Natural History Museum: Central Hall Toilets
A woodland scene on a glazed wall greets you as you enter the newly refurbished Central Hall toilets at the Natural History Museum in London.
The toilets were refurbished to meet the demand from higher visitor numbers (both the public and clients who use the museum for conferences and evening events) and to create high quality contemporary facilities that reflect the Museum´s ethos and profile.
Female toilet provision has increased by 60% to help reduce queues. This together with a more rational layout, a new Men’s entrance, better disabled access and circulation routes, (the toilets link the Creepy Crawlies Gallery and the Central Hall) has made the facility more efficient and accessible.
Natural History Museum: Central Hall Toilets
Understanding and respecting how the existing buildings were originally conceived was a key element of the brief. Part of Sir Alfred Waterhouses´ pioneering ´terracotta skin´ has been repaired and exposed, and all new materials, from the terrazzo splash-backs and floor surfaces, to the Formica toilet cubicles clad in ´Zebrano´ veneer, have been used to compliment the fine detailing of the existing interior. All materials are hardwearing to reduce maintenance, and sensor flow taps have been used to save water, which comes from a bore-hole beneath the Museum.
This project is one of several being delivered under a four-year framework agreement that Berman Guedes Stretton has with the Natural History Museum. It is hoped that the new toilet design will create a design template that can be used elsewhere in the Museum.
Natural History Museum: Central Hall Toilets
Client: The Natural History Museum
Completion: 2012
Contract Value: various
