Loos in offices - private or suite - your preference?

[kabbes]

To quote Ben Elton from back in the days when he was actually still satirical: "The disabled don't have sex. That's why they all have to share the same loo."

Why not just make ALL the toilets into single cubicals that are able to be used by the disabled and not-yet-disabled alike?

 

[ViolentPanda]

Incidentally, I know that the idea that all women are a nurturing sisterhood who can't share their personal problems with any men is an attractive concept, but the reality is wildly different. In the world that I recognise, trust and an ability to talk about personal issues cuts cross-gender, with women being deeply uncomfortable sharing the things you mention with a lot of other women in the office, whilst being perfectly comfortable to talk about it with a lot of the men in the office.

Sometimes you're so "right-on" that you make me chuckle.

 

[ViolentPanda]

To quote Ben Elton from back in the days when he was actually still satirical: "The disabled don't have sex. That's why they all have to share the same loo."

Why not just make ALL the toilets into single cubicals that are able to be used by the disabled and not-yet-disabled alike?

The footprint. Most accessible cubicles are around twice the size (sometimes bigger) of a standard cubicle.

 

[kabbes]

The footprint. Most accessible cubicles are around twice the size (sometimes bigger) of a standard cubicle.

Sure, but the space that in our office is taken up by three standard cubicles, three urinals and three sinks could easily instead be used for four or even five disabled cubicles. In all, if you replaced the men's, women's and disabled loos with a suite of disabled-friendly cubicles, you'd pretty much have the same number of toilets, with a more efficient distribution network to boot (i.e. you wouldn't have the problem of the women's being full and the men's being empty).

 

[kabbes]

Sometimes you're so "right-on" that you make me chuckle.

I blame my mum doing various Social Studies type degrees betwen my ages of 5 and 12. It leaves deep impression, man.

 

[ViolentPanda]

Sure, but the space that in our office is taken up by three standard cubicles, three urinals and three sinks could easily instead be used for four or even five disabled cubicles. In all, if you replaced the men's, women's and disabled loos with a suite of disabled-friendly cubicles, you'd pretty much have the same number of toilets, with a more efficient distribution network to boot (i.e. you wouldn't have the problem of the women's being full and the men's being empty).

"Disabled cubicles" are ones where the loo doesn't work or the door doesn't lock.

 

[kabbes]

Fair point. I see that you used the term "accessible cubicles", which I take it is the preferred term?

Personally, I'd say that the world is made up of those who are already disabled and those who have not yet become disabled. Once you realise that, the idea of making things accessible suddenly seems a whole lot more attractive.

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

Private loos all the way.

if you think it is good getting paid to squeeze out a turd, think how fucking awesome it is to get paid to have a wank!

 

[ViolentPanda]

Fair point. I see that you used the term "accessible cubicles", which I take it is the preferred term?

It's the convenient term, and getting into the semantics around different terms used by people who utilise either the social or medical model of disability (and there are MANY partisans out there) is ultimately futile. It really does sometimes get to be a case of "political correctness gone mad"!

Personally, I'd say that the world is made up of those who are already disabled and those who have not yet become disabled. Once you realise that, the idea of making things accessible suddenly seems a whole lot more attractive.

Well, precisely.
Such a pity then that the government are only just, for example, getting round to actually enforcing the "Part M" building requirements that will require developers (social or private) to ensure accessibility. Such a pity that Bore-is doesn't think that making tube platforms accessible is worth the money.
Etc etc etc.

 

[Xanadu]

Can you do a communal loo but put proper walls with floor to ceiling doors between the cubicals?

There is nothing worse than sitting down for a poo only to have someone stride into the bogs, sit down in the cubicle next to you and start farting and splatting one out. Even worse when they exit the toilet as you're washing your hands so you can put name to noises.


Why not have private loos with a discrete loitering area to avoid waiting in the corridor and stuff.

Ideal middle ground. We had a toilet like that in a previous office. Overall, I prefer private style loos though. Means you've got somewhere with enough space to get changed/ready for a night out after work.

 

[haushoch]

Not to be a rabid disabled person or anything, but it may be worth checking the preponderance of people with disabilities in the workforce to make sure you get your kharzi ratio correct.
Oh, and don't assume that wheelchair users are the only people with mobility difficulties and/or health issues that will necessitate them using a "disability-accessible loo". Some ambulants use them to change colostomy bags or incontinence protection, others use them because they make getting on and off the loo easier (hand-rails, transfer bars etc).

I wouldn't make these kind of assumptions, I know that it's about being inclusive. I was only using the term wheelchair user toilet because disabled toilet is all wrong in my opinion.

I see what you're doing. It's 'cos we're disabled, innit? Not quite human enough not to have to share bogs like "proper" humans?

In this case it's for space reasons, this isn't a new built, they're ripping out the existing WCs and starting again, and it's a squeeze as it is, that's also why I would ideally like to convince the client that individual cubicles are the way to go, as that would create more generous spaces. With WC suites and lobbies, the lobbies would be quite cramped with the door opening into the area with the wash basins...

 

[kabbes]

There's never enough room for proper loos

 

[haushoch]

Get the impression this thread is just like the real world, men want private toilets, women want communal.

And bizarrely enough men then get urinals with no privacy whatsoever...

 

[kabbes]

Urinals -- even the word makes me wince. KILL THEM WITH FIRE.

 

[ymu]

It doesn't really matter which option you go for - but you should try and design out the disadvantages of the option you pick as far as possible.

Cubicle toilets either have sanitary disposal boxes in each one, often making it difficult to enter the cubicle and shut the door behind you (always always place the sanitary box on the same side as the door hinges, please), or they have a communal one in the lobby area which is just grim. They're too small to comfortably change in. If you've gotten all hot and sweaty, you can't strip off to have a proper wash. One large cubicle with a sink in it is a very nice thing indeed in a lobby toilet.

If the private cubicles would all be off one bit of corridor, this could be made into a sort of lobby - especially if it's not a through route to somewhere else. Extractor fans are essential, obv. I prefer unisex if they're private because there's no logical reason for them not to be.

If they're separated by gender, don't do the alternating floors thing - very irritating. And don't put them the wrong side of a security door either. Having to accompany visitors to the toilets just so they can get through the doors and back again is fucking stupid and far more expensive than the occasional laptop going walkabout (yes, I work in a building where they have this arrangement).

And bear in mind that women spend longer on the toilet than men. If toilet provision is minimal, and they're separated by gender, put proportionately more in for the women. I won't queue for a toilet if the gents is free, but it ain't fair on the poor boys standing at the urinal when the girls use theirs.

And don't give hot-air hand-dryers only. If you must have them, provide towels as well.

I'm female and I prefer private toilets. Partly because I just don't get the gossiping in the toilet thang - and I'd be far too paranoid about being overheard by unseen randoms in the cubicles to do it anyway. If you need a tampon, you go and ask a female colleague - they can be found all over the place, not just the ladies. If you need to let off steam you go to the coffee room or the smoking area, where you can see who else is present.

Quite surprised how strongly I feel about piss poor toilet design.

 

[paolo]

Urinals -- even the word makes me wince. KILL THEM WITH FIRE.

Same. In the workplace, dreadful.

 

[bi0boy]

Before this thread I never knew that women borrowed tampons off each other.

 

[strung out]

i don't think they ever give them back though

 

[Gerry1time]

And bizarrely enough men then get urinals with no privacy whatsoever...

Exactly. I sometimes think the world could be made a better place by just swapping all the gender signs on toilet doors, so women get communal and men get private.

It's the way you hear about women going into cubicles together or leaving the doors open that gets me. Privacy's wasted on them!

 

[RubyBlue]

I prefer the private option - I hate folk chatting to me at the sink while I'm washing my hands and unless you use a cubicle (which I do) there is little privacy in the mens - I don't want to chat at the sink while men are pissing behind me.

 

[Maurice Picarda]

Privacy, floor to ceiling partitions, super-strength extractor fans, a magazine rack and a dedicated washbasin are the dumping wishlist, but you need a urinal as well. Men will resent having to deal with cubicle door fastenings and then raise loo seats and so on when all they want is a piss.

 

[kabbes]

This man doesn't resent it!

 

[Maurice Picarda]

This man doesn't resent it!

You are a gender traitor, though.

 

[pseudonarcissus]

And don't put them the wrong side of a security door either. Having to accompany visitors to the toilets just so they can get through the doors and back again is fucking stupid and far more expensive than the occasional laptop going walkabout (yes, I work in a building where they have this arrangement).

I used to work in the defence industry where all paper work coming from a "restricted" classification workplace was treated as restricted, and incinerated securely. If the loo is in the restricted space the paperwork generated would have to be dried before incineration.

 

[pseudonarcissus]

I see that you used the term "accessible cubicles", which I take it is the preferred term?

so...1 accessible cubicle and 3 inaccessible ones?

I saw a sign for "differently abled" parking at the airport in Port of Spain a few months ago

why not say loos for wheelchair users....a blind or vision impared person my have other requirements.

CYCLISTS

so, in this workspace, if I cycle to work...where do I get changed/dry etc. How about a cubicle on the ground floor with a shower?

 

[moon]

The disabled toilets at work are like luxury suites, so I always use those instead of the stalls.

 

[Gerry1time]

Men will resent having to deal with cubicle door fastenings and then raise loo seats and so on when all they want is a piss.

No. Really. It's fine. It's about three seconds work, which i'll happily bear, as an alternative to having to show my schlong to someone i work with on a daily basis.

Really, urinals are as arcane as they are absurd. Down with them in all their forms.

 

[subversplat]

I've got a massive cock which is pierced all the way through so I love urinals. I wouldn't want to have to specifically go around showing off my nob you know

 

[Johnny Canuck3]

I'm an architect and I've been giving the exciting task of designing WC suites on 9 floors in an office building.

I've developed two approaches, one is the standard one, where you basically enter a shared lobby with the washbasins, mirrors & hand dryers, etc and then you have WC cubicles off that lobby, enclosed by the typical fairly light-weight partitions. One suite for the guys, one suite for the women, one separate unisex cubicle for wheelchair users.

The other approach is to do away with the suites altogether and have private WC cubicles off a corridor, enclosed by standard plasterboard walls. These are more spacious as you do not need any lobbies anymore, etc. They are also private, it's just you in there. The washbasin & mirror are all there inside the same space. Theoretically these could be unisex for more flexibility (the staff male / female ratio is 50/50 in this case), but of course, they can equally be allocated just for the guys or women (there is always a separate wheelchair user WC, which is unisex).

I like this option better, because I know that I would prefer to be in a more private space (plus selfishly it gives me way more scope for designing something nice for the space).

The boss reckons that people in offices like using WC suites, as they can have a little chat with each other, while washing their hands / checking their make-up / hair, or to pass the time of day (his words).

Really? What would you prefer? Private WC or WC suite shared with others?

The boss is fucked in the head. Does nobody ever tell this guy that he's full of shit? No pun intended.

Coworkers get to interact all day. A break away from your coworkers is nice. Most people don't want to strain at stool, and grunt out conversation in between. Also, most people would prefer not to smell what the person in the next stall is doing.

Also, what if you want a little nap?

People use shared toilet facilities because there's nothing else available, imo.

 

[The Groke]

Each bathroom should have a wank-break cubicle.

Soft, comfy seat, small bin tampon-style for tissues, magazine rack, no actual toilet.

Productivity would soar.