Lifestyle

See-Through Washrooms Raise Eyebrows in Sulphur Springs, Texas

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Tony Maples Photography

 

The small Texas town of Sulphur Springs made headlines in 2012 with the unveiling of the first public washroom with see-through walls. Yes, you read that right. They unveiled the restrooms as a usable art installation in the courthouse square, resembling a large, mirrored box. Constructed with one-way glass, which allows users to see everyone outside, but not the other way around, the facilities can be used in the day or the night (thanks to exterior illumination) without fear of being seen.

See-Through Washrooms Raise Eyebrows in Sulphur Springs, Texas

Photo: Facebook/305 Florida Contractors

The first question one might have is, “Why?” The answer to that, however is very simple. The town had entered a “best restroom” competition (which Buc-ees unfortunately, or fortunately, won) which was judged on a number of line items. The next question you may ask is, “Who would use such a thing?” And the answer is quite a few apparently.

See-Through Washrooms Raise Eyebrows in Sulphur Springs, Texas

Photo: Facebook/Marked Metal Design

The unveiling marked America’s, if not the world’s first functional, code-compliant glass bathrooms. They’re constructed in a manner where the user can always see out (why on Earth that would be a thrill is beyond the rational person who can often have a hard time peeing in a private bathroom much less a very public one such as this) and they cost the town of Sulphur Springs $54,000.

See-Through Washrooms Raise Eyebrows in Sulphur Springs, Texas

Photo: Facebook/Sara Ibanez Interior Design

It’s not at all unsafe, as your next question of “What about a measure of privacy?” might lend reference to. To preserve this, the town has had nine security cameras installed, which are monitored by police, which don’t see users of the facilities as much as they monitor to ensure no one is able to somehow breach the one-way bathroom glass using higher-voltage lighting or somehow drill peepholes and whatnot. The design includes handicap accessibility as well as clean, stainless steel fixtures.

Would you use such a thing as the Sulphur Springs see-through restrooms?

Sources:

Best Restroom
Texas Monthly
Dallas Observer