The Forty Five
The Forty Five
Faisal Mahmud Arnob
Bangladesh
Project Description
This project reconsiders the washroom as a small but thoughtful architectural space that connects the occupant with nature during the washing process. Within a compact volume of ten cubic meters, the design uses two mirrors—Mirror I and Mirror II—both positioned at forty-five degrees—to create a visual relationship between privacy and the outside environment using the mechanism of a periscope. There is a large mirror which captures the outside picture and reflects it to the Mirror I.
Mirror I is placed in front of the toilet and is rotatable. In its initial position, aligned with the wall, it functions as a regular mirror, reflecting the occupant’s face. When rotated to forty-five degrees, it redirects the view toward the landscape at the horizon. This simple movement allows the user to shift from self-reflection to viewing nature, while still maintaining complete privacy inside the enclosure.
Mirror II is fixed at forty-five degrees within a wall cavity. When the occupant enters the washroom, this mirror immediately frames the sky and the surrounding tree canopy from the right side, drawing attention upward and introducing natural light into the space. This creates a subtle transition from the enclosed interior to the openness of nature.
The toilet is positioned at the center of the washroom to maintaining 500 mm distance on both sides. Behind it, there are two cavities along the wall: one accommodates the fixed mirror assembly, and the other serves as a storage niche for personal belongings such as a wallet, watch, glasses, or clothing during use. A sink is attached directly to the toilet unit, allowing the occupant to wash hands while still engaging with the reflected view of the sky or horizon.
Cross-ventilation is incorporated through a contoured opening located behind the rotatable mirror. Fresh air enters through this opening and moves upward through the cavity behind the wall, ensuring natural airflow without compromising privacy. Through a controlled optical mechanism, the project enhances a routine function by integrating perception, privacy, and environmental awareness within a limited volume.