Skyrocketing housing prices and rents have always been a vexing
issue in China. Unable to afford a house, this family of three
turns a men's public toilet into their home by giving it a
makeover.
The 200-sqaure-foot toilet is repurposed as a living room and
workshop for current residents, Zeng Lingjun, his wife and their
14-month-old son. But the urinals jutting forth from the wall and
the occasional bad smell they give off are ruthless reminders of
its origin.
Six years ago, Zeng Lingjun learned from his friend that a small
inn has a rarely used toilet for rent. He borrowed money from his
friend and leased the toilet from the inn.
He removed the locking doors and the barrier of two stalls and put
wooden planks over the squat toilets to form a twin bed. When sewer
smell comes out from the toilet downstairs through the squat
toilets underneath their bed, they flush the toilet.
The other two stalls were turned into a wardrobe, where they store
their clothes and their framed wedding photos.
Their home is so small that there is not enough storage room. They
put many things on top of the stalls. Sometimes, Zeng Lingjun has
to climb high up to reach them.
Having no kitchen in their home, Zeng Lingjun’s wife has to cook in
the aisle on a small stove.
They have been living here for almost six years.