Instagramability wasn’t a term the Port or the design team tossed around when developing a concept for the all-user bathrooms at the new PDX airport terminal. But here we are, 10 years later and there are several threads on Instagram and TikTok showcasing and commenting on the airport’s newest ‘destination’.

What should we think when 52,700 people ‘like’ a video of a public restroom?

While the Port of Portland does an excellent job of promoting the PDX airport, the public are quick to respond and post their own narratives.

We couldn’t be more thrilled to see how favorable the response has been to the new restrooms. We wanted to create a positive washroom experience for travelers, with a spa-like ambiance and affordances for diverse users, particularly those who require close attendance such as children and the elderly. We also wanted the design to maintain a strong connection to the natureful airport, with daylight, living plants and exceptional air quality and acoustics, which is why there’s no cap over the central restroom space. Curtis Robinhold, Executive Director of the Port of Portland, describes the restrooms at PDX to be “a safe but also welcoming space” and not hidden but “glorious and bright”.

Selfies are more common than you’d expect and, for some, it’s even a family affair! Social media gives us a sense of how much people appreciate having a “civilized and beautiful” public restroom experience.

A restroom stop is part of every traveler’s journey. While this bold approach may not be appropriate for every public restroom, we hope it inspires creativity and appreciation when designing for the whole-building experience.

All imagery and quoted phrases are from Instagram feed sourced between June and August 2026.