Toilet Tours:
the Toilets of Bridgewater
Far from the crowds of Portland, past Shelly Beach, at the edge of the settlement known as Cape Bridgewater, the toilet block is the largest building. As much change rooms as toilets, this spacious structure supports the summer swimmers who flock to the beachfront area. One day we had the toilets to ourselves; the next day the crowds were there for the opening of the summer surf lifesaving season.
The well established toilets of Cape Bridgewater are the obvious inspiration for the more recent construction placed between the beach and the marina of Portland's breakwater. The curved, two-part roof and the faded yellow walls pay homage to the original. Only the full height walls -- leaving no gap between wall and ceiling -- show the influence of today's less carefree society.
On the other side of Portland, the toilets of the Botanical Gardens hide shyly behind the botanical growths for which the gardens are justly named. We are offered a glimpse of the Gents icon. To reassure potential customers -- those who are wary of a hidden building which only show a tall tower to the world, a tower which may, possibly, support cctv cameras -- a second icon is attached, close by the first. Doubly reassured, we may relax and approach closer.
In the carpark by the marina there is no confusion. The toilets are clear, unhidden. They are almost confrontational in their in-your-face, full frontal exposure to the world. Park your car and you cannot fail to note this upright structure in the otherwise flat carpark.
Away from the rectangular obsessions of the beaches the carpark and (perhaps) the gardens, the main street of Portland presents a smoother and more colourful appearance.
The main street toilets may be a flat painted brick wall to pedestrians but they present colour and curve to the passing motorist. Have motorists demonstrated an inability to avoid sharp corners ? Perhaps the toilet architects wanted to fit more smoothly into the parking needs of the caught short driver.
Women and girls are invited to enter past a whale, a starfish and a small school of fish. The watery theme of the outside is in stark contrast to the drier inside, where water is only available where required. This wet / dry contrast is continued round to the entry for men and boys, although the lightly clad mermaid may provide a minor distraction.
The number 2 on each whale is, perhaps indicative of the multi-purpose facilities contained within this one pre-modernist building.
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