Design a more dignified toileting and washing experience in hospital. Design for Patient Dignity - Brief 4/7
The Capsule Washroom is an enclosed toilet and shower room that can be plugged into existing services, while the Smart Mirror can be retrofitted to existing hospital toilets to reorganise and improve the washbasin space.
Designers: Azhar Architecture / Slider Studio
Industry supplier: Grant Westfield
How they work
Capsule Washroom
The Capsule Washroom is a prefabricated washroom that can be erected quickly almost anywhere in the hospital environment. It plugs into the existing 240v electricity supply, and fresh water and drainage are handled by a cartridge system similar to those used on board boats and aircraft.
Because it offers an all-in-one, ready-to-use solution, the Capsule Washroom avoids the need for costly new plumbing and disruptive refurbishment.
Smart Mirror
The Smart Mirror reorganises the washbasin space in hospitalbathrooms and toilets into one prefabricated product that can be retrofitted. It has a large mirror to bring domestic familiarity to the hospital environment, slimline wall-hung storage, integrated lighting, a shaver socket, a waste bin and a grab rail that can also function as a towelhanger. Storage for soap, conditioner and paper towels is integrated and an electronic indicator tells cleaning staff what needs refilling.
The issue in context
Using the toilet and bathroom in hospital poses a particular set of problems and potential embarrassments for many patients, and is often cited as a key argument in the case for same-sex accommodation. If facilities are difficult to access or use, it can make patients feel that their dignity is compromised.
The designers’ insights
Architect Azhar says, ‘The visits to the hospitals were invaluable, as was testing our instinctive propositions with different experts, which allowed us to develop some ideas and reject others.’ The team developed a series of modular solutions which focused on containment, visual and acoustic privacy, and infection control. The designers also saw an opportunity to give patients better toilets by improving lighting and adding integrated washing facilities.