Hamilton architects go number one in global washroom design contest

Two architects from Hamilton won international recognition for their design of a municipal park washroom.

“If you provide more beautiful spaces, people are going to treat them better,” said Alea Reid, intern architect from Design Partners in Architecture and Interiors (DPAI).

When you think of an outdoor, public park washroom, this is not what comes to mind.

Hamilton architects Alea Reid and Petra Matar entered the ‘To the Loo” challenge and won.

Fifty designers from all over the world competed. They were only given a design checklist and the goal of designing a public space for the number one, number two or number three spots.

“We thought about rainwater collection, so that water is then being used for the toilets. So you are no longer having to rely on municipal services for that,” said Reid.

The design also includes mobility and neuro-diverse accessibility considerations. The most unique feature? Audio art – an option to drown out other sounds, allowing the user to turn up the music.

The designers tell CHCH News this isn’t their first kick at the can.

“An all seasons bathroom just means that it provides for heating in the winter, enough to not let the pipes freeze,” said Matar.

DPAI is the Hamilton based firm Reid and Matar work for. Matar says their experience researching and designing this structure helped them win international recognition.

“We thought, ‘what else can we do?’ How can we actually design the best kind of washroom that responds especially to the needs of municipalities,” said Matar.

Now that their latest award-winning design has been flushed out, the team is focusing on a workable plan for distribution.

More information can be found on the DPAI website.

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