Transformational Toilets

January 2023 |Ellie Groom

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Customer Toilets are often overlooked as a secondary element to an F&B or hospitality project, which can easily result in WC’s that feel very detached from the overall design of the restaurant, bar or hotel interior.

In fact its often the first place clients look to save money as its often viewed as a background element to the overall customer experience. However, with most customers making at least a single trip to the WC’s during their visit – why shouldn’t they be just as spectacular?

 

We take a look back at some of our favourite customer toilets, designed for restaurants, bars and pubs across the UK and Ireland.

 

The Twelve Tellers – Preston

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© Photography by Pippa Hudson

 

Located in the basement of a grade II listed former bank at the heart of Preston, we were keen to design these toilets to feel authentic within the grandeur of the imposing Baroque-style building itself.

 

We commissioned historic tile specialists; H&E Smith to replicate some original hand-made ceramic panels that had been discovered in an upper bathroom within the building. They have been used to add decorative Victorian detailing to the lower wall panels, paired with an off-white base tile to give a slightly convincingly aged look. A dark green 3D ceramic moulding has then been used to form a shoulder-height dado rail and matching 3D ceramic skirting.

 

In contrast – the original Victorian exposed brickwork has been retained to some of the basement walls and richly stained timber cubicles were used to bring warmth into the space.

 

A simple large format, non-slip, off-white porcelain tile has been used as the main floor tile with a small format charcoal black tile inserted to create a pinwheel/ hopscotch tile pattern.

 

Inspired by grand Victorian baths, a bespoke copper wash trough & copper plated sanitaryware provides a back-to-back vanity station forming a centrepiece to the scheme. Double sided mirrors have been mounted to black tubular frames above the basins allowing glimpses through to each side of the vanity allowing the user to appreciate the full space.

 

Gunmetal cast-iron radiators add to the authenticity of the design.

 

The Three Tun Tavern – Dublin

© Photography by Pippa Hudson

 

An eclectic mix of monochromatic patterned tiles have been used here to create a feature wall behind the vanity and wash basins. A simple elongated rectangular plain tile has been applied to the adjacent walls to add contrast. Rather than run these in a standard horizontal or vertical format, these have been installed at 45 degrees in brick-bond to add further interest to the space and draw your focus to the feature wall.

 

Aged copper basins have been positioned on a light granite cantilevered vanity unit and have been paired with matching wall mounted sensor taps to add warmth and further contrast to the tiles. Timber framed mirror have been positioned above each basin, stained to compliment the warm tone of the copper sanitaryware.

 

Shaker-style cubicle doors with decorative cross-bracing details, T&G boarding and brass ironmongery have been used to add a punch of colour to the WC’s.

 

A simple concrete effect vinyl floor has been laid to add to the monochromatic backdrop and add a subtle, raw industrial aesthetic. Vinyl flooring is used here to suit the high footfall and provide superior slip resistance compared with floor tiles. The flooring is self-coved to form a homogeneous skirting to the walls for ease of maintenance and cleaning.

 

Hamilton Hall – London, Liverpool Street

© Photography by Pippa Hudson

 

Why work against the original architecture when you can use it to your advantage?

 

Here we have utilized an old fanlight window salvaged from the site to create a feature mirror above the vanity basins. The frame has been repaired and painted and glass replaced with a lightly antiqued silver mirror. The mirror has been mounted off the wall and ambient LED lighting applied to the perimeter to give it a soft glow enhancing it as a central element to the design.

 

We’ve also retained the original exposed brickwork as the main wall finish applying contrasting marble effect tiles only to new walls and service risers. This creates a rich, warm interior that celebrates the original fabric of the building rather than hiding it away to suit its new purpose.

 

A white-washed, black & white, timber effect vinyl floor has been used here to downplay it as an element of the design, allowing the feature walls to sing through.

 

A bespoke marble effect pendant light has been hung in the shopfront, to tie in with the finish of the wall tiles, helping to tie new and old elements of the design together.

 

A feature leather armchair has been positioned to help soften the hard aesthetic and bring a subtle touch of comfort to the ladies WC’s.

 

The original windows to the shopfront have been restored. We have made a conscious decision not to frost these – allowing elevated views of Liverpool Street station from within the vanity area. This also enhances the shopfront by giving the pub a stronger presence in a visually busy environment.

 

The Iron Duke – Wellington

© Photography by Pippa Hudson

 

The vaulted ceiling of these basement toilets make for a truly unique experience within this Grade II listed converted Town Hall.

 

The original exposed red brick ceiling has been left exposed to maximise height within the WC’s while utilizing an existing architectural feature to really change the spacial and experiential quality of the toilets. Essentially its a ‘free win’ – allowing us to create a space that feels tailored and unique when all we’re really doing is showcasing an original feature of the building.

 

This obviously brings with it some challenges – notably ventilation and lighting which we wanted to avoid cluttering the ceiling. Larger duct sizes and higher pressure fans were required for ventilation via wall mounted extract fans. We opted for wall mounted lighting to create lantern-like glows to enhance the sub-subterranean feel of the space.

 

The ceiling has also been enhanced with simple brick-bond subway tiles to the walls to provide added contrast. We’ve opted for glazed variable blue accent tiles in the Gents WC’s and a bold red ceramic tile in the ladies to frame views and highlight structural elements of the design.

 

The South Strand – Dublin

© Photography by Pippa Hudson

 

We always strive to create a slightly different spin on the design between Ladies and Gents WC’s, whether that’s subtle changes to finishes or a completely different design language.

 

Here we’ve used richly coloured ceramic subway tiles in both toilets. A dark grey ceramic tile ties the two spaces together as the common thread but we have opted for a petrol blue feature tile to the Ladies and a mustard yellow for the Gents.

 

Cubicle doors and mid-century inspired, industrial wall paneling has been stained in a rich walnut finish to add to the warmth of the space. We’ve used a chunky oak cornice to the ceiling in both rooms to add to the Victorian grandeur of these otherwise modest spaces.

 

A black marble effect composite stone has been used to form a statement cantilevered vanity unit with panelled front detailing. Recessed mirrors have been integrated into the wall tiling by framing them with a contrasting 3D ceramic moulding. A similar ceramic moulding has been used to form a continuous picture rail around the Ladies WC’s lining through with the top edge of the mirrors as if they were hanging from the rail on picture hooks.

 

Static glass pendant lights have been positioned in between the mirrors to add some elegance to the Ladies WC’s.

 

A terrazzo effect, non-slip porcelain floor tile has been used to add some texture to the design.

 

The Mossy Well – Muswell Hill

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© Photography by Marc Wilson

 

Here we’ve tried to create a more playful, casual design aesthetic for the customer WC’s. Located in a converted milk depot/ tea room the industrial elements of the existing structure hinted towards a more paired back rustic design.

 

It was important to KDPA that the interior reflect the quirky character of the building and so an eclectic scheme was developed seamlessly merging reclaimed, vintage items with the raw fabric of the structure leaving one guessing at what was original and what had been added.

 

Reclaimed pine doors have been re-purposed as screens to mount back-to-back mirrors over the island vanity unit. Old ironmongery elements have been left intact to further enhance the reclaimed nature of these. The vanity unit has been constructed from London yellow stock bricks to tie in with the existing masonry, while a concrete effect composite worktop used to connote an agricultural stone trough.

 

Raw-concrete effect, non-slip vinyl flooring has been used here to add to the industrial aesthetic that would have dominated the milk depot. 1930’s style paneled cubicle doors have been used to provide a more domestic scale in contrast to the industrial elements.

 

If you’re interested in seeing more of the inspirational customer WC’s we’ve created, or would like to discuss how we can help transform your hospitality space – please get in touch here.

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