"vanity"

The new washrooms created for this sophisticated office development in the heart of Mayfair were designed to blend classic and contemporary styles seamlessly, reflecting the building’s new unique interior design. Washroom's full height Alto toilet cubicles were finished in real wood dark oak veneer and were complemented by the bespoke Corian vanity units with integrated waste bins and bespoke Corian recessed duct bag shelf. Its Concerto integrated duct panelling system was faced with toughened back painted glass. For the staff shower and changing area, Washroom installed its Octave lockers, finished in the same dark oak real wood veneer.

Washroom's Forza SGL lockers and Legato benches combine to create a colourful new changing area for an office cycle centre. The Forza lockers, fitted with key operated locks, were specified with doors in HPL using four different colours from Sonae to create the distinctive eye-catching design. The changing area also features freestanding island Legato bench units manufactured with solid grade laminate slats and back rest plus wall-mounted Legato benching units in the combined changing and shower cubicles. Washroom's Arpeggio Corian trough-style vanity in white feature inset square sinks, integrated waste bins and wall-mounted taps.

Washroom created a distinctive staff shower and changing area using playful and bold primary colours and a natural wood finish. It's highly engineered full height Marcato shower cubicles were manufactured from 20mm solid grade laminate (SGL) and specified in a vibrant blue, while the pilasters were manufactured from birch and overlaid with black mesh. The bespoke Legato perimeter benching was manufactured from birch ply slats to complement the shower cubicles, and the Forza lockers were installed above in a Z shape configuration. Washroom also installed a bespoke white Corian vanity unit and make-up counter with inset waste bins.

Jane Valentine’s brief for this project was to create a contemporary bathroom whilst honouring the original elements of a Victorian-style home built in 1867.Beautiful white walls act as the perfect canvas for striking matt black tapware and a black framed shower screen. A bespoke vanity unit was constructed by KAM Joinery, and brings warmth and craftsmanship to the space.On choosing Victoria + Albert, Jane Valentine said: “The classical and elegant shape of both the Victoria + Albert Vetralla bath and Napoli 57 basin offered a perfect contrast to the bold black and white theme of the bathroom.”Photography: Loic Le GuillyBuild: Justyn DunnDesign: Valentine Interiors + Design

Helmsman supplied the full lockers and cubicle package including, benches, an integrated plumbing system (IPS) and vanity units.Most of the lockers and cubicles manufactured, supplied and delivered were from glass. Glass lockers and cubicles bring a sense of maturity and modern feel to the changing rooms.Moreover, they also requested to have Helmsman's front line cubicles range with a floating leg and hidden fixings for a more aesthetic look.Several different types of benches are fitted in the changing rooms, including island benches, double-sided benches with coat hook bars and, benches fixed wall to the floor. Installation of the project took place in several stages, which depended on the contractors and available floor space.

This is the fourth branch the luxury gym brand has opened in London and the second we’ve delivered eye-catching luxury shower and changing rooms for. We manufactured our Luminoso glass shower cubicles with bespoke saloon style cubicle doors specifically for Barry’s Boot Camp to create a sleek contemporary finish without external door pull handles. The unique cubicles were completed with black finish ironmongery to complement the black tiles around the showers. We also designed and installed bespoke Corian vanity units and grooming shelves, which were manufactured in the dark grey and heavily veined ‘Cosmos Prima’ colour, adding to the industrial-chic style of the changing area. 

This office building forms part of the More London complex of offices, retail units and restaurants close to London Bridge. The sleek new washrooms we delivered were designed with a minimal colour palette of natural oak and black. Our popular full height Alto toilet cubicles were finished with a natural oak real wood veneer and completed with matt black ironmongery including the striking vertical flat iron bar pull handles. Our Arpeggio solid surface Corian vanities were manufactured in a light grey shade to provide contrast to the black recessed sinks and tiled splashback while the underpanels were finished using the same natural oak veneer as the toilet cubicles

Washroom delivered new washrooms, colourful staff shower facilities and two new reception for a Mayfair office refurb. Washroom's highly engineered Marcato SGL shower cubicles with full height bright yellow doors and light grey pilasters and partitions. Each spacious shower cubicle includes an integrated Legato bench in the same bright yellow. Forza solid grade laminate Z-shaped lockers with key-operated locks were specified in two shades of grey to create a striking stripe effect within each bank of lockers. Solid surface vanity units in a light grey concrete-effect finish with inset sinks complete the contemporary new changing area.

With over nine million people visiting The O2 a year, ICON Outlet required a robust washroom solution to withstand the demands of a high traffic environment, while being easy to clean and maintain. Unity’s clean, modern and minimal cubicle design and the solid surface vanities in “Vermont” gave the washroom facilities a contemporary look, while being functional and hard-wearing. ICON Outlet selected our ground-breaking pre-plumbed Vepps system, making regular duct maintenance effortless thanks to its linear-bearing hinge.Vepps also makes it impossible for the public to access duct space, with specially engineered anti-tamper locks.Read the full case study for more details.

Scarborough Sports Village includes Prospec Marathon Classic range throughout, with cantilevered and double island bench seating in matching solid grade laminate. Prospec Marathon wet lockers, which include an aluminium carcass for wet areas, are a mixture of 1, 2, 3, and 4 tiers, and feature our new £1 coin return lock. Other products included within our installation would be our Marathon Classic fully framed cubicles, postformed solid grade laminate vanity units and grooming shelves, and floor to ceiling IPS (duct panel systems). This project also features our Disabled Access lockers which comply with Sport England recommendations.

Sylan brings timeless beauty to 100 Longwater Avenue and 100 Brook Drive, Reading.The modern, commercial office buildings have seen recent renovations and required luxurious washrooms to complement the rest of the buildings’ high end refurbishment.Sylan Products Supplied:Real Wood Veneer Toilet CubiclesFlush frontedTimeless designInvisible fixing systemLow impact cubicleAvailable in 12 Real Wood VeneersFSC CertifiedSolid Surface WashtroughsTimeless designHardwearingStylish and practicalQuick and easy to installAvailable in 12 Solid Surface coloursSolid Surface Superloo VanitiesSpace SavingOn trend designHardwearingAvailable in 12 Solid Surface colours

The facilities at Wimbledon Chase Primary School were in need of a complete overhaul. Accredited Installers, G Haslehurst Builders, were appointed to reconfigure the space which included the installation of contemporary, reliable and easy to maintain washroom systems.Versatile and robust Award toilet cubicles were specified due to the unrivalled safety features that come as standard. Anti-tamper fixings and emergency release indicator bolts make Award a popular choice for schools. The washroom also featured pre-plumbed, factory tested SanCeram Chartham WCs pre-plumbed to SGL Vepps panels and hardwearing SGL vanity units with SanCeram semi-recessed basins and self-closing mixer taps.Read the full case study for more details.

First opening in 1936, The Comet Hotel is named after the locally built de Havilland Comet DH.88 racing aeroplane. The recent refurbishment and extension is based on the rich heritage and period glamour of the original Comet Hotel.Sylan Products Supplied:High Pressure Laminate Toilet CubiclesFlush frontedStylish and elegantInvisible fixing systemFull height cubicleAvailable in over 30 laminate coloursNo hefty price tagHigh Pressure Laminate Duct Panelling SystemMatch to your cubiclesAvailable in over 30 coloursQuick and easy to installQuartz Countertop VanityTimeless designSuitable for deck or wall mounted tapsAvailable in 9 coloursCantilever bracketsQuick and easy to install

One Chamberlain Square is part of the £700m Paradise scheme in the heart of Birmingham City. It offers 150,000 sq ft of office space fitted with floor-to-ceiling glazing and 22,000 sq ft of ground floor restaurant and retail space. Sylan Products Supplied:ColourCoat High Gloss Toilet CubiclesFlush frontedFull height cubicleUp to 80% gloss finishAvailable in over 200 colours in the classic RAL rangeHigh Gloss Duct PanellingModern and StylishCreating Uniformity through outMatching panelling to cubicles Solid Surface Countertop Vanity with Cantilever BracketsTimeless designHardwearingCantilever bracketsQuick and easy to installAvailable in 12 Solid Surface colours

We recently completed a refurbishment of the washrooms at Fulwell Bus Depot in Twickenham, regularly used by over 300 bus drivers. As part of this project we installed:-4 No. Samoa Deluxe WC packs complete4 No. Urimat Ecoplus urinals with Visutal digital screen upgrades1 No. Tristone wash trough4 No. CONTI+ Ultra GM 20 tapsNew under vanity by Formwise in Grey Zebrano laminateNew WC duct IPS panels by Formwise in Grey Zebrano laminateNew lighting throughout by Ineco EnergyNew hygienic wall cladding throughout by JemicladNew suspended ceiling grid by Gemstone InteriorsNew air extraction system completeNew R12 Safety Vinyl c/w marine style wall upstand by Jemiclad

Lazenby were asked to manufacture 80 completely bespoke pre cast concrete sinks for a new build office block in Kings Cross.The sinks were used in the male and female washrooms throughout all floors of the building. The sizes ranged from a 1900mm double vanity through to a 4 metre long, quintuple sink unit.All the units were cast with tap holes and a cut out for an undermounted bin chute. The joints were carefully placed to run through the cut outs to help make them as discreet as possible.The clients were looking to create a statement piece and so Lazenby created a bespoke blue colour that matched their vision. Multiple samples were created in a variety of shades before the final colour was selected.The durability and flexibility of concrete make it the perfect solution for busy washroom environments.

A functional, child-friendly washroom design featuring Genesis toilet cubicles was created for Rainbow Nurser. The nursery opted for Venesta’s Genesis toilet cubicles, a popular choice for early education settings due to it's versatility and many customisable features including low-level doors and curved partitions. The toilet cubicles were specified in High Pressure Laminate (HPL) making them ideal for nursery usage, allowing for easy cleaning and simple maintenance, meaning they really will stand the test of time.For cost savings and reduced installation times, our Vepps pre-plumbed panelling system was specified. In addition, low level vanity units were installed featuring semi-recessed basins. A favourite for our youngest customers as they don’t get the water from the basin on their clothes when washing hands. Read the full case study for more details.

The international tech giant set out to modernise their offices and employee facilities, creating a healthy and inspiring workplace. This saw a requirement for an update to their existing washroom facilities, with a need for stylish yet hardwearing washroom systems.Award toilet cubicles were specified in High Pressure Laminate (HPL) in our popular Noir finish, for a timeless look. Thanks to its scratch and heatproof properties, HPL is a well suited material for busy washrooms such as those at Microsoft Campus. HPL’s smooth surface also meant surfaces would be easy to keep clean, so that sanitary levels are kept high.Our made to measure metal framed washroom panelling system, Frameduct our durable K4 profile HPL vanity units were also specified for their washroom renovation project.Read the case study for full details.

The ProjectThree Snowhill is the final element of the Snowhill Plaza, forming part of Birmingham’s 20-year plan to redevelop Snowhill, known as ‘Vision 2030’, the largest ever speculative city centre office scheme built outside London. Featuring full height windows designed to take full advantage of the city views, and 32,000 square metres of space for office, retail, café and plant space, Three Snowhill stands as a landmark tower in this growing city The ChallengeWork alongside BAM design team to bring the clients vision to life. Bespoke Superloo facilities designed to include for boxed out mirror units with hidden services, solid surface vanity stations including soap, water and waste accessories. Coordinate delivery and installation in-line with the programme dates and in harmony with associated trades on site The SolutionExcelsior have proudly worked alongside BAM construction and Weedon Architects to bring this vision to life. Working to innovative specifications we have fitted out this office space with a combination of Flush 44 Natural Wood Veneer WC Cubicles and Superloo, all complete with stylish solid surface vanities, hidden waste disposal, and boxed out mirrored wall units housing paper towel dispensers. Building bespoke specifications, we ensure we are delivering exactly what both the customer and specific scheme requires. Here, our bespoke service has allowed for a beautiful high-end installation for optimal use in this landmark business location.Client:Snowhill Building ThreeContractor:BAM ConstructionArchitect:Weedon ArchitectsLocation:Birmingham SnowhillSpecificationProduct Range: Flush 44 Natural Wood Veneer CubiclesDoors: Natural Wood Veneer bonded onto 44mm MR Core, Excelsior ‘Toasted Oak’ VeneerPilaster: Natural Wood Veneer bonded onto 44mm MR Core, Excelsior ‘Toasted Oak’ VeneerPartition: HPL bonded onto 36mm MR Core, Excelsior White c/w Hardwood Oak Rebated JointIronmongery: SSS Stainless Steel

The Project Gloucester Business Park, Plot 1420, takes the form of three buildings grouped around a landscape courtyard, the buildings are split into six self-contained units which are sub-divided floor by floor.  Gloucestershire is excellent for transport links & the parks modern and flexible working environment also provides sufficient parking for all employees and visitors Plot 1420 won Kier Central Site of the Quarter for Jan – March 2015. The site scored 100% when externally audited by the BSI for Quality and Environmental Performance.The ChallengeManufacture, deliver and install premium quality system befitting the development and the client’s requirements.Offer complimentary system for use in the shower areas &produce Solid Surface troughs to bespoke lengths, exceeding 3000mm. The SolutionExcelsior Flush 44 Full Height system provides a sleek flush fronted façade delivering the upmost in quality, design and privacy. Complimentary Mariner Cubicles finished in matching laminate installed in the wet areas. 12mm Solid Grade Laminate is recommended for shower enclosures the core material is manufactured with phenolic resins which ensures the self-supporting panels are impervious to water penetration and will stand the test of time against water/moisture ingressAll Cubicles and Vanities are finished in Oak Classic High-Pressure Laminate along with a Corian Vanity Top in Designer White. All working to complement each other and deliver a harmonious natural colour scheme generating a tranquil & calming atmosphereNick Flexen-Cook at Kier Construction has said – “Plot 1420 was delivered by the best, highest performing team that I have ever been privileged to be a part of. The tenant is rightly delighted with their facility which exceeds their expectations.”SpecificationProduct Range: MarinerDoors: 12mm Compact SGL Sonae Oak Classic M3817Pilaster: 12mm Compact SGL Sonae Oak Classic M3817Partition: 12mm Compact SGL Sonae Oak Classic M3817Ironmongery: Stainless SteelClient:GoodmanContractor:KierArchitect:Frank Shaw Associates LtdLocation:Gloucestershire

Stunning Sylan High Pressure Laminate installed at 100 Embankment, Manchester.Located on the site of Manchester’s historic Exchange Station and overlooking the city’s Cathedral, 100 Embankment is a £65 million development brought to life by main contractors BAM Construction.The 9 storey, 166,000sq ft BREEAM Excellent Grade A office building sits alongside its sister building, 101 Embankment. Together they have created a new civic centre for Salford by attracting new businesses, boosting jobs, growth and investment within the city centre.Sylan worked closely with BAM Construction and local installers TBS Fabrications, to ensure that the vision of Flanagan Lawrence architects was brought to life. No area of the prestigious building was overlooked with Sylan being selected for the washrooms for the whole 9 floors.Sylan in High Pressure Laminate was chosen for both the male and female toilets throughout the building. With invisible fixings and 44mm thick doors the cubicles ooze style and elegance. The mortice lock machined flush into the door and pilaster rebates, alongside the flush fronted finish ensures privacy for users, whilst adding to the luxurious feel of the washrooms themselves.With 34 laminate colours to choose from, Flanagan Lawrence went with a classic and neutral colour scheme. Charcoal was selected for the fronts of the cubicles with Ash lipping, alongside Linen partitions. The Sylan washroom cubicles were complemented with co-ordinating High Pressure Laminate IPS Ducting also in Linen.Bespoke Mirror Box Units with LED strips were supplied to both sets of washrooms adding a functional and atmospheric element. Solid Surface Vanity Tops in Avalanche, with underslung basins and bin chute cut outs, added the finishing touch to the luxurious washrooms, delivering a beautifully smooth and stylish finish that will sit alongside the Sylan cubicles and last for years to come.Sylan Products Supplied:High Pressure Laminate Toilet CubiclesFlush frontedStylish and elegantInvisible fixing systemFull height cubicleAvailable in over 30 laminate coloursNo hefty price tagSolid Surface Countertop VanityTimeless designHardwearingCantilever bracketsQuick and easy to installAvailable in 12 Solid Surface coloursHigh Pressure Laminate Duct Panelling SystemAvailable in over 30 coloursQuick and easy to install

The ProjectThe completion of Birmingham City University - Curzon B & Royal Birmingham Conservatoire forms part of the University’s £260 million dedicated investment into new and advanced facilities.Designed by Associated Architects to provide 100,000 square feet of additional facilities the £31 million Birmingham City – Curzon B Building officially opened in January 2018. The facility offers teaching and learning space for 3,000 students and staff.The ChallengePropose a robust cubicle system suitable for a heavy foot fall environment. Deliver all products compliant to BIM Level 2. Manufacture bespoke vanity troughs in a wave design. Manage production, delivery and installation to the high standards set by the industry.  The Solution As a local preferred supplier Excelsior were engaged by Birmingham based Willmott Dixon to supply and install the washrooms. T-Line Cubicle Range offered the perfect solution, with an extruded aluminium frame, inclusive of pilaster and headrail, coupled with Solid Grade Laminate Doors and Divisions ensure a robust cubicle that will stand the test of time.

The Project New two storey Sixth Form facility to house teaching, exhibition and social learning spaces.The facility is intended for use by the school and the local community & hoped to be a hive for activity in the local area.  The Challenge Propose and deliver a system suitable for a heavy use environment whilst also offering a commercial style space expected by the wider public.  Durability, ease of cleaning and maintenance are key drivers in the decision process as these areas will be used for extended periods and by a diverse sector.  The washrooms are likely be used by all visitors and it is paramount that the facilities compliment the building and impress the user. The SolutionExcelsior Flush 30 Cubicles with Stainless Steel Ironmongery create an opulent seamless wall within the washroom space Solid Surface bespoke vanity troughs with full height mirrors above open up the space and add a commercial fit out touch.Wall panelling has been included to completement the systems and enclose the WC working mechanisms whilst providing ease of access to the onsite maintenance teams.The project was managed by the contracts team at excelsior and delivered to an extremely high standard by our trusted team of fitters.

The Project New building built under the Governments flagship Priority School Building Plan.Demolition of KS1 accommodation and construction of replacement building.Dudley council received a grant of more than £2.5 million from the Education Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) for the work.  The Challenge All works to being undertaken in a live working educational environment, which places additional demands on the need for the highest health and safety standards on site. Modify vanity units to include for wall panelling to protect the painted walls from splashes from the sinks.  The SolutionEnsure Excelsior fitting teams have all necessary checks in place such a DBS for site works.Soldi Grade Laminate used through the scheme. Harlequin cubicles with profiled doors and partitions are an industry favourite for KS1 student.Wall panelling used above the wash basins to aid cleaning and maintenance and prolong the life of the wall finishings.SpecificationProduct Range: Harlequin Mariner SGLDoors: 12mm Solid Grade Laminate, Polyrey, Pomme Verte, P092Pilaster: 1960mm Overall Height including 150mm Floor ClearancePartition: 12mm Solid Grade Laminate, Polyrey, Pomme Verte, P092Ironmongery: SBAA

The ProjectFfestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway’s new Caernarfon Station forms part of a £15m Waterfront regeneration project led by Gwynedd County Council.Designed by Architects Purcell to include catering and retail facilities, the project hopes to bring an extra 5,000 visitors to the area as well as boosting the local economy. The Welsh Highland Railway is the UK's longest heritage railway, having been extended to a 25-mile line starting from beneath the castle walls in historic Caernarfon, the railway climbs to the foot of Snowdon before dropping again to sea level at the harbour in Porthmadog. The ChallengeProvide a washroom package befitting the iconic new station building.The station will need to cope with up to two hundred people at departure / arrival times with facilities to tell the story of both the waterfront and railways.Produce first class facilities capable of withstanding the rigors of high traffic footfall. The Solution Excelsior Mariner range offers extremely high levels of durability. Free standing, 12mm solid core panels are extremely robust and vandal resistant.Solid grade laminate used for the vanity units ensure water resistance and a solid, hard-wearing surface, guaranteed to withstand the test of time.

Architect: Holder Mathias ArchitectsInstaller: Bowmer and Kirkland, LSA Projects Ltd, and Geschwender
Product: Geschwender Lockers, Cubicles, and Accessories with Metra Electronic Locking SolutionsLSA Projects Ltd and Geschwender have been working with Center Parcs since 2010 to refit the changing areas at their UK sites.
In total LSA have supplied over 3,000 lockers to sites at Elvedon, Whinfell, Woburn and Sherwood in addition to hundreds of cubicle solutions and vanity stations to the changing villages. Center Parcs and Holder Mathias Architects specified brightly coloured bays of lockers to help guide guests through the areas of the changing villages.Original installations used traditional coin and key access for their lockers but all sites have now been fitted with Metra systems for keyless lockers. The smart-wristbands issued to Center Parcs guests at check-in works as both the key to their accommodation and their tool to assign lockers at the Sub-Tropical Swimming Paradises and Spas.Using smart locker allocation has the added bonus of allowing guests to locate their specific locker from hundreds on each site using a central display monitor and allows staff to clear locker allocations overnight for cleaning and ready for new guests in the morning.

Within London’s sought-after area of Victoria is situated the architecturally cutting edge commercial and residential development, Howick Place.This 143,000sq ft. of Grade A office space and 23 luxury apartments is a flagship development by joint developers Doughty Hanson & Co and Terrace Hill Group PLC. The building is modern, stylish and full of light due to its impressive floor to ceiling windows delivering a perfect working space for the luxury brands it has already attracted. Responsible for the impressive design were Rolfe Judd Architects. Not only did they want to create an exterior that that was visually stunning but also an interior that show modern design at its best.This inspirational working environment had to make an immediate impact with potential occupant’s right from the moment they step in to the expansive reception area to rinsing their hands in the washrooms. To help achieve this Rolfe Judd appointed Sylan to supply and install their modern and luxurious washroom products so the building represented the highest quality craftsmanship no matter where you are in the building.When discussing the importance of a quality washroom fit out project architect Andrew Wall said: “Our clients are becoming increasingly concerned with the quality of their washroom facilities. More and more people are cycling to work in the city and so we needed washroom and changing areas that met our client’s high standards”.Sylan's Real Wood Veneer toilet cubicles were specified for the washrooms. With 44mm Real Wood Veneer doors and totally invisible fixings, Sylan was the perfect choice for this project given that quality was such an important factor:“We were very impressed with the Sylan system. We needed a totally bespoke system and Sylan gave us just that. We needed flexibility from our cubicle choice so we could achieve the level of detail required for this project”.Being offset against contemporary Lime Stone Vanity Units, also supplied by Sylan, the cubicles gave the perfect contrast between the traditional and the modern.To further enhance this cutting edge design Glass Duct Panels were also installed in the washrooms. Being fully aware that accuracy and precision was critical to the build, Sylan ensured due care and attention was paid when installing all products but particularly when dealing with this delicate and intricate design element.Sylan Products Supplied:Real Wood Veneer Toilet CubiclesFlush frontedStrong and SecureInvisible fixing systemIdeal for where low impact interiors are neededAvailable in 11 Real Wood VeneersReal Wood Veneer Duct PanellingCo-ordinating panelling to cubiclesInfinite repetition of colourAvailable in 11 Real Wood VeneersQuartz VanityExtremely hard wearingClassic style that will last for years to comeAvailable in 9 coloursSupplied with or without cut outs

The Project A new Leisure Centre at Dudley is part of a multi-million-pound Leisure Centre program and regeneration of the area. The new facility will include a 25metre swimming pool, teaching pool, four-court sports hall, gym, exercise studios, soft play area, and caféDudley Council has committed £17.4 million to the project in the heart of the town centre. Working in partnership with Alliance Leisure, through the UK Leisure Framework, the council will create a vibrant modern hub for residents and workers to enjoy a range of physical activities.The ChallengePropose a system suitable for a wet, high humidity environment including Cubicles, Ducts, Vanities, Lockers & Benches. Ensure the material used and the system proposed is suitable for a high traffic environment. Changing cubicle divisions to have increased height at the rear of the cubicle to prevent users standing on the bench and peering over. Fully framed cubicles to be free standing & self-supporting, positioned in centre of the changing area. Create a locker area suitable for use by wheelchair users. The SolutionSolid Grade Laminate was used throughout the scheme. 12mm core boards, self-supporting, highly durable and impervious to water penetration.Hydroline system installed as a fully framed island constructed cubicle with profiled division panels at 2400mm.

Our small bathroom design may only be 160 x 170cm, but for me, it’s perfectly formed in every way. You can reach both arms across and touch either side of the room, but that’s not actually what you immediately notice when you step through the door. Instead, you see a generous frameless skylight flooding the space with natural light, a wall of tactile sage green tiles and the unusual choice of a green sink paired with an off white floating vanity unit. I spent so long considering all the little details – from matching my grout to my silicone, to lining up the tiles perfectly – that size, here, really doesn’t matter.There’s a lot I learnt during the process of designing my own small bathroom design, so I thought I would share all my lessons and top tips in case you’re planning a space of a similar size. We don’t all have huge mansions, bedrooms we can convert into bathrooms or space enough for a roll-top bath and a shower. Most of us are working with tricky layouts and tight floorpans, trying to maximise the space we’ve got. Don’t be disheartened with your small bathroom, there’s a lot you can do to make it feel light, airy, uplifting and inspiring.

Lee Valley Ice Centre originally opened in 1984, and before closing in 2021 welcomed over 279,000 visitors each year. With the old centre reaching the end of its operational life, it was time to design and build a brand new Ice Centre at Lee Valley Regional Park. The new centre, due to open in April 2023 will be home to 2 new ice rinks, doubling the capacity of the old centre, and inviting in new visitors as well as welcoming back those who visited before.As part of the redevelopment of Lee Valley Ice Centre, 95% of the concrete from the old centre was used in the foundations of the new centre. With this and many other environmentally friendly choices made in the construction, Lee Valley Ice Centre will become the UK’s most sustainable Ice Centre.The fully accessible centre will maximise the opportunity for sports for everyone, and with two Olympic-sized Ice Rinks, a brand-new café, gym, exercise studios and various other facilities, Lee Valley will be able to welcome up to 500,000 visitors. The range of facilities will encourage a variety of new visitors, from committed skaters, though to people stopping for a drink in the café before enjoying the green space in Lee Valley Regional Park.At Helmsman, we were pleased to be contacted by the main contractors for Lee Valley, The Buckingham Group, to supply the lockers, cubicles, vanity units and bespoke high-level cladding. We manufactured and installed 268 Bespoke Heavy Duty Laminate Lockers, with a variety of compartment configurations, and a range of different locking options.Our Heavy Duty Laminate lockers are a great option for high traffic areas, as they are more likely to withstand scratches and dents, so were a perfect choice for Lee Valley Ice Centre. The lockers also feature bespoke perforations in the doors and aluminium number plates. A selection of the lockers also have seat stands with the slats in matching laminate. A variety of locks were also used across the lockers in this project, with Ojmar Hasp locks the main choice for users to use their own padlocks, as well as Ojmar coin return locks and Lowe and Fletcher cam locks.The cubicles chosen for this project were our Front Line Cubicles with Hidden Fixings. These cubicles are tailored to suit the needs of the particular project, with bespoke sizing available. The fixings are hidden to provide a smooth surface and aesthetic finish. The cubicles were manufactured with 12mm Solid Grade Laminate from BioCarbon Laminates in colour Luna Grey, a fantastic carbon-neutral option which aligns perfectly with Lee Valley’s aim to be the first sustainable Ice Centre in the UK.As we manufacture all our products in house, and to order, we specialise in bespoke items. The project at Lee Valley Ice Centre featured bespoke high-level cladding, which our highly experienced installation team fitted on-site.Other products on this project included metal framed IPS panels, using both Luna Grey and Elegant Grey laminates from BioCarbon Laminates, and Helmsman High Pressure Laminate Vanity Units.It was great to work alongside Buckingham Group again for the Lee Valley Ice Centre project. Should you have a similar project, or want any more information on the products mentioned, give us a call on 01284 530 427 or contact us here.

The Project Joseph Leckie Academy £3.5 million modern new wing received Walsall Council’s planning committee approval in April 2015, and it has been full steam ahead since then. Speller Metcalfe awarded contractor and commenced building the state of the art 21 classroom block in May 2015. The ChallengeThe Architects vision was to create a minimalist washroom décor with flush frontage cubicles and high specification wash stations.The overall finish to be non-fussy and unobtrusive.Cubicles sited below a bulkhead were required to appear to float and all legs and fixing to be hidden.Standard vanity frontages and sinks did not meet the brief, a bespoke wash station was required. The Solution Excelsior Planar 12mm Solid Grade Laminate has proven an excellent choice for the building, the flush frontage provides a seamless finish, and the durability of solid grade laminate panels is perfect for a heavy use environment such as a school. Finished with a ‘P’ section headrail for maximum stability, eradicating any lateral movement provided the rigidity the system needs.The overall aesthetics of the installation is extremely pleasing, the cubicles overall height @ 2100mm on a 50mm leg is a standard height system however having a bulkhead in place has increased the sense of privacy and delivered the opulence of a floor to ceiling enclosure. The 50mm leg is set back inside the cubicle, fixed onto the partition which enhances the seamless finish from the exterior and infers the system is floating.SpecificationProduct Range: Planar 12mm Solid Grade Laminate CubicleDoors: B070 Blanc Megeve )Pilaster: Gris Orage G059Partition: Gris Orage G059Ironmongery: Stainless Steel

Private Clinic Blomenburg stands for holism when it comes to the therapy and design concept.A haven in the middle of a beautiful environment in the north of Germany: The 19th Century Blomenburg („Burg“ for castle), is surrounded by a huge park. Away from the everyday hustle and bustle, offering 69 furnished in premium quality, spacious single rooms and suites. The modern bathrooms are equipped with KEUCO furnishings and complement the syntonic interior design. Here the guests can dedicate their soul to regeneration in a quiet and peaceful stylish ambience.The elaborate restoration of the building was carried out taking the historic importance and special use of the Blomenburg into consideration. The new building with its generous glass facade was constructed under the castle rock and now accommodates the guest rooms. Between the old and the new building, there is an approximately 800m² big spa and pool area engrafted in the topography of the castle rock. The historic buildings surrounding the castle yard are used for social purposes, medical fitness, healthy living and mindfulness training of the body, soul and mind. The exclusive design of the indoor rooms is not to be compared with the magnificence of the outside of the buildings.Noble materials and luxurious items of furniture in the guest rooms create an ideal setting for convalescence and relaxation. This temporary home equipped with KEUCO furnishings and accessories in the bathroom offer the guests plenty of storage space for personal care products. Not only do the PLAN vanity unit and tall unit in unobtrusive truffle offer generous storage space, but the light mirror with a frame offers additional storage space. The perfect light lets the windowless bathrooms appear brighter and friendlier. The integrated mirror heating makes it possible to look in the mirror after a hot and relaxing shower.IXMO fittings in a strong design offer intuitive use to reach the right temperature. Matching accessories nicely round-off the bathroom interior in a coherent way and perfectly match the high-class concept of the clinic.

The Pyramids Centre in Portsmouth has had a new lease of life with a £2.5m makeover. The ageing facility is now a modern leisure complex offering a fun attraction to the local families. The new facilities include a state-of-the-art gym, trampoline, and soft play park.Helmsman was sub-contracted to supply the lockers and cubicles package providing a turnkey solution to create a modern and sharp changing room area with a comfortable feel.For the Pyramids Centre leisure project we manufactured, delivered, and installed modern laminate lockers of 3 and 5 doors. They are heavy duty and suitable for a wet environment. A row of three-compartment lockers have an integrated cantilever seat stand matching the Abet Walnut (616) laminate lockers and cubicles. The integrated seat stand on these lockers is a great space-saving solution and is perfect for this area.The front line cubicle range fitted the requirements for the toilet and shower cubicles, installed alongside the lockers. The Walnut laminate runs throughout these changing rooms as one of the dominant colours. The cubicle partitions are in Abet Light Grey (478) to separate each cubicle and bring light into the space to complement the rest of the interior.The vanity units and timber integrated plumbing system (IPS) panels are also manufactured from the matching laminate. The IPS in the toilet cubicles are the same colour as the partitions, giving a natural flow throughout. The wall to floor benches and free-standing benches are in Walnut laminate colour as laminate slats are perfect and protected in the wet areas.Most importantly Helmsman has a dedicated and experienced in-house design team supported by its on-site factory. From the outset, we bring a combination of skills and creativity to influence our clients’ decision-making to ensure that concepts turn into reality. From start to finish, we are committed to providing high standards and exceeding customer expectations.

Margam Park’s new washrooms needed to be durable, easy to maintain and impress their visitors.Margam Country Park in Wales is owned and administered by Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council. The estate containing a Tudor Gothic Mansion was once owned by the Mansel Talbot family in the 1800s. The 850 acre country park is rich in history, with evidence of over 4,000 years of continuous habitation and use by man. This means it has exceptional historic value, with some of the country’s finest architectural treasures. Paired with its natural beauty, wildlife and many activities and facilities, the Margam Country Park has evolved into a popular attraction which is visited by 350,000 people per year, including locals and tourists alike.Neath Port Talbot Council came to Bushboard Washrooms for the refurbishment of the public washrooms. The main concern for this project was ensuring that the toilets were able to withstand the high traffic the park receives each year. As Alison Lloyd, the Commercial Officer at Margam Country Park, explained “visitors often judge a site on the quality of the loos”, this meant opting for a robust washroom range which offered a modern, high quality finish that will remain presentable at all times.Initially designed for secondary schools with the key focus on privacy, our HiZone for Schools toilet cubicle at standard height was decided as the perfect specification for the country park’s needs. Alison put emphasis on requiring an “indestructible build”, the cubicles pilasters and partitions are fixed to the floor in aluminium channels which creates a strong foundation. The toilet cubicles were manufactured in Solid Grade Laminate which has a compact core making it a highly durable material. It is also impervious to water which makes it easy to clean as the panels do not need to be dried meticulously afterwards to prevent damage.The design of the public washroom was carefully considered. The council wanted to cater for everyone who would visit their park, with additions such as child height basins, family changing areas and enlarged toilet cubicles with grab rails for ambulant/disabled users. In particular, the park recognised parents with their children would regularly visit the park. They designed a superloo style room to utilise space, this was larger than a typical toilet cubicle which gave users more room to manoeuvre within the washroom space.Ease of cleaning was fundamental to the project because of the high traffic the toilet cubicles will endure. Our own brand SanCeram’s Langley WCs and urinals were chosen which both offer a smooth and rimless design to eliminate dirt traps, it also suited the “clean lines” Alison was looking for. Margam Park had sanitaryware and brassware ready plumbed which meant that that it arrived pre-fitted to panels assembled onto a rigid steel frame, this saved both time and money. Being a refurbishment project it meant the washrooms did not have to stay closed to the public for a long period of time.Vanity units were also supplied as Ready Plumbed Modules and designed to hit the parks public washroom brief. Solid Surface Counter Top vanity units are ideal for busy washroom environments as they are easy to maintain. Alison wanted to make sure that the washroom had ‘clean lines to clean’, so integrated inset wash hand basins were supplied which have a flush design leaving no dirt traps for a hygienic hand wash station whilst also creating a seamless, high-end overall look.Alison told us that the colours were “chosen to fit with the Country Park, a wood feel and green panels to make it bold and stand out”. Lime Green and Bleached Oak laminates paired with Apple Solid Surface colours from our standard range complemented the mansion scenes within the washroom perfectly. Overall the review of the new washrooms at Margam Park were “ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT! We opened in time for the Early May Bank Holiday and feedback from public was great and staff love the clean lines and bright colours.”

ObjectiveDarren Smith Homes is a family run company spanning four generations of house builders.Their vision when investing in 38 apartments in Newgate, Mirfield was to create truly luxurious homes. Initially focusing on the show apartment they aimed to create a ‘spa at home style’ utilising Bushboard’s Nuance range.Nuance is a unique, award-winning bathroom panelling range that is 100% waterproof, extrusion-free and can be installed in a matter of hours offering a wide choice of stunning designs and textures to create individual interiors. Whether the look is traditional, modern or contemporary, Nuance offers a design that will work for any project.ObservationThe Bushboard specification team thrive on helping contractors and support projects from start to finish, ensuring they are nurtured to a mutually successful conclusion.“Bushboard supported us the whole way, the process went very smoothly and really well. From the super fast sample service to visiting us for a design appointment, and demostrating product installation to our team, Bushboard’s service has been fabulous from beginning to end.”OutcomeTony specified the stunning Soapstone Sequoia from the Nuance range, and to complete the luxury feel selected Ivory Glass solid surface from Bushboard’s unrivalled Zenith collection for the vanity surfaces giving the feeling of sheer indulgence and cool, sophisticated elegance."Both Zenith and Nuance were very straightforward to fit, this was the first time for us installing both ranges and it really surprised us how easy it was, with no hiccups along the way at all. The choice of decors combined, gave an excellent finish and we are thrilled with the result. We will definitely be specifying both products again for the remainder of the development."Bushboard strive to develop aspirational products using unique materials, manufacturing processes and installation techniques to create great design.For more information about the Nuance range and other Bushboard products, to request a RIBA CPD, download an NBS specification or to order samples visit www.bushboard.co.uk

Ranked as the best zoo in Europe, and the third best zoo in the world, Chester Zoo, in Cheshire, UK, has long-been considered a pioneering attraction that many other zoos aspire to. With over 1.8 million visitors a year, the Zoo has specified CONTI+ sensor taps for its visitor washrooms as part of a number of water-saving initiatives .In 2018, the Zoo started a refurbishment project of its washroom facilities, choosing the CONTI+ Ultra sensor taps for all their washbasins. Ecoprod– a Conti+ distribution partner and supplier of environmental washroom solutions was the link that enabled this project to happen, through a consultation process.“Working with the Mechanical Services Supervisor at Chester Zoo has been very straightforward as his hands on experience and knowledge of this sector is comprehensive. We provided a few products to install in both ladies and gents washrooms for a trial period to get feedback from staff and other stakeholders. The Ultra tap was quite quickly considered by all to be the preferred choice and was therefore specified going forwards for all washroom refurbishment works”Marcus Rose, Sales Manager Ecoprod.Ultra is one of the most innovative sensor tap solutions from CONTI+. It works particularly well for leisure spaces and attractions as it can be powered by battery, turbine or solar, avoiding the need for electricity in the tap area. The battery lasts for up to four years, meaning maintenance is minimal and, when it is time to change the battery this can be done quickly and easily through an access point on the top of the product avoiding labour intensive access into vanity units.From an environmental and cost-saving perspective, the Ultra ticks all the boxes. Great design, with sophisticated sensor function, water saving can reach an impressive 70% compared with a more traditional tap. And in attractions, with a high volume of users, the touch free system provides a more hygienic way to wash hands, reducing the spread of germs and ensuring each user has a clean tap to use.Of course, as a Swiss-designed and assembled product, manufactured in the Conti+ facilities in Switzerland, Chester Zoo can rest assured that the Ultra taps are built to last and will work first time, every time.