Reedswood Primary School
Case Study
Client: Reedswood Primary School
Task: Design & Full Turnkey Installation
Location: Walsall, West midlands
Project Value: 65k
Project Duration: 3 Weeks
Two washrooms. One inclusive vision
Cr8tive Washrooms was entrusted with developing an innovative washroom design and specification for Reedwood Primary School in the West Midlands, transforming the existing separate boys’ and girls’ toilet facilities into one contemporary, shared washroom environment.
The primary objective was to challenge conventional school washroom design by creating a modern, welcoming and space-efficient facility that brought both boys’ and girls’ toilets together within a single, cohesive environment, while retaining clearly defined facilities for each.
Intelligent colour zoning – A natural flow through design
At the heart of our design concept was the introduction of intuitive colour-coded toilet cubicle doors, creating a simple yet highly effective visual distinction between the boys’ and girls’ facilities.
Rather than relying solely on traditional signage or physical segregation, carefully selected door colours were used to establish identifiable zones within the shared washroom environment.
Each colour was assigned to either the boys’ or girls’ facilities, allowing pupils to instinctively recognise and navigate towards their designated cubicles. This thoughtful approach created a natural, intuitive flow throughout the washroom, reducing confusion while maintaining a clear distinction between male and female toilet provision.
Importantly, the colour-coded design enabled the school to benefit from a unified washroom layout without compromising the individual privacy, dignity or comfort of its pupils.
The result was an innovative hybrid approach to school washroom design: one shared environment, two clearly identifiable facilities, seamlessly integrated through intelligent space planning and creative colour selection.
Key design objectives
Inclusive Design: Create a welcoming unisex washroom facility suitable for all pupils, removing traditional gender-based segregation.
Privacy & Safeguarding: Prioritise individual privacy through carefully considered cubicle configurations, layouts and sightlines.
Space Optimisation: Reconfigure the existing boys’ and girls’ facilities into one efficient, unified washroom environment.
Contemporary Aesthetics: Introduce a fresh, modern design that enhances the overall school environment.
Durability & Maintenance: Specify robust, hygienic and easy-to-maintain materials suitable for high-traffic educational settings.
Hygiene & Accessibility: Promote effective handwashing, ease of use and inclusive access through thoughtful fixture selection and spatial planning.
Our design philosophy
At Cr8tive Washrooms, we believe that successful school washroom design should balance creativity, functionality, safeguarding and individual privacy.
The Reedswood Primary School project demonstrates how innovative thinking and intuitive colour zoning can transform traditional boys’ and girls’ toilets into a modern, integrated washroom facility while preserving the identity and privacy of each designated area.
One Shared Space. Two Distinct Identities. Designed Around Every Pupil.
Key challenges
Combining Two Facilities into One Cohesive Washroom
Rethinking Traditional School Washroom Design
The primary challenge was transforming separate boys’ and girls’ toilets into one contemporary shared washroom while retaining clearly identifiable facilities for each. Intelligent space planning was essential to maximise the available area, improve pupil circulation and create a cohesive environment without compromising privacy or functionality.
Maintaining Privacy Through Intelligent Colour Zoning
One Shared Space. Two Distinct Identities.
A key design objective was to reduce pupil movement through the school building during unstructured periods. By creating new external door openings, access during break and lunch times could be managed directly from the playground or external areas.
Balancing Durability, Hygiene and Contemporary Design
Creating a Washroom Built for Everyday School Life
The challenge was to combine contemporary aesthetics with the durability demanded by a busy primary school. Robust cubicles, hygienic wall finishes and a bespoke communal wash trough were incorporated to maximise functionality. Coordinated mirrors and washroom accessories completed a practical, low-maintenance environment designed for everyday use.
The result
The completed refurbishment project has delivered modern, compliant and functional washroom facilities for the school's pupils. Washroom capacity was significantly increased through the conversion of existing staff facilities, and the new full-height cubicles provide appropriate privacy for secondary-age pupils.
New external access points support better pupil management during break and lunch periods, and all materials were chosen to be durable and hygienic to meet the demands of a busy secondary school. The project demonstrates how thoughtful design and specification, combined with compliant construction management, can transform existing building features into fit-for-purpose educational washroom facilities.
