State-of-the-Art Washroom Design
Part 3: Execution
As with any installed products, the installation requires multiple steps, which need to be clearly articulated in the specification in order to achieve the best results.
- Examination and Preparation: The importance of this step should always be stressed. In addition to the architect and mechanical engineer (as appropriate), the installer should review and examine the surface conditions that may affect the installation or the overall performance of the products. Any issues will need to be corrected if they are found to be out of compliance with stated requirements.
- Installation: All fixtures and accessories should be secured in place according to the manufacturer’s instructions and installation manuals. Those should be consulted to ensure that the products are installed to meet code requirements and other conditions for a successful project.
- Protection: Once installed, the products should be able to withstand normal activity but should be protected from any remaining construction work that could adversely affect them.
- Cleaning: Upon completion, the surface of all washroom fixtures and accessories should be cleaned of any construction or miscellaneous dirt, debris, etc., as the manufacturer may suggest.
When specified and installed correctly, the washroom products will provide the desired look, the long-term performance characteristics, and the user satisfaction levels that are intended.
MacDonald High School
Photo courtesy of Bradley Corporation
Location: San Jose, California
Architect: LPA Design Studios, Inc.
The Project: The Santa Clara Unified School District is a school district in Silicon Valley, serving three cities in Santa Clara County, California: Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, and San Jose. The Agnews Campus in the district is an innovative, K-12 school solution featuring elementary, middle, and high school facilities. Constructed in 2020 and 2021, the campus serves more than 3,000 students in San Jose in the heart of Silicon Valley.
The Challenge: The school district worked with LPA Design Studios, Inc., a California-based integrated architectural and engineering design firm, to design the school buildings with a high-tech aesthetic. The design team wanted to convey a futuristic and higher-end look and feel─even in the restrooms. “Our main goals for the restrooms were to maximize ease of use, clean and modern aesthetics, and maintenance,” said Alice Kim, project interior designer, LPA. Specifying an institutional, standard-looking sink for the washrooms wouldn’t do, explained LPA design coordinator Kathryn Gray. “We searched for a handwashing approach to balance the desired functionality and efficient use of space in the restrooms with a much more aesthetically pleasing solution.”
The Solution: The design team considered several handwashing models and ultimately landed on an all-in-one faucet, soap, and hand dryer fixture. These fixtures were paired with one-piece rectangular washbasins and became the standard for all 136 campus restrooms. "The manufacturer was kind enough to allow the district to utilize one of the specified sinks with an all-in-one fixture in the district office in order to test the functionality and durability,” Gray explained. “The unit performed well encouraging the district to move forward with utilizing the sinks and three-in-one fixture on all three campuses." With touch-free soap, water, and hand dryer in one single chrome-plated component, the fixture makes handwashing easier, more accessible, and more hygienic. Sleek, elongated washbasins made of nonporous natural quartz were also specified. A total of 147 fixtures were specified with single-, double- and triple-station washbasins. “With combined and integrated functions, the design met the needs of easy access and usage, as well as clean aesthetics,” Kim said.
The Results: The elongated basin and the three-in-one fixture are designed to work together to eliminate water dripping onto the user, walls, or floor. “The units eliminated facility personnel’s concern of dripping water from sink basin to hand dryer, which could result in slip/fall hazard,” said Kim. “Another benefit to using the integrated design is that it helped eliminate many other restroom accessories giving a clean finished look,” added Gray. As LPA plumbing project manager Greg Webb, points out, the unique design with LED lighting actually encourages kids to wash their hands: “The students have really picked up on the advanced and futuristic design of the wash stations,” said Webb. “There are lots of selling points that come with this solution—its innovative design sold itself.”
CONCLUSION
Americans remain very concerned about good hygiene in commercial washrooms as a means to help protect their health. This is evidenced by recent surveys that indicate an overwhelming majority react favorably to well-designed washrooms and will avoid places that have poorly designed or maintained restrooms. There are numerous options to help respond to this need including touchless fixtures and accessories, hygienic, easy-to-clean materials, and all-in-one wash stations that eliminate waste and improve user experiences. Providing attentive restroom design in buildings of all types provides several benefits to facility stakeholders, including owners, users, employees, and visitors/guests. Those benefits range from infection control/hygiene, restroom functionality, long-term durability, improved maintenance, elevated aesthetics, consumer satisfaction, greater user privacy, and business return on investment.
Peter J. Arsenault, FAIA, NCARB, LEED AP is a nationally known architect and a prolific author advancing positive acoustical experiences through better building design. www.pjaarch.com, www.linkedin.com/in/pjaarch