Archetech Issue 46 2020 | Page 32

BETTER RESTROOM DESIGN THE DIFFERENTIATING FACTOR How to Help (or Harm) Your Building’s Reputation with Restroom Design In 2010 Tom Peters, author of the seminal book ‘In Search of Excellence’, summarized decades of consulting experience in another must read book, ‘The Little Big Things” He says that best practices for business success are a summation of the pursuit of excellence in many small, yet important, details. Chapter 1 is fittingly titled ‘It’s all about the restrooms!, where he writes “To me, a clean, attractive and even imaginative loo is the best ‘WE CARE’ sign in a retail shop or professional office - and (attention!) it goes double when it comes to employee restrooms! So, Step #1: Mind the restrooms!” When designers take off the blinders and work with a full array of How can we quantify the impact of restrooms on a business? A Harris Interactive poll found that 50% of people who encounter a dirty restroom would discuss it with friends and family, while 86% equate the cleanliness of a restaurant’s restroom with the cleanliness of its kitchen. According to a Zogby International poll more than 80% of consumers would avoid a restaurant with a dirty restroom, not just the restroom - the restaurant altogether. with designers for providing peace of mind. Over many decades Public bathrooms are impactful. The attention paid by architects and building owners in creating these, most private, spaces, says that you care and can influence the behavior of customers, employees, students, and others. This can play a critical role in improving customer loyalty, and even employee performance, which has been proven to generate incremental revenue and increase profitability. bathrooms, in iconic buildings like the Port House, in Antwerp (Zaha What does good bathroom design entail? Simply, thoughtfulness, creativity and a willingness to let go of old habits. Standards have changed, the needs of the general population have evolved and the buildings that dot today’s landscape today reflect this new paradigm. However bathrooms, at times, are designed using an old blueprint and sadly they don’t reflect the design intent of the buildings overall architecture. new product types, as well as with a full pallet of materials and colors, they can create restrooms that echo the building’s design. Working with manufacturers that offer unbiased guidance, which stems from offering the broadest selection of innovative products, can make all the difference. ASI Group is your Source for Better Washroom Design The ASI Group and the products we offer have earned a reputation we have built a global manufacturing and sales footprint offering an unrivaled selection of innovative washroom accessories, toilet cubicles, lockers and even visual display products - in more colors and materials - that anyone in the world. This has afforded us the privilege of providing products for iconic Hadid), the Residence Palace, HQ of the EU Council in Brussels (Philippe Samyn and Partners), the Apple HQ in California, and Shanghai Disneyland in China. . Whether you are creating a one of a kind architectural landmark or renovating an existing building allow us to assist you as well. Call our European headquarters in Belgium, 03 / 360.91.20 or visit asi-alpaco.com. In the UK contact Gavin Whitehead (+44 7498 488579 /  [email protected]) or John Whitfield (+44 7958 385243 / jwhitfield@americanspecialties. com. The ASI Group - asigroup.us.