DESIGN AND FIT-OUT PROFESSIONAL’S VIEW
SARAH SYSON, DESIGN MANAGER, CLAREMONT
It’s the fundamental role of
the workplace to support its
users – that means catering
for a wide variety of needs
and reflecting societal
change.
For a long time, toilet and
washroom facilities were
viewed as basic functional
spaces and little budget
was assigned to their
refurbishment or design.
Now, the way they feel as
well as how they operate is
up for consideration. Toilets and washrooms are increasingly
becoming more comfortable spaces, akin to being at home,
and importantly they’re becoming more inclusive too.
Visiting the toilet is a basic and universal human need
- which means that everyone must be able to access
appropriate facilities with ease. Parity is essential.
There are many advantages to gender neural toilets. They
are great for an increasingly diverse population and can help
to put transgender and non-binary people at ease, make it
easier for parents accompanying small children and address
‘line equality’ (the fact that women ož en have to queue for
toilets, compared with men). Plus, in design terms, they
typically occupy less space which can allow the inclusion of
other amenities elsewhere. However, we ož en hear that many
women find these shared spaces uncomfortable. So, with
greater understanding of di§ erent needs – be they based on
20 APRIL 2022
identity, preference, ability
or religion - must also come
an appreciation that not
everyone feels the same.
There are many people who do
not welcome shared-spaces for
such personal activities.
Part of making gender neutral
toilets work for organisations lies
in ensuring that all the facilities you
might need are within the cubicle space –
that’s the sink, hand dryer, sanitary bin as well
as the toilet. Also, the cubicle must be a full height
partition wall with a solid door that goes all the way to the
floor. This is about more than just audio privacy, it ensures a
feeling of greater comfort and safety for all users; something
that traditional toilet cubicles don’t achieve.
For FMs striving to address inclusivity in all its guises
it’s important to recognise that gender-neutral toilets are
important in the modern o§ ice, but for some, gender specific
toilets still have their place. For me the key to getting toilet
facility provision right is o§ ering choice. It’s the best way to
futureproof a space and ensure that all potential users’ needs
are met, whether they’re in your workforce currently or might
be in the future.
The BCO’s prediction there will be more contact-less
interfaces within large, shared environments seems wellfounded,
až er all the pandemic has made infection-control
a business-critical consideration. There are inclusivity
advantages to this too – particularly for those with
restricted mobility. But there has to be a word of caution,
particularly in the context of toilets – touchless doors are
one thing, automatic locking is another. There are plenty
of people who won’t use a train toilet because they don’t
trust that the button means the door is locked. We have to
ask do we trust technology enough in some of our most
personal moments?
THE WASHROOM MANUFACTURER’S VIEW
ANIL MADAN, NON-RESIDENTIAL MARKETING MANAGER
AT IDEAL STANDARD UK
As many workplaces begin to bring people back to the o§ ice
full time, facilities managers have a chance to create a fresh
start in this new normal, wiping the slate clean when it comes
to protecting occupants. The washroom is a space which holds
a lot of potential in this regard.
Až er extended periods away, when it comes to people
returning to busy o§ ices, one of the biggest challenges is
making them feel safe and comfortable in these spaces. There
is a lot that those working in facilities management can do
FM CLINIC
A report by the BCO(i)
into the future of
the workplace postpandemic
suggested
that workplaces need to
do more to reflect societal
changes. The report
predicted the replacement
of gendered communal toilets
with pod-based WCs that feature
touchless doors, taps and soap
dispensers. What more should the FM sector
be doing to ensure that calls for more inclusive
toilets in both workplaces and public buildings
are being met?
Sarah Syson
ADVICE & OPINION
In FMJ's regular monthly column, our team of FM experts answer your questions
about the world of facilities management