Modern commercial bathrooms: Where hygiene and aesthetics meet

From offices to hotels, retail spaces, restaurants and even warehouses, there are countless examples of commercial spaces, which, while different in function, face the same key challenge in terms of bathroom design.

Namely, designing bathrooms that can meet the hygiene needs of a high-traffic public space while maintaining a cohesive and contemporary design aesthetic.

Drainage

One of the most crucial aspects of any wet space is drainage. While pooling, flooding and water damage are some of the most obvious issues, design aesthetics are another important consideration. Not only can traditional drainage solutions be unsightly, but they can also add unnecessary work during the tiling process.

These issues can be avoided by using tile inserts, which are essentially a more modern way to conceal how floor waste exits the building. One such example is Lauxes Grates’ Slimline Tile Insert, an aluminium linear drainage solution with a hollow top tray to insert a tile and give an "invisible drainage" look.

According to the supplier, one of the key benefits of this product is that it's made from anodised aluminium, making it lightweight and easy to cut while remaining strong and durable. The use of aluminium also prevents the tile insert from rusting; an issue prevalent in older drainage solutions that are often made of stainless steel.

The use of linear grates also creates more flexibility in terms of aesthetics, with the ability to insert virtually any tile and create a seamless look. And importantly, it saves time during the tiling process when compared to traditional centre wastes. For example, with a centre waste, the fall of the bathroom needs to be located towards the centre of the room and tiles need to be cut to fit, compromising on aesthetics while also increasing labour time and waste of materials. With linear grates, you only need one fall and can avoid multiple cuts, resulting in a cleaner aesthetic.

One good example of the Slimline Tile Insert in use is in Little National Hotel in the Sydney CBD. Located above Wynyard Station, the Bates Smart-designed hotel houses over 200 rooms, created with affordable luxury at the forefront. The hotel includes 150 Slimline Tile Insert grates throughout, which are used to hold the large-format white tiles while providing essential water waste drainage. According to the supplier, with no visible holes and an easy roll out cleaning feature, the grates were an ideal solution for the hotel's design.

Another good drainage option is Stormtech's 120SCS Shower Screen Support drain. This new product is a versatile linear drainage system that acts as a drain for both sides of the shower screen, plus a support for the shower screen itself. It also includes a Shower Screen Support Channel for any Stormtech grating style.

According to the supplier, wall-to-wall installation allows a simple dual fall across the bathroom. As a result, a single floor waste can drain the entire bathroom, once again saving time in the tiling and design process, as it avoids the need for a traditional centred floor waste. Because the simple dual fall sheds water more effectively, this also makes it possible to use larger-format tiles.

Improved waterproofing is another key benefit, as the waterproofed substrate falls towards the location under which the Shower Screen Support Channel drain will be placed, meaning less water will travel through grout joints due to effective water-shedding. And because the drain will be away from the entry door to the bathroom, water thrown towards the door will run back to the drain, lessening the risk of bathroom flooding.

Sensor taps and dispensers

While hygiene is always a key concern in bathroom design, especially in commercial buildings, the recent COVID-19 pandemic has brought this to the forefront even more. As a result, sensor-enabled tapware and soap dispensers have become more important than ever.

One good option is Caroma's Liano II and Urbane II Bathroom Sensor tapware range, which the supplier describes as "the perfect solution for the commercial bathroom". With touchless activation, the range of taps and soap dispensers promotes high hygiene standards while preventing water wastage. Matching tap and soap dispensers are also available in hob and wall-mounted configurations, making them suitable for a wide range of bathroom layouts.

Another suitable solution is Galvin Engineering's CliniMix CMV2 electronic tapware. Manufactured to high standards, the CMV2 has AS 4032.4 approval and is compliant with modern healthcare requirements. Its innovative design features a hygiene flush feature, thermal disinfection and a smooth tubular spout, making it easy to clean while minimising internal and external bacteria growth.

If lead is a concern, the CMV2 has a Lead Safe range that has been redesigned and re-engineered to provide safer water delivery by utilising specialist materials such as stainless steel, plastic or polymers that are free of lead, as well as DZR brass with low lead levels. According to the supplier, an additional benefit of this range is its ability to reduce water and energy usage, along with administration and maintenance costs, due to continuous monitoring of the TMV temperature during day-to-day use and the implementation of automatic hygiene flushes.

Another good option is Billi's contactless sensor tap range, which has been designed as a solution for modern, ultra-hygienic bathrooms, providing a combination of sustainability, ergonomics and design compatibility for a range of architectural applications. One of the key benefits of this product is its user-friendly and ergonomic design, which conforms to current Australian Standards for ease of use by persons with a disability. This makes it suitable for a wide range of commercial spaces, including healthcare spaces. As the taps are automated, this also reduces ongoing maintenance due to the elimination of moving parts such as levers and knobs that are prone to wear and tear through heavy use.

According to the supplier, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for sensor-enabled solutions to prevent the spread of disease, and the use of hygiene measures like sensor taps is an important step towards creating a greater perception of safety in offices and public spaces. And with more people feeling safe to frequent these spaces, says Billi, the net effect will be a vital boost to the economy.

Smart mirrors

Sometimes, mirrors are more than meets the eye. This is certainly the case with smart mirrors, which make an innovative and tech-forward addition to any bathroom. They may not be widespread across Australian commercial spaces yet, but they are an attractive solution that represents the next step forward in bathroom technology.

One such example is ASI JD MacDonald's Velare Behind the Mirror Cabinets, designed to "elegantly conceal clutter". Made from stainless steel, the cabinet houses a hands-free automatic soap dispenser, plus your choice of a paper towel dispenser or high-speed hand dryer including a HEPA filter. The mirrored door features 6mm thick tempered glass, which is supported by twin damped gas springs when opened, and includes etched backlit icons directing the user to their choice of soap and hand drying options.

A good example of this product in use is in the Shanghai Pudong Development Bank in Shenzhen, China. Designed by M Moser Associates, the tower includes 23 floors and over 200,000 square feet of office space, combining banking services and office functions in a single building.

In dealing with such a large-scale project, one of the biggest challenges was to make efficient use of the available space. Part of this was the need to incorporate 99 hand washing stations in public bathrooms and dining rooms throughout the SPDB headquarters.

With space efficiency in mind, and the desire to maintain the building's architectural aesthetics, M Moser selected the ASI Velare Behind the Mirror Cabinet system, due to its ability to elegantly conceal a paper towel dispenser or hand dryer and soap dispenser. Its functionality, paired with its sleek, sophisticated design made it an ideal choice for the SPDB headquarters.

Suppliers

ASI JD MacDonald

Billi

Caroma

Galvin Engineering

Lauxes Grates

Stormtech

Image: Caroma