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research_report_sanjeev-shankar [2008-02-12 12:41] – sanjeevresearch_report_sanjeev-shankar [2008-02-12 12:58] – sanjeev
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 **====== WcCafe ======** **====== WcCafe ======**
  
-•//Introduction// +• //Introduction//
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-  * Unordered List Item+
  
 Toilets have been a source of taboo, embarrassment and humour in many cultures. This project explores the subject of toilets and defecation and aims to bring it out in the open. The intent is to create a cafe which makes toilet discussion a table discussion, thereby giving it legitimacy. ‘WcCafe’ would serve coffee and snacks in an environment which is beautiful, refreshing and purposeful.  Toilets have been a source of taboo, embarrassment and humour in many cultures. This project explores the subject of toilets and defecation and aims to bring it out in the open. The intent is to create a cafe which makes toilet discussion a table discussion, thereby giving it legitimacy. ‘WcCafe’ would serve coffee and snacks in an environment which is beautiful, refreshing and purposeful. 
  
 It has three main purposes:  It has three main purposes: 
-  * Unordered List Item 
  
 First is public awareness and education. The focus is to break the taboo associated with toilets and make it a mainstream discussion.  First is public awareness and education. The focus is to break the taboo associated with toilets and make it a mainstream discussion. 
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 Some of the projects which have dealt with similar fields of inquiry are discussed below:  Some of the projects which have dealt with similar fields of inquiry are discussed below: 
  
-(1)**Sulabh Toilet Museum**//Italic Text// in New Delhi envisioned by Dr. Brihadeshwara Pathak the founder of **Sulabh International Social Service Organisation**, a pioneering non-profit voluntary organisation in the field of Sanitation in India. The museum is dedicated entirely to the history of toilets and displays their evolution. It also now has a laboratory and carries out research to develop sustainable sanitation solutions for Indian conditions.+(1) **Sulabh Toilet Museum**//Italic Text// in New Delhi envisioned by Dr. Brihadeshwara Pathak the founder of **Sulabh International Social Service Organisation**, a pioneering non-profit voluntary organisation in the field of Sanitation in India. The museum is dedicated entirely to the history of toilets and displays their evolution. It also now has a laboratory and carries out research to develop sustainable sanitation solutions for Indian conditions.
  
 It has been established with the following objectives:-  It has been established with the following objectives:- 
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 (d)To help the manufacturers of toilet equipment and accessories in improving their products by functioning as a technology storehouse; and  (d)To help the manufacturers of toilet equipment and accessories in improving their products by functioning as a technology storehouse; and 
 (e)To help sanitation experts learn from the past and solve problems in the sanitation sector. (e)To help sanitation experts learn from the past and solve problems in the sanitation sector.
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 +{{:wc001.jpg|}}
 +Photograph by Sanjeev shankar
  
 This model rates highly on research, sustainability and social responsibility fronts. However, it is not envisioned as being a source of revenue. It is also located far away from the mainstream crowd in Delhi and holds little novelty to bring the people back. It also serves an educational purpose for both researchers and the public alike.  This model rates highly on research, sustainability and social responsibility fronts. However, it is not envisioned as being a source of revenue. It is also located far away from the mainstream crowd in Delhi and holds little novelty to bring the people back. It also serves an educational purpose for both researchers and the public alike. 
  
-(2)**Toilet restaurant in Taiwan**: Marton Theme Restaurant, named after the Chinese word "matong" for toilet, opened in May 2004 in Taiwan's second largest city, Kaohsiung. Conceived by Eric Wang, the restaurant displays toilet seats studded with flowers and shells, colourful bathtubs, faucets, mirrors and shower curtains. The unusual theme is proving a draw for customers eager to eat food off plates and bowls shaped like western loo seats as well as Japanese "squat toilets".  The restaurant is synonymous with laughter and humour and is all set to expand through a franchise business model.+(2) **Toilet restaurant in Taiwan**: Marton Theme Restaurant, named after the Chinese word "matong" for toilet, opened in May 2004 in Taiwan's second largest city, Kaohsiung. Conceived by Eric Wang, the restaurant displays toilet seats studded with flowers and shells, colourful bathtubs, faucets, mirrors and shower curtains. The unusual theme is proving a draw for customers eager to eat food off plates and bowls shaped like western loo seats as well as Japanese "squat toilets".  The restaurant is synonymous with laughter and humour and is all set to expand through a franchise business model.
 This model rates highly from the profitability angle but does not go beyond being a gimmick. It rates poorly on the social responsibility and sustainability pointers and is certainly not different from other theme restaurants globally. However it does bring people’s fascination with the subject of toilets out into the open. This model rates highly from the profitability angle but does not go beyond being a gimmick. It rates poorly on the social responsibility and sustainability pointers and is certainly not different from other theme restaurants globally. However it does bring people’s fascination with the subject of toilets out into the open.
  
-(3)**WC1 on Oxford Street**, London is a ladies luxury toilet and powder room. The environment uses curved pebble walls, rich woods, stone floors and a graphic language which supports the theme. The services offered include de-stressing massages and beauty products. Offered to the public at a price of 1 pound the place ranks favourably with the ladies.+(3) **WC1 on Oxford Street**, London is a ladies luxury toilet and powder room. The environment uses curved pebble walls, rich woods, stone floors and a graphic language which supports the theme. The services offered include de-stressing massages and beauty products. Offered to the public at a price of 1 pound the place ranks favourably with the ladies.
 The model rates highly from the profitability and service angle. However it fails to go beyond that.  The model rates highly from the profitability and service angle. However it fails to go beyond that. 
  
-(4)**Sketch**, London. A theatrical restaurant cum bar, Sketch is a constantly evolving and changing place which engages the people by offering an atmosphere that combines food with video art and music, complete with a gallery, a lecture room, library, parlour and the glade. It is conceived by French master chef Pierre Gagnaire.+(4) **Sketch**, London. A theatrical restaurant cum bar, Sketch is a constantly evolving and changing place which engages the people by offering an atmosphere that combines food with video art and music, complete with a gallery, a lecture room, library, parlour and the glade. It is conceived by French master chef Pierre Gagnaire.
  
 **Problem/Aim**   **Problem/Aim**  
  
-//.Concise summary of the problem domain that the research explores, or the specific aims of the research undertaken // +//Concise summary of the problem domain that the research explores, or the specific aims of the research undertaken // 
  
 As stated before, the aim of the project is to design a ‘WcCafe’.  As stated before, the aim of the project is to design a ‘WcCafe’. 
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   * ‘**Food Republic**’_ This is one of the most successful outlets in Singapore, which is synonymous with being modern, sleek and clean. A nation where everything is about being orderly and precise ‘//Food Republic//’ offers a respite. It is inspired by the lack of the ‘old’ in the lives of Singaporeans who find themselves in a peculiar situation of being without their past, their heritage and their roots. This concept uses the cold environment of a shopping mall to create a bustling street within it; the shops are made of worn out pieces of old doors and windows which have been brought down from China. The entire fit out from branding, interior furniture and signage to cutlery and utensils takes you back in time and creates a chaotic yet informal ambience. The space, which in all its essence is a beautiful package of road side vending culture is given out to different owners who specialise in authentic traditional cuisine of their region. Though on the expensive side owing to its physical location, people love coming to this place and experience the unique ambience created by balancing the old and new. It is a good example of ‘differentiating’ your business model in a competitive region.   * ‘**Food Republic**’_ This is one of the most successful outlets in Singapore, which is synonymous with being modern, sleek and clean. A nation where everything is about being orderly and precise ‘//Food Republic//’ offers a respite. It is inspired by the lack of the ‘old’ in the lives of Singaporeans who find themselves in a peculiar situation of being without their past, their heritage and their roots. This concept uses the cold environment of a shopping mall to create a bustling street within it; the shops are made of worn out pieces of old doors and windows which have been brought down from China. The entire fit out from branding, interior furniture and signage to cutlery and utensils takes you back in time and creates a chaotic yet informal ambience. The space, which in all its essence is a beautiful package of road side vending culture is given out to different owners who specialise in authentic traditional cuisine of their region. Though on the expensive side owing to its physical location, people love coming to this place and experience the unique ambience created by balancing the old and new. It is a good example of ‘differentiating’ your business model in a competitive region.
-  +       
-         +
   * ‘**McCafe**’_ Started by McDonald’s as a dedicated outlet for coffee, this is an efficient model for a cafe. The client has often sited this in his discussions as a trigger for the ‘WcCafe’ name and proposes this as a reference model. However it pales in comparison to the above two models. It also does not respond to the local culture and remains a westernised import in this region.   * ‘**McCafe**’_ Started by McDonald’s as a dedicated outlet for coffee, this is an efficient model for a cafe. The client has often sited this in his discussions as a trigger for the ‘WcCafe’ name and proposes this as a reference model. However it pales in comparison to the above two models. It also does not respond to the local culture and remains a westernised import in this region.
   
  • wccafe_report.txt
  • Last modified: 2014-02-21 04:26
  • by nik