice-activated technology, showcasing how creativity and modern engineering can transform even the most utilitarian spaces.
The series goes beyond documentation; it celebrates innovation in public infrastructure and challenges preconceived notions of what design in everyday life can achieve. By highlighting how aesthetics, accessibility, and function can coexist, Switucha’s work invites viewers to see public spaces through a new lens. Her thoughtful and elegant approach to this unconventional subject matter ultimately earned her top honours, reinforcing the idea that beauty and artistic value can be found in even the most unexpected places.
READ MORE: