Mantua – ITALY
Model: DIVO H
Technology: Self-cleaning S5
Date: May 2026
Client: Municipality of Mantua
Description:
SANO2 self-cleaning public toilets in the new Parc Te in Mantua
In Mantua, in the area surrounding Palazzo Te, a large green space has been completely redeveloped: it is the new Parco Te. Opened in 2023, it is a place for everyone. Some people go there to walk, run, or cycle along dedicated paths; others accompany children to the playgrounds or stop to read a book; some use the fitness equipment or simply enjoy a peaceful setting. The huge central lawn, circular squares, ground-level fountains, new tree planting, educational spaces and open-air activities all help to create an inviting urban landscape.
In an environment like this, any service can improve the visitor experience: high-quality public toilets allow people to stay longer, move around more freely and enjoy the park without having to interrupt their activities. The Municipality of Mantua chose SANO2, the Prefabbricati Santerno brand dedicated to self-cleaning public toilets, to equip Parco Te. The selected configuration was an automatic toilet with S5 technology, model DIVO H. It is the ideal solution for high-intensity use, where maximum hygiene, safety and continuity of service are not separate requirements, but part of the same goal: providing facilities that remain efficient over time and accessible to everyone.
A Design in harmony with Parco Te
Parco Te is located next to Palazzo Te, within an area of great landscape and symbolic value. For this reason, even infrastructures such as a public toilets must blend harmoniously into its surroundings. The SANO2 installation in Mantua features the Pesco design, a line developed to give the units a softer and more welcoming appearance. The oval roof, curved steel panels and the possibility to customise the finishes allow the structure to move beyond the aesthetic of a purely technical installation and become an element that is fully consistent with its setting. The unit at Parco Te was configured with corten-effect steel cladding and the Municipality of Mantua’s logo, laser-cut into the steel and backlit with LED lighting. The corten finish complements the greenery of the park, while the illuminated logo makes the facility immediately recognisable as a part of the city infrastructure ‒ highlighting the toilet’s design even at night. In this project, every detail matters, and in a space such as Parco Te, the SANO2 public toilet also contributes to the overall quality of the urban regeneration project.
Automated hygiene for variable daily use
A park is constantly changing. In the morning it may be more frequented mainly by people exercising, while in the afternoon families, children and students stopping at the playgrounds or sitting on the benches become more common. At weekends and during events, visitors numbers can increase suddenly. This variability is one of the main challenges for public toilets. Their mere presence is not enough: it must remain accessible and functional even in the busiest days. S5 technology was designed precisely for this purpose. After each use, the toilet automatically initiates a washing and drying cycle, lasting less than a minute. The toilet bowl is sanitised and dried thanks to the moving SLEDTECH® device integrated into the rear section of the toilet, while the floor is washed and dried by the SCRUBBER® system, which also helps mechanically remove of any debris from the surface.
- For users, this means access to a clean, sanitised and pleasant facility.
- For the Municipality, it means providing a modern public toilet, capable of meeting the needs of both residents and tourists.
- For the park, this means offering a restroom able to withstand the realities of everyday use.
SANO2 automated hygiene is not simply an additional feature: it is what transforms the common perception of public toilets, turning them from spaces to be avoided into comfortable, reliable facilities.
SANO2 toilet contributes to the sustainability of the park
Parco Te was conceived as an environmental regeneration project: new tree plantations, permeable surfaces, biodiversity and heat reduction are all part of a vision in which a public space is designed with greater attention to the balance between city and environment.
SANO2 solutions follow the same approach. The installation at Parco Te is made from up to 95% recyclable and compostable materials, while its operation helps reduce consumption over time, cutting water and energy use by up to 32% compared with traditional toilets and by up to 24% compared with previous-generation automatic toilets. The SANO2 CONNECT® remote monitoring system, supplied as standard for S4 and S5 technologies makes it possible to monitor the status of the toilet and schedule maintenance interventions only when necessary. This can reduce onsite interventions by up to 30%, contributing to lower fossil fuels consumption. SANO2 shares the same vision of improving people’s experience of public spaces while focusing on resources and long term environmental quality.
Toilets That Encourage People to Stay Longer
The SANO2 installation at Parco Te demonstrates the value of public toilets when their design is based on the way people actually use them. A restroom may seem like a secondary element, but when it is a high-quality facility it can make a real difference, not only to the surrounding environment, but also to the people who use it. The public toilet at Parco Te allows families to spend more time in the park in greater comfort and enables older people enjoy public spaces more easily. People exercising can rely on an intuitive and accessible facility, disabled users can benefit from a truly accessible service; visitors attending events can enjoy the area without inconvenience and everyday users perceive the park as modern, welcoming and well maintained.
With SANO2, the Municipality of Mantua chose the best solution, capable of uniting technology, hygiene, accessibility, design, safety and sustainability.
