changing
rooms
size of showers being as important
as the lockers and changing cubicles.
Ideally, showers should have a depth of
1.4–1.5m – to allow the door to open
inwards – with a wet fl oor drainage
system laid so that, after showering,
water moves down the drain and doesn’t
sit in the access areas to and from the
dry changing. Clear segregation is also
necessary between wet and dry areas,
via privacy screens with signage that
reiterates: ‘For safety and consideration
to other users, please towel dry prior to
returning to the main changing area’.
A vanity unit incorporating three to
six stations, mirrors and hairdryers is a The fi ner points Grooming areas should be conveniently located (above left),
prerequisite to the ambience of a female while swimming pool changing rooms need a variety of locker types (above right)
changing room, yet for the men, a number
of smaller units located throughout will the ultimate solution should be designed Research shows that the typical
be more appropriate. Full-length mirrors around the optimum pool capacity at family visit to a swimming pool consists
are always useful for fi nal grooming. peak times, taking into account the split of three to four people, so a changing
These vanity and grooming areas should between individual and family usage, cubicle needs to be of suffi cient size, with
be sited in convenient locations, but together with the needs of schools or adequate bench seating, hooks and rails
ideally also positioned where the mirrors external groups. Ideally more lockers for hanging clothes and, ideally, provision
can add a sense of space to the room. and cubicles should be provided for for a fold-down baby change unit and/
women than men. Consideration must or wall-fi xed baby seat. A family will
wet vs dry also be given to ethnic usage of individual generally have either one large sports
Design criteria for changing provision changing rooms, and use by parents with bag or two smaller bags to fi t in clothes
will differ greatly depending on whether young children of the opposite sex, to and possessions. Once changed, they will
clubs offer purely dry or a combination ensure suffi cient privacy. then require one enormous locker to
of wet and dry provision. Dry changing In village changing areas, link the mix store all their belongings, with a separate
rooms will normally incorporate a and number of individual cubicles to shelf for up to four pairs of shoes.
limited number of stow and go lockers the projected demographic usage of Although adult swimmers tend to be
for those users who come pre-changed the pool. Position appropriate types of in the minority, they are a reliable asset
and only wish to stow away a change of lockers and cubicles next to each other for clubs: they generally live locally, turn
shoes, light clothing, valuables, a mobile so that, when a swimmer comes out up fi ve to 10 minutes before opening,
phone and possibly a small sports bag or of a cubicle, the style of locker suited swim the statutory 25 to 50 lengths
handbag. The majority of the lockers to their needs is within easy reach. and shower and change before going to
should accommodate a user’s day Also, think about installing double-door work. They require a changing cubicle
clothes; there should be no deterrent to cubicles – which allow dry entrance incorporating a bench seat and clothes
working out, whether on the way to in and exit to the wet area – where hook, together with a locker designed
work, at lunchtime or after a shift. necessary. Extra bench seating outside to accommodate hanging jackets, suits,
When designing changing rooms in cubicles is generally minimal, whereas in shirts and so on, with a separate space
swimming pools, whether it’s split into changing rooms for where there are less for a sports holdall and a shelf for shoes,
male and female areas or a village style, cubicles, more seating is required. valuables and accessories.
Casual swimmers typically make
up the majority of users and usually
case study – titanic spa only require an individual-size cubicle
A
rchitects can design the most fantastic-looking facilities, but an operator has sited, where possible, next to lockers
to run them day to day, and it’s the practicalities that become crucially which store a sports bag or carrier
important to the success of an enterprise. The changing rooms are often bag containing their clothes and towel,
forgotten about, but they’re the focal point of a spa – the first impression that ideally with a separate space for shoes,
guests receive and the last one when they leave. Make sure they are as luxurious valuables and mobile phone.
and also practical as possible. School groups typically prefer a
Top tips are: dedicated space, where pupils’ clothes
•
Never underestimate the number of lockers that you need. I did, and we’ve and bags can be left on hooks or bench
retro-fi tted another 40 seating around the room, with the
•
Consider use longer term – we didn’t install urinals in the men’s changing outer door locked behind them to give
rooms, which means the men’s area can be given over to women’s changing exclusive use.
when demand dictates, giving us far greater fl exibility in use The key groups that are not always
•
Analyse your customer profi le closely and deliver the balance of provision that well catered for are the disabled and
will meet demand ambulant-abled, who require suitably
Warwick Burton, spa director, Titanic Spa equipped changing cubicles with
appropriate lockers alongside. These
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