Walthamstow Wetlands is the capital's newest and largest urban
wetland nature reserve and encompasses 10 large reservoirs, which
deliver water to 3.5 million Thames Water customers and increases public
access to nature in an area of London deficient in open space. As part
of the scheme Architects Witherford Watson Mann designed a visitor
centre within a decommissioned Victorian pumping station, to house a
café and shop plus exhibition, learning and events spaces. Since the
buildings and landscape were already distinctive, they were treated with
a light touch. What capacity they had has been adapted for economical
and flexible operation, helping to build the long term sustainability of
this significant new community resource for East London.The sturdy
brick pumphouse was gently repaired, with new steel gantries threaded
through, to connect the rooms and offer views over this landscape of
water, woods and marshland.
When it came to the washrooms
they wanted to continue with the use of raw steel and an online search
brought them to Devizes based Relcross and an earlier project of theirs
featuring Hadrian steel toilet cubicles at the Oaks Restaurant in
Nottingham. While available to match almost any RAL colour, Hadrian
Steel cubicles can be supplied in a plain galvanneal finish for a
natural, industrial look. At Walthamstow they have been combined with
Staffordshire blue quarry tiles to the floor and Staffordshire red
quarry tiles to the walls for an overall effect that evokes the
functional industrial design of the original engine house but with
immense practicality for public washrooms at a very popular new
facility.
The doors and walls of the cubicles are steel faced
with a honeycomb core for amazing strength but lightness - so there's
no institutional sounding ‘clang' when the doors are closed.The
lightness means they require no special structural provisions to effect a
rigid installation on any type of floor. Importantly, they are easy to
clean and maintain and are very dent resistant. All corners of the
cubicles are mitred, welded and ground for superior strength. Privacy is
ensured by the use of continuous stop and hinge sight line fillers
together with a minimal 150mm gap from the floor to the underside of the
door and panels.
Due to their steel construction, Hadrian
toilet partitions are fire-resistant and will not give off toxic smoke
if exposed to heat or flame. On top of all that they also have excellent
green credentials as Hadrian's products feature a high recycled
content.
One of the four cubicles in the Ladies is enlarged
and features an outward opening door to allow room for the provision of
baby changing facilities. One of the two cubicles in the Gents is
similarly equipped.
For further information call 01380 729600, visit www.hadrian-cubicles.co.uk or email sales@relcross.co.uk
