Ghent has to say goodbye to ironic landmark

The public toilet shaped like a toilet paper roll next to the Design Museum needs to find a new home

Recently, the Belgian city of Ghent issued an open call to citizens to see if anyone would like to adopt an iconic structure from the city centre -  a giant toilet paper roll with a public toilet inside. The toilet paper roll has been a staple of central Ghent for the past 17 years. It was placed on a vacant lot next to the Design Museum in anticipation of the construction of a new wing.

Now, as construction is set to start on 6 March 2022, the roll is in need of a saviour, as well as a new home.

Keeping it close to home

Ghent Alderman of Culture, Sami Souguir has said that he would rather not see the iconic city landmark moved to another city, or worse- destroyed. In his statement, he called upon the citizen volunteers to take the toilet paper roll free of charge. However, the new owners will be responsible for moving the structure.

It was constructed back in 2004 to fill the vacant lot next to the Design Museum to serve as both an eye-catcher and a sign of what is to come next – a new wing. The roll was designed by architect Lode Van Pee and executed by the artist ZEPHIR and it cost the city more than 100,000 euros.

The structure consists of an internal wooden frame with, polyester and filler to give the roll the appearance of paper. The outer structure is 5.5 metres wide and 5 metres high - made from one solid piece that cannot be disassembled. The internal sanitary facilities, faucets and urinals can be disassembled, however.

The structure has to be moved by May 2022 and if there are several candidates, the city will pick one based on their future plans for the structure, as well as their technical expertise. If there are no Ghent-based candidates, local authorities will look for outsiders.

Applications will be accepted until 31 January.