Toilets for schools and other educational facilities bring unique design challenges
Designers face unique challenges developing toilet facilities for schools and other educational facilities — creating functional, attractive, and durable toilet facilities requires a delicate balance of practical considerations and creative solutions.
The unfortunate truth is that toilet facilities in educational environments can present many opportunities for anti-social student behaviour out of sight of teachers and administrators.
Activities such as vaping, alcohol and drug use, and illicit mobile phone use can (and do) all occur inside school toilets. Common facilities open up the potential for bullying incidents, and toilets can also be vulnerable to vandalism and malicious damage.
Addressing all this requires thoughtful planning.
In addition, facilities need to be inclusive, and easily accessible to all.
Longevity and maintenance present another challenge: educational toilet facilities experience high foot traffic that subjects them to greater wear and tear. Minimising both maintenance and life cycle costs demands careful consideration of construction methods and materials.
Key recommendations for success
There are several smart choices that can help ensure student safety while maximising durability, aesthetics, and ease of maintenance.
Little things like installing vape detectors can keep a lid on smoking, while switching to single-cubicle toilets can reduce opportunities for bullying and other anti-social activities. To simplify maintenance and cleaning in facilities designed like this, ensure small gaps are incorporated under the cubicle walls. That allows cleaners to hose out the entire facility at once.
Stainless steel mini-orb internals are very vandalism-resistant. These (or aluminium composite materials) provide excellent impact resistance and are difficult to dent. Plus, the ribbed profile discourages graffiti and facilitates easier cleaning.
High-quality, durable stainless steel fixtures and doors also provide increased impact resistance and prioritise cleanliness. And, to maximise accessibility, ensure the design adhere to the AS1428 Australian Standard.
By incorporating these factors and features, designers can create toilet facilities that are not only functional and durable but also visually appealing and well-suited to urban environments.
Products ideal for park settings
Whitehaven
This multi-amenity design is suitable for many uses, but especially principally for coastal, beach and foreshore applications. The unique flared roof and central gutter works well for water collection.
WhitehavenAtlantis
Combines a shade shelter with toilet facilities in a contemporary design suited to rest stops. Supplement with a table settings, bollards and bin surrounds.
AtlantisEducational facility toilet installation success stories
Meeniyan Primary School
The school needed to replace an existing toilet block that was old, worn down and non-compliant with many Australian Standards. The building also needed to service 155 students with…
Read MoreMercy Regional College
Mercy Regional College needed a larger, clean, private, compliant, and aesthetically pleasing toilet facility. Partnering with Baldasso Cortese Architecture & Design, we delivered a…
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