Market Lane Public Conveniences

The facility needed to be able to deal with the year-round flow of tourists. The original 1950's building is undistinguished, but its position is central and important, situated close to a number of the cities major tourist attractions.

The interior was gutted, piles driven inside the walls and a steel structure inserted. Glazing on the entrance facade brings light into the building and emphasises a ground-floor attendant's room. A staircase to the men's toilet on the first-floor becomes a gently sloping bridge at its dog-leg turn, and passes visibly behind the facade glazing. The women's toilet, disabled toilets and baby changing are at ground floor level.

A central services duct allows easy access for maintenance. Cubicles are arranged around behind this duct rather than against walls where they would obstruct natural light. A heavy pivoting timber door and etched glass canopy give the entrance a modern presence.