Victoria Avenue Public Conveniences, Cambridge

Client – Cambridge City Council
Date of Completion – 2005

The toilets on Midsummer Common are part of Cambridge City Council’s programme to improve the city's public conveniences. The oval shape least disturbed the large trees with their well established root system nearby and helps eliminate hidden corners.

Five cubicles, including one disabled person facility and a parent/baby changing room, with panels of soft light between, open outwards towards the road for increased safety and to shield them from the houses bordering the common. A Pindar’s room had to be included for storage of the equipment and hay needed to tend the herd of cows traditionally allowed to graze on the common. The self-coloured Sto-rendered walls around the Pindar’s room are arranged in panels of muted colours to reflect the autumn sky and trees and face the common and the houses. The walnut shaped copper domed roof, housing the rainwater harvesting storage and distribution systems, was inspired by the surrounding trees and by the boats on the nearby river. Lighting is low energy and controlled by sensors and materials throughout were chosen for low maintenance and graffiti resistance.