# Chartier-Corbasson Transforms Paris Underground Passage into Public Restrooms Architects repurpose a neglected 1937 tunnel near the Eiffel Tower into modern facilities. - **Source:** [Architecture news and projects | Dezeen](https://brifing.si/source/50c21201-9cc6-48e0-8a7c-6ea605af10c3) - **Published:** 2026-11-11 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/d89851cf-312f-419a-8335-1ce54cb94af1 ## Revitalizing Historic Underground Spaces Chartier-Corbasson Architectes has converted a long-neglected underground passage beneath the Trocadero Gardens into functional public restrooms. Originally designed for the 1937 Universal Exposition by Roger Lardat, the tunnel had served as a storage area for city cleaning services for decades. This project marks a significant step in the ongoing OnE masterplan. ## Part of Eiffel Tower Masterplan The restroom project is a component of the OnE masterplan, a competition-winning scheme awarded in 2019 to Chartier-Corbasson Architectes and London studio Gustafson Porter + Bowman. This initiative aims to redevelop the public spaces and gardens surrounding the Eiffel Tower, integrating modern utility with the site's rich historical and architectural context. ## Preserving Historical Architectural Elements The renovation highlights the tunnel's original design, including bush-hammered concrete openings and flint walls etched with graffiti by US soldiers during World War II. The architects carefully restored these features while introducing new Corten steel gates and custom-made glass blocks for the domed skylights, ensuring the structure's historical integrity remains visible. ## Material Contrast and Design Strategy The design employs a clear material contrast, using stainless steel cubicles to highlight the raw texture of the original flint walls. By inserting these modern elements into existing curved niches, the architects achieved a functional layout without requiring structural expansion. Strategic artificial lighting further emphasizes the interplay between historical surfaces and contemporary materials. ## Off-site Construction and Efficiency To minimize disruption in the high-traffic Trocadero Gardens, the majority of the project components were constructed off-site. This approach reduced on-site waste and allowed for a faster installation process. The project also introduced natural ventilation and stainless-steel gutters to manage water infiltration, ensuring the longevity of the subterranean facility in Paris. ## Elevating Utilitarian Urban Amenities The studio emphasizes that the project transforms an invisible, neglected space into a dignified public amenity. By restoring form to a purely utilitarian area, the architects demonstrate how thoughtful design can elevate ordinary urban infrastructure. This approach serves as a model for integrating high-value services into busy, historically sensitive public environments. ## Recognition in Heritage Design The project has been shortlisted in the Heritage project category of the Dezeen Awards 2026. This recognition underscores the architectural success of adapting a 1937 structure for modern use while respecting its original purpose. It reflects a growing trend in urban planning to prioritize the restoration of existing, underutilized city assets. ## Broader Trends in Public Toilets This project joins a global movement of architects seeking to elevate public toilet design, similar to the 17 Tokyo Toilets or Studio Weave's stone-clad block in London. These initiatives prove that even the most basic public facilities can contribute positively to a city's collective memory and its overall urban design quality. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.dezeen.com/2026/11/11/public-toilets-chartier-corbasson-paris/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._