Nicknamed the ‘p-lab’ and ‘urination station’, the centralising of ‘business’ at Waimea Intermediate School has created increased classroom spaces by removing small toilet facilities spread throughout the existing school buildings.

With student safety paramount in the school’s thinking, this design pushed the definition of ‘privacy’ in order to give increased supervision of the internal space.  Banks for boys and girls toilets flank common washbasin lobbies with full height glass end walls.

The design reinforces materials and colours incorporated in other areas of the school. A philosophy of stewardship and student ownership allowed choices of materials and fittings that encouraged students to care for the facility.   Materials are low maintenance and robust with exposed blockwork, porcelain fixtures and plywood linings.

Fun and colourful, this facility provides some dynamic play with random exposed purlins, zigzag lighting and a floating wrapped roof shell.

The facility has reduced maintenance costs, with the use of low water use fittings, efficient low cost lighting, natural ventilation and lighting, and future greywater reuse allowances have minimised other ongoing service costs.