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The Forks – 2nd Floor Washrooms
By : The Design Shop Inc.
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 17th edition
Discipline : Interior Design
Categories : Other categories in interior design / Common area : Bronze Certification
The Forks (Winnipeg’s central hub and primary tourism location) approached Design Shop about creating public washrooms, inspired with a vision for a space that felt artful, welcoming, and accessible. When discussing the concept, Sarah Stasiuk (CEO of The Forks), expressed a desire to create a space that could represent the under-represented artistically, leading to a collaborative design process with Synonym Art Consultation. Design Shop worked with Synonym to source local artists whose curated works would feature within the washroom. This includes the graphic wallpaper featuring artwork from Kiana Jade, in-stall murals by Erin Ahl, a family washroom mural by Jazz Aline, and neon light pieces created with lyrics from local musicians Alpha Toshineza and Adrian Turenne.
With inclusivity and safety at the forefront, these gender-neutral washrooms are open to all. Wider-than-typical entryways were left open allowing for easy, touchless access. While the stalls (including a wheelchair accessible stall and separate family washroom) were designed to be completely enclosed for privacy and comfort, each individual stall features a different mural to create a unique experience.
The ethos of openness and comfort were further reinforced with a double-sided fireplace, allowing visual flow and continuous sightlines from the inside-out and the outside-in. Although unconventional, Design Shop saw an opportunity to take advantage of the existing washrooms’ tucked-away location, creating an impactful moment both inside and outside of the washroom that blurs the boundary between private and public without exposing the washrooms directly to the larger common spaces of The Forks. Further considerations were taken to maintain privacy by directing sightlines through the glazed fireplace to the sink (rather than the stall doors), providing connectivity to the space beyond while creating a sense of relief by making the space feel less enclosed.
The inclusion of a fireplace was a bold and boundary-pushing concept, challenging the typology of a space that is commonly thought of as utilitarian. By adding an experiential layer and an emphasis on the artwork within it, the washroom functions doubly as a gallery, complimented further by the curated colours and patterns, the sculptural vanity, and the cursive linear pendant above.
Another important factor in the design was directing flow into, around, and within the space. Outside of the washrooms, cozy seating alongside the fireplace provides a soft space to wait for a friend or take a quiet moment to oneself. Plaid upholstered backrests pay homage to The Forks’ roots with the Hudson’s Bay Company, while the playful lighting serves as a subtle nod towards another iconic Winnipeg landmark— the Winnipeg Art Gallery. A curved wall along the corridor guides traffic along to the shops beyond the washrooms, while the open entryway and neon signage create a clear invitation inside. Within the washroom, a full-length mirror adjacent to the fireplace was added to ease congestion at the sink, complete with built-in ledges to hold a purse or phone while you finish fixing your hair or checking out your outfit.
Public washrooms can often appear sterile, drab, and for many people— uncomfortable. With that in mind, Design Shop designed the Washrooms at The Forks to push the boundaries and limitations of washrooms, creating an art-infused experience that is accessible and welcoming to all!
Collaboration
Interior Designer : The Design Shop Inc.
