If you haven’t already noticed, today’s bathrooms are so much more than a functional space. “A tired and even unpleasant bathroom environment can make or break a company’s reputation,” says Total Facilities’ Event Manager, Andrew Lawson. “Our awards were established to encourage awareness and pride among Australia’s facilities and workplace management professionals. And they set a great precedent.”

Total Facilities, Australia’s largest facilities management exhibition, held its fourth eagerly anticipated Best Bathroom Competition earlier this year. The level of innovation and quality of the competition entries were noticeably impressive, with a broad range of applicants from various sectors – municipal works to educational facilities, they all have been successful in adopting new technologies to find the perfect balance between style, functionality and creativity.

To be more specific, since its introduction to bathroom facilities at the Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College, the project has received the fourth place award, with the bathroom being recognised for excellent qualities that surpassed the judging criteria.

“We evaluate bathrooms on design, innovation, aesthetics and products and services that improve the wellbeing for everyone,” explains Lawson. “This competition profiled some of the most progressive organisations which are at the forefront of bathroom experiences.”

The bathroom at Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College is simple, yet elegant and unlike a traditional student amenities block. These bathrooms are fitted with the latest sanitary technologies, catering for the amount of time students spend at school – ensuring a hygienic environment. With an added benefit of being sustainable too, this educational facility is at the forefront of the industry hoping to inspire young minds, no matter where they are in the building.

Corian® Washplanes were designed to minimise any possible water spray.  As such, the form of the product supports greater cleanliness in bathrooms, with no water dripping or spilling to the floor. As such, maintenance costs are reduced and, bringing with it, greater control over duty of care to end users. Combine this with the materiality aspect of the Corian® Washplane, and such maintenance costs are further reduced thanks to the simplicity and efficiency of caring for the original solid surface material.

The innovative approach to this project demonstrates that not only is an ideal ‘Bathroom Solution’ possible, but in fact very accessible. Once paired, the products work hand-in-hand, technically and aesthetically. The pure, elegant forms of Corian® Washplanes establish a beautiful solution for public bathrooms – like the one at Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College. 

Each year, the Best Bathroom Facility competition is open to public and private entrants, from a range of sectors including – but not limited to – commercial buildings, recreational grounds or shopping centres. But it’s only projects that exhibit stellar incorporations of the competitions criteria that are commended, proving that they have gone above and beyond with the design instead of just focusing on cleanliness.