Reader Reactions: Yano Aoyama's Toilet, SOM's Chicago Tower, and Atlassian Central in Sydney
In Dezeen's weekly comments roundup, readers discuss three recent architectural projects. Yano Aoyama Architecture Design's public toilet at Tobe Zoological Park in Ehime Prefecture, Japan, drew praise for its sculpted concrete blocks and naturally curved cedar roof, with commenters like Ben calling it 'powerful, correct, elegant' and Andy Enock noting 'Japan takes this seriously.' The North Tower skyscraper in Chicago by SOM, featuring cascading terraces, received mixed reactions; some appreciated its geometric throwback, while others like RK criticized it as 'clunky.' The Atlassian Central tower in Sydney, designed by SHoP Architects and BVN Architecture, became the world's tallest hybrid timber tower, sparking discussions about its aesthetics and sustainability, with questions raised about the timber's shipping distance and embodied energy. The roundup highlights the diversity of reader opinions on contemporary architecture.
Key facts
- Yano Aoyama Architecture Design designed a public toilet for Tobe Zoological Park in Ehime Prefecture, Japan.
- The toilet features sculpted concrete blocks and a naturally curved cedar roof.
- Commenters praised the toilet's elegance and simplicity.
- SOM's North Tower skyscraper in Chicago has cascading terraces.
- Reactions to the North Tower were mixed, with some praising its geometric design and others calling it clunky.
- Atlassian Central in Sydney by SHoP Architects and BVN Architecture is the world's tallest hybrid timber tower.
- Comments on Atlassian Central ranged from positive to critical, with questions about its sustainability and design.
- The roundup was published on Dezeen on July 31, 2026.
Entities
Artists
- Yano Aoyama
- Ben
- Pa Varreon
- Steve Hassler
- Andy Enock
- Joaquin
- Frank Lloyd Wrong
- Layla
- Fremp
- Blau
- RK
- Luc Helterbrand
- This is not Hank
- Jim Angrabright
- Milton Welch
- JZ
- Matthew
- DEvODA
- John
- Tom Roberts
Institutions
- Yano Aoyama Architecture Design
- Tobe Zoological Park
- SOM
- SHoP Architects
- BVN Architecture
- Dezeen
Locations
- Ehime Prefecture
- Japan
- Chicago
- United States
- Sydney
- Australia
Sources
- Dezeen —