British Toilet Association: Archived News from the British Toilet Association 

Office in City’s Creative Conveniences

BTA member Cambridge City’s latest state-of-the-art loos in Chesterton Road boast a contemporary and sustainable public convenience, a recycling centre nd an ‘Office To Let’.

Tristan Rees Roberts, Director of Freeland Rees Roberts Architects, commented: “We are delighted with the outcome of the latest public conveniences with office now let and are pleased to play a continuing role in the Council’s improvement programme. Jubilee House complements its surroundings and makes excellent use of recycled materials, sustainably sourced timber and water saving devices. The project is a result of extensive public consultation and our design responds to the many practical, contextual and environmental factors affecting the site, drawing upon our experience in designing the two previous public conveniences for the Council. The office is ideally suited to the business of passenger cruises on the River Cam.”

Council Leader, Ian Nimmo Smith, who is also a West Chesterton ward councillor, said: “Jubilee House forms part of the City Council’s commitment to providing high quality services which people feel safe and confident to use.  It is a creative public building with excellent services on offer. Its design is very much geared to reducing crime and antisocial behaviour and having both an occupied office and a recycling centre will give users a sense of confidence and safety. The building is highly innovative and is constructed using sustainable materials and incorporates a number of energy saving initiatives. Together, these demonstrate the City Council’s commitment to investing in modern and safe facilities and our commitment to reducing the carbon footprint of Cambridge. The new facility also serves to bring the nearby permanent river moorings up to modern standards and improve the overall aesthetics of the riverside site. “

Jubilee House, designed by Freeland Rees Roberts Architects and built by regional contractor Kier Eastern, replace the former recycling unit and public conveniences built in the 1960’s that had fallen below acceptable standards. The amenities have been brought closer to Chesterton Road, which, together with other good practice in public toilet design, provide for greater safety for users.

The concept for the development, which makes extensive use of timber, was generated by the significant presence of a large chestnut tree and consists of two interlocking leaf-shaped canopies sheltering the different facilities. Four toilet cubicles are provided, including one for disabled access/carer and baby, one for female use only and two standard cubicles.

The design concept portrays a striking form constructed from simple timber sections.  The building is finished in self-coloured render with a zinc metal roof whilst the cubicles have factory finished aluminium doors. External hard landscaping comprises resin bound gravel and recycled glass set in resin whilst low energy lighting is provided to illuminate the facilities at night.  The office has timber framed glazing opening onto the terrace. Level access to all toilet cubicles, recycling facilities and the office space is included in the design.  The design layout does not harbour any hidden areas but purposefully presents open spaces that are highly visible from the street.

The recycling facilities incorporate underground storage bins, thereby reducing noise and smell.  Other sustainable design features include a rainwater-harvesting tank buried in the ground below the building to be used for flushing toilets. A display monitor on the outside of the building indicates the number of litres of water used from the tank versus mains water. ‘Sunpipes’ are built into the office and each WC cubicle to maximise the use of natural light. The thermal insulation, foamglas, made from recycled glass, is in excess of building regulations and the timber used for the frame building is sustainably sourced FSC timber. Other sustainable and energy-saving features include water saving taps in the office; linoleum flooring (hemp and linseed oil) in the kitchen and toilet; a natural wool carpet is to be installed in the main office and a zinc metal roof, which can be recycled in the future.

This latest public convenience project for Freeland Rees Roberts Architects was their third successive competition-winning design for Cambridge City Council, following the award-winning Victoria Avenue and Gonville Place toilets which form part of the City Council’s major investment programme to provide high quality public facilities.

Below: ‘Trio of Toilets’ designed by Freeland Rees Roberts Architects for Cambridge City Council.