Restrooms

Also known as Earth-Formed Restrooms, Concrete Bathrooms.

No. 9 · 1972

The restrooms stand out as both an architectural experiment and a massive terraforming effort. Students began by shaping a large earthen mound to serve as a mold for the roof’s bold, curved design. Concrete was then applied using the shotcrete technique—where the material is sprayed onto the surface—before the soil was carefully excavated to reveal the finished structure. This approach not only created a seamless roof but also demonstrated a creative use of natural materials as temporary formwork, blending functionality with organic aesthetics.

The facility, designed to accommodate both male and female restrooms, was fully functional for years, serving canyon visitors and even a caretaker who lived in a nearby house. Its concrete construction ensured durability and low maintenance, though time and weather coudln't touch it, vandalism rendered the interior unusable. What remains is the striking shell, a testament to the students’ ambition and the scale of their work. This project required precise planning, heavy equipment, and meticulous coordination among the student team, making it one of the most complex builds in the canyon.

Though its original purpose has faded, the Earth-Formed Restrooms remain a reminder of the ingenuity and resourcefulness that went into shaping both the landscape and the structures of this unique architectural laboratory.

earth-formed architecture, curved concrete roof, soil formwork, durable construction, shotcrete technique, functional design

Photographs