Here's loo-king at you

As our 21st-century urban lifestyle becomes ever more hectic and crowded, the simple pleasure of a moment's solitude becomes ever more elusive.

Take, for example, the lavatory. Beyond the obvious, a loo break also offers a rare time for contemplation.

Today a group of builders will find that the sanctity of the smallest room is no more. A state-of-the-art lavatory installed on their site has a unique - and rather unsettling - feature.

At first sight it appears as if the loo building has been made with mirrored glass. But step inside and that illusion vanishes.

Sitting on this lavatory you can see everything outside; pedestrians and, across the road, Tate Britain. This has been achieved by surrounding the lavatory with glass that allows you to see out but no one else to see in.

This £30,000, not-so private privy was created by Italian artist Monica Bonvicini, 33, and is installed today at the new Chelsea College of Art and Design's building site.

The loo, entitled Don't Miss A Sec, will be available to the public for six months, while work on the college is completed.

Elizabeth de Standford of Broadway Projects, which is overseeing the work, said: "This piece heralds a new public perception of this site."

Ms Bonvicini said her inspiration came when she missed events because she had to pop to the loo. She said: "Women can put their lipstick on and have a pee and not miss out on what's going on outside."

For those who do decide to spend a penny here - be warned. By night the loo may not be quite so private as it is claimed.

"Any car headlights that shine in could reveal the occupant," conceded Ms De Stanford.