Visitor centre toilet refurbishment at National Trust
Overview:
Focus Washrooms led the refurbishment and expansion of washrooms at a National Trust visitor centre, enhancing the facility's capacity and functionality. The project, in collaboration with Hollis Global, involved a comprehensive strip-out and redesign of the existing washrooms to meet urgent needs following the expiry of temporary planning permission for an external toilet block in December 2023.
Project:
Our skilled team executed a complete overhaul of the visitor centre's washrooms, transforming the space to include expanded male and female facilities, two accessible Doc M toilets, family-friendly rooms, staff amenities, and a dedicated area for cleaning and maintenance. We ensured a seamless integration of new mechanical and electrical systems, modernising the infrastructure with underground drainage, fire safety enhancements, and improved lighting. The refurbishment featured high-quality finishes, including solid grade laminate cubicles and bespoke vanity units, to elevate the user experience.
Challenges:
A significant aspect of the project was to compensate for the removal of the external toilet block by increasing the internal capacity. Catering to diverse needs, we prioritised accessibility and family-friendly features. Technical challenges included installing a new hot water system and a heat recovery ventilation (HRV) unit to meet specific performance criteria within tight spatial and time constraints. Our proactive approach and adaptability were demonstrated by successfully navigating supply chain issues and ensuring the HRV system was efficiently integrated without disrupting the overall project timeline.
Result:
The project was delivered on schedule, meeting all contractual obligations and exceeding stakeholder expectations. Our ability to swiftly address mechanical and electrical challenges, coupled with effective collaboration with all parties involved, was particularly commended by the M&E consultant. This project underscores Focus Washrooms' commitment to delivering high-quality, user-centric washroom solutions.
“Thank you to all of your team’s hard work on this. Our client is very happy with the results.”
“Everyone loves our new toilets and really think the colour scheme works well. Thanks for all your help.”