Unisex toilet refurbishment with open plan washroom design at secondary school
Overview:
Focus embarked on a full refurbishment of four unisex washroom blocks at Ashlyn's School in Berkhamsted during the summer holidays. The project aimed to address behaviour issues in the washrooms while modernising the facilities for a more practical and safe environment for students. We were tasked with delivering this transformation within a tight timeframe.
Project design:
The project involved collaboration with the school’s Business Manager, Facilities Manager, and a Building Surveyor. It was tendered through a local surveying company, and Focus Washrooms worked closely with all stakeholders to propose value engineering solutions. These savings ensured the project could move forward without compromising the school’s main objectives.
The refurbishment included the transformation of four unisex washrooms, each equipped with 10 cubicles. A key design feature was the central hand wash area, strategically positioned to allow supervision from the corridor. This open plan washroom design helped improve behaviour by reducing opportunities for misconduct within the washrooms.
The works involved installing new sheet vinyl flooring, hygienic wall cladding, suspended plasterboard ceilings over the cubicles to prevent unwanted access, and upgraded plumbing, electrical, and ventilation systems. Focus Washrooms also installed totally private cubicles with floor-to-ceiling partitions, full-height duct panels. Vanity units and modern wash troughs completed the hand wash areas. A smart cream and woodgrain colour scheme was chosen to suit the rest of the school's interior.
Special features:
The original washrooms featured individual basins within each cubicle, which made the cubicles unnecessarily large and created opportunities for poor behaviour. The new design addressed these issues by centralising the hand wash area, making it visible from the corridor. This adjustment not only resolved behaviour challenges but also optimised the available space, allowing for smaller cubicles while maintaining privacy.
The project also came with a tight schedule, as it needed to be completed within the six-week summer holiday period, with only three weeks of lead time. We used our expertise and resources to ensure this deadline was met without compromising on quality.
The Result:
The project was completed on time and within budget, thanks to the fast-track programme and value engineering options proposed during the tender process. Ashlyn’s School was delighted with the results: modern, practical washroom facilities that addressed the school’s behavioural concerns and provided a clean, welcoming washroom environment for students.