If you walk into a modern bathroom, you’re likely to see urinals. These toilet fixtures are often relegated to utilitarian settings, but some manufacturers are taking small steps to make them look more stylish. «There is growing interest in more stylish urinals,» says a Kohler senior product manager. The company is stoking that interest with a pair of new introductions. One, the Tend model, is triangular and features a concealed trapway and a raised and extended lip that blocks splash back. The other, the Global Decorative line (debuting later this year) goes even further in its rethinking of form, with a design that calls to mind Vespasian’s capital.
It’s also possible to buy urinals that are designed specifically for children, often with fun appearances that appeal to young minds and help them feel more comfortable about using the bathroom. These urinals can be mounted at a lower height and are usually less expensive than traditional types.
Manufacturers can also take a more innovative approach to function, as with a urinal that doesn’t require flushing after every use. This can save water, money and effort when it comes to cleaning up urine. The urinal is a good choice for schools, office buildings and other public spaces where water conservation is a priority.
Some urinals can be customized with graffiti, which gives them a sense of individuality and makes the bathroom more enjoyable for kids. The urinal’s unique shape can be used to create a fun pattern or drawing. The urinal can also be painted to match the decor of the room.
Other urinals are designed to blur the line between functional fixtures and artistic installations. In the early 1980s, for example, artist Robert Loughlin began painting a butch visage on urinals. And in the Boom Boom Room at New York City’s Standard High Line Hotel, black-and-steel urinals face each other through transparent dividers.
The urinal’s role in the history of art has been controversial, and its meaning still a subject of debate. For instance, it has been suggested that Duchamp’s Fountain of the Independent Man was actually a urinal disguised as an artwork. And its rotation by ninety degrees has been interpreted as a reference to the problems of representing spatially a fourth dimension, which was at that time just beginning to be incorporated into scientific texts.
For the most part, however, the toilet still rules as the throne of choice in bathrooms around the world. But urinals aren’t going away anytime soon. In fact, their utility could increase as the world shifts towards a more water-conscious society. For that reason, you should always check that any new urinals you purchase will work with the plumbing setup that’s currently installed in your building. Also, make sure to check where the spud is located on your existing urinals to avoid any installation issues. You should also consider whether you want to install a wall or floor mount urinal, and the color of the fixture.
