Why companies are increasingly investing in the semi-public toilet area

The semi-public sanitary area has attracted more and more interest in interior design in recent years. 
The toilet areas in the hotel, catering, authorities and offices are the company's “calling cards” and “often 
convey the company's image more than any board office”, says Peter Joehnk, owner of one of the largest pure 
interior design offices in Europe based in Hamburg. With his company JOI-Design, he and his 38 interior designers 
have specialized in this area of ​​the hotel industry.

Target group-oriented planning for semi-public toilets

According to Joehnk, there is no universal solution for the design of visitor toilets. Instead, target-group-specific 
solutions are required that are as different as the clients themselves. "A toilet in a motorway service station or an 
airport has different requirements in terms of efficiency, frequency of use and vandalism security than a toilet in a 
first-class hotel." In close coordination with the client, the goal then settles somewhere 
between a “clean solution” and a “toilet with a wow factor”. However, common intersections are always good user 
guidance, hygiene and ease of cleaning.


TECEsquare II toilet flush plate in "Polished Red Gold", colour coordinated to washstand fitting and accessories.

Logistical aspects in the planning of visitor toilets

The interior designer Annette Hartmann has already developed a range of sanitary systems at JOI Design: “It starts with the gender divide – already here the logistics of toilets differs significantly.” The urinal requires less space and as a result the men’s area has a higher efficiency than a ladies’ toilet with cubicles, which has in practice long since translated into the formation of queues. The planning process starts with the floor plan that is set in relation to the expected maximum number of users. Even only occasionally used toilet systems quickly become a hygiene problem and then the “calling card” of the house transforms into a shocking example”, summarises Annette Hartmann.

Easier maintenance via high-quality solutions

The semi-public toilet is split into three zones: toilet and urinal system as well as the sinks. All three areas have undergone a significant design transformation to premium segment in recent years. Real materials such as natural stone replace the half-height white tiled wall of yesteryear. These days, lots of wall-mounted solutions such as flush plates and washing areas are built into the wall: reasons for this include the simpler cleaning and the greater security against theft and vandalism. Flush washstand countertops with undermounted sinks create high-quality shelf spaces and usually directly integrate the waste bin.

Living up to rising hygiene standards

Hygiene requirements have increased in recent years. The implementation accommodates contactless flush actuation at the urinal, contactless water flow at the washstand and a contactless soap and paper dispenser. “The great feeling of leaving the toilet clean is today also a question of technical equipment”, says Hartmann. “Today we know – and this is statistically proven – that clean and modern sanitary systems are significantly important in influencing user behaviour, that is, they stay cleaner for longer and ensure more careful interaction between the visitor and the facility. There is no better case for good toilet architecture.”

Bathrooms with a personal touch

An individual bathroom ambience with coordinated bathroom furniture, fittings, wall colour and accessories increases the design factor of the toilet and bathroom area. This special character can be emphasised with the right flush plate. TECE now supplies individual flush plates on request: with metallic and plastic surfaces, in the colours of your choice, to match bathroom fittings or bathroom furniture from other manufacturers. Companies who would like to integrate their branding image can also integrate their logo or brand statement on the flush plates – all carefully applied by our manufacturing service.

Countless possibilities: here you can see TECEloop in the trendy wall colour look