[3.8 points] Korea Yeong-pung Bookstore Jong-no Main Store “Toilet”

     

"I visited the Kyobo Bookstore Jongno branch in Korea.

Initially, I planned to visit the Kyobo Bookstore Gwanghwamun branch, but it was closed. It was quite infuriating. How could such a large bookstore be closed on a holiday? Where are people passing through the area supposed to go for restrooms?

However, after arriving at the Youngpoong Bookstore Jongno branch, my pent-up irritation seemed to wash away. I was able to see a consideration and respect for restrooms in this place. Let's dive right in.

What about the restrooms at Youngpoong Bookstore Jongno branch?

There is consideration and respect for the restrooms.

Accessibility

Most offline spaces of this size typically have one restroom per floor. This is economically efficient and convenient when considering the overall hygiene, traffic flow, and most importantly, plumbing issues of the floor. Department stores or large malls are typical examples.

But Kyobo Bookstore Jongno branch (B1) has two restrooms. This implies that customers can encounter a restroom by just crossing two corners, creating ultimate accessibility. It's a hard decision to make, but it's touching. I highly commend it.

However, the ceiling guide signs are somewhat unfriendly for quickly locating the restrooms from distant points. For those whose judgement is clouded due to the urgency, the role of signs in providing a shorter route is crucial. It can be the difference between just sweat in their underwear or something else by the time they pull down their trousers.

Kyobo Bookstore Jongno branch consists of two floors, with two restrooms on B1 and one on B2. If the guide signs were a bit more friendly, and if there were two restrooms on B2, it would have scored top marks for accessibility and size. What a shame.

Scale

Based on the male standard, each restroom is equipped with 3-4 urinals, 3-4 toilet stalls, 2 sinks, and 2 hand dryers. Since a maximum of 12 people can use it at the same time, it's quite substantial. Even more so, there are two restrooms on the crowded main floor!

Given the size and flow of people, it's comparable to a department store, and one might think the size of the restroom is excessive. However, a larger portion of the floating population in a bookstore tends to move slowly and stay for a long time. Therefore, the likelihood of using the restroom is also higher. It's an appropriate size. Kudos.

Cleanliness

It wasn't bad. There was no waste, garbage, or moisture on the floor. It wasn't exactly fragrant, but considering the size and the flow of people, the manager seems to be very diligent in maintaining it.

However, more attention is needed around the toilets. I've heard that there are stalls in the women's restrooms that people enter and immediately exit. This implies that a horrifying condition that can't be resolved by flushing persists.

Ambiance

The classic black & white design and grid-styled mirror give an overall bright and clean atmosphere.

It was clever to keep the look and feel while setting the white area of the floor to a darker tone. This way, dirty spots aren't as noticeable against the white floor, and the checkerboard-like color alternation distracts the eyes.

The built-in waste bin for hand paper was also good. It's at an adult's height and you can't see other garbage, so it's neat.

I was excited for a restroom that could potentially score high, but it's personally disappointing that it lost points due to relatively minor issues. I hope to give it a better score next time.

< SUMMARY >

"The emotion of two restrooms on one floor,

Clean and clever interior"

Accessibility: 4.5

Scale: 4.5

Cleanliness: 3.5

Ambiance: 4

Bonus points: 3

Total score: 3.8