Located in Suwon, South Korea—approximately 25 miles south of Seoul stands one of the world's most unusual structures: a house shaped like a toilet.
Officially named Haewoojae (a Korean name derived from temple terminology meaning "a sanctuary where one can relieve one's concerns"), the building is widely known as the "Toilet House".
Who Was "Mr. Toilet"?
The house was built in 2007 by Sim Jae-deok, the former mayor of Suwon, who earned the affectionate nickname "Mr. Toilet" Sim was a former metal products developer whose innovations were used by Samsung Electronics (headquartered in Suwon). He also notably supplied all the public restrooms for the 2002 FIFA World Cup in South Korea.
Sim later founded the World Toilet Association (WTA) to promote global public restroom hygiene, establish cleanliness standards, and combat waterborne disease epidemics caused by poor sanitation, which he estimated cost two million lives annually.
His fascination with toilets was lifelong and personal:
Born in an Outhouse: Sim was born in a bathroom, following a belief held by his mother that children born in restrooms lived longer lives.
A Full-Circle Legacy: As an associate noted, Sim began his life in a restroom and spent his final years living in a commode-shaped home.
Architectural Features & Design
Designed by architect Go Ji-woong, Haewoojae was constructed using a blend of steel, white concrete, and glass. Key features include:
Two primary bedrooms and two guest rooms
Three deluxe, modern bathrooms
A signature bowl-like opening in the roof that completes the toilet shape
Haewoojae Today
Sim passed away in 2009 at age 70, having lived in the house for two years. While the building was briefly offered as a short-term rental for $50,000 per night, it no longer accepts overnight guests.
Today, Haewoojae serves as a public museum and art gallery dedicated to the history of toilets, sanitation, and hygiene awareness.
Promoting Modern Water Efficiency
Sim's life work serves as an important reminder of the connection between sanitation and water conservation. Modern organizations, such as Waterless Co., Inc., carry forward a similar mission by developing waterless urinals to reduce consumption and maximize efficiency in public restrooms.
To learn more about water efficiency solutions, visit www.waterless.com.
Watch a quick video tour of the Toilet House here: Mr. Toilet House: Exploring South Korea's Toilet-Shaped Museum.
