A new study into the impact commercial washroom design can have on user experience has found that wellbeing is the number one social factor that designers think will impact washroom design over the next five years.
The report ‘Creating better washrooms’, commissioned by Armitage Shanks, surveyed 2000 office workers and 400 commercial washroom designers from across Europe on a range of topics, including wellbeing, gender, sustainability, technology and social media.
The survey found that nine in 10 office washroom designers believe this space can have an impact on end users’ wellbeing – a view that is shared by three quarters of office workers themselves. 64% of office workers surveyed even said that workplace washrooms affect their general job satisfaction. In the UK, around 73% of designers agreed that washrooms are the most difficult rooms to design and plan in commercial projects.
Data from the survey was compared with global studies to outline how designers can deliver more effective and impactful spaces that meet the needs of end users – now and in the future – in light of changing work-life patterns, demographics and technological innovation.
When comparing designers’ and end users’ priorities, the study found that, while there are broad similarities, end users rate aspects such as privacy and space more highly than designers think.
The study was led by chartered architect and academic at the Belfast School of Architecture Dr Saul M Golden. He comments: “The findings offer new insights into people’s views on washroom hygiene, health and comfort, as well as a holistic view of the environmental, economic and technological aspects of washroom design. They therefore aim to help designers deliver value-added washrooms that not only act as more competitive comfort-driven, accessible and inclusive spaces, but also contribute to company brand image and potential ROI.”
Stephen Ewer, MD of Ideal Standard UK (Armitage Shanks’ parent company): said: “The way people use commercial washrooms is undoubtedly changing as society becomes increasingly centred on city-based living, working and leisure activities. Given the evidence linking washrooms to improved job satisfaction and productivity, it’s also clear that there must be a move away from design that focuses solely on hygiene and utilitarian features, and towards design that considers personal comfort and other factors that affect wellbeing.”
To download the full ‘Creating better washrooms’ report, click here.
