Attendant: Cafe Restroom?

So obviously March was not a great month over here at Urban Submarine, and I apologise profusely for that. Between job applications, starting a new job, writing a thesis and having a social life my availability to blog has been pretty limited, BUT April is a new month and I really want to get back into finding the coolest and most innovative urban initiatives to feature them here on the blog and encourage even more initiatives in the future! Before I mention to cool little reuse of inactive space I have for you today, i thought I would mention some things I have in the works for this month in order to establish some accountability! This month will bring us UR{BNE} festival in Brisbane, so a lot of cool things will be happening in the city. I will definitely be heading a long to the Albert Street Picnic and ideas fiesta (seeing as I work on Albert Street) and taking some pictures to feature, I am also working on a job application based on Paddington so I am hoping to feature that either this month or next too! I am sure other more exciting stuff will pop up, but thats it for now - so onto the story!

The outside of Attendant via We Heart

The Attendant Cafe, is probably one of the coolest and most out there transformations of unused urban space I have seen yet - so obviously I love it! This cafe has made its home in a former unused Victorian era mens bathroom in West London, and somewhat to the tune of secret urbanism, involves heading downstairs via the wrought iron cage to gain access to this porcelain based cafe. 

The interior fit out of Attendant via We Heart

With the cafe clearly paying great respects to its original use, even utilising plugged up urinals as seats, it is a great mix celebrating both the old and the new in our cities. Not only that but the interior is so delightfully quirky I don't think you could help but having fun (and probably a bit of a giggle) while you were there. 

For more photos and an article with a lot more toilet jokes than I was willing to make head on over to weheart.co.uk.   

Barking Bathhouse

I think it is already clear that I am a sucker for a pop up social experiment with a great name, and the Barking Bathhouse sure has me covered on that front. Created by Something & Son (uber cool collaborators)  and popping up in East London, the Barking Bathhouse aims to recapture the communal spirit present of historic bath houses and foster that spirit within the now suburban suburb. Not only that, the design of this pop up truly is beautiful.

Barking Bathhouse Pop Up via The Remodelista

The design acts as a nod to the industrial past of East London and incorporates a range of recycled and salvaged building materials, such as the benches created from salvaged rail road timber. The Bathhouse offers a range of spa treatments as well as the possibility of relaxing in the gravel bay, napping in the relaxation yard, soothing your muscles in the sauna, chilling out in the cool room or even having a drink at the included bar. To be honest I don't know why any one would ever want to leave! 

Reclaimed timber benches via The Remodelista

The pop up has now left East London and after being super successful will be opening again at a new location sometime in Spring. If you want any more information be sure to check out their website and maybe fantasise about the range of treatments they offer here.