Author: ARIDO Ontario

Inclusive Design in Action: Ottawa City Hall’s Gender-Neutral Washrooms

LWG Architectural Interiors had the opportunity to work with the City of Ottawa in transforming their public washroom facilities into the first fully inclusive gender-neutral washrooms in City Hall.

Interior Designers: David Gibbons, ARIDO, Melanie Tracey, ARIDO and Lori Trask, ARIDO
Design Firm: LWG Architectural Interiors

Toilet stall doors are on the left and accros from them on the right is the barrier free sink area.

The traditional male and female washrooms, original to the building which opened in 1990, were integrated into one single gender-neutral facility, incorporating fully private individual toilet rooms, universal washroom facilities and a nursing lounge.

These washrooms have been well-received by City of Ottawa staff and the public alike, and have been referenced numerous times by public washroom advocates on CBC radio as an excellent example of what a public washroom facility should aspire to be.

The sink area across from the toilet stalls, with barrier free sink, three well lit mirrors above the three sinks, all hanging on a wood finish
White stone top barrier free single sink that hangs off a wall with horizontally laid wide plank wall tile in a neutral grey

The LWG design team, led by Principal/Interior Designer David Gibbons and designed by Associate/Interior Designer Melanie Tracey and Interior Designer Lori Trask, paid close attention to the lighting design, with the intent of creating a warm, welcoming respite from the hustle and bustle of the very busy City Hall. Materials, finishing and detailing were carefully selected and articulated with longevity in mind, both aesthetically and practically.

Inclusion Initiative at Ottawa City Hall