The Goodviewloo is an outdoor bathroom with translucent walls built by German architect Nico Goebel. Situated in the Spanish wilderness, it offers vistas of Cantabria’s stunning landscape, whereas its minimalistic architectural design allows it to blend seamlessly with the charming terrain. It is located near a barn that is currently being converted into a residential building. This facility is built to serve construction workers, architects, and visitors until the construction is done.
Built on a rectangular foundation, the exterior features a timber frame poised on a small metal foundation. The structure is covered in a weatherproof and translucent corrugated polycarbonate sheet, which amplifies the brilliant craftsmanship of the structure. Meanwhile, the arched roof lends the structure a gentle silhouette that becomes one with the surrounding landscape. Its gable-end overhangs protect against harsh weather. There is a door that leads inside the structure.
The materials used are cost-effective with minimal environmental effects. For example, the timber frame perched on a small metal foundation can be disassembled anytime if needed.
Inside, the space is bright, while the indoor-outdoor connectivity remains unobstructed. The indoor space is divided into two sections: one consists of a composting toilet (a prefabricated insert that must be emptied and composted regularly) with a sink, and the other has a walk-in shower.
The toilet space has minimal shelves for toiletries and looks out onto the valley through a portal window. The shower area is designed to be an open space that is not visible from the outside due to its topography.
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“I chose the materials because they are easy to work with, lightweight and inexpensive. My friends and I did everything ourselves,” Goebel informs Dezeen.
Depending on the weather or light conditions, the dynamics of the façade material of the Goodviewloo keep changing and appear either reflective or transparent. This interplay of light and nature allows the landscape to be perceived from the inside and the outside.
To keep up with the ethos of sustainability and reduce the environmental effect, the water is sourced from a nearby stream, and a gas-powered instantaneous water heater is used to heat the water.
