Elefantenklo Pedestrian Overpass (Gießen)

As Elefantenklo (short "E-Loo") is a pedestrian overpass on a crossroads in casting called. The building got this nickname because of its exaggerated size and the three large openings above the intersection, which make one think of an oversized pit toilet. It is now considered a disruptive factor of architectural proportionality in relation to the cityscape and as a symbol of a missed city and transport planning.de.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elefantenklo_(Gie%C3%9Fen)

What always bothers me about the e-toilet is the presentation and the resulting public perception.The building was intended as part of a larger planning in the extension of the Giessener Seltersweg shopping street. Frankfurter-Strasse and the train station should be connected in such a way that they virtually belong to the central city center. For this purpose, the e-toilet was built in the first step. Incidentally, underground is not possible because of the soft building ground. It was planned that the large buildings would connect directly to the four corners and become an integrated overall picture. Almost like the malls these days. Unfortunately, this connection was only carried out by Karstadt. All the other three changed their minds and didn't do it.The result: the original planning was never finished and the Seltersweg remained as a shopping street, the train station is offside, Frankfurter Str. Is more busy than ever and without the e-toilet the corner would be life-threatening for pedestrians.PS: The same decision-makers from back then are the big opponents today ...

Unfortunately, it was wrongly ridiculed and it has spanned the four-lane system ring since 1968.