Three new toilet facilities in Marlborough have won architectural awards.

Council’s rebuilt public conveniences at Seymour Square, Havelock and Anakiwa were recognised and awarded for their architectural design at the recent NZ Architecture Awards, Nelson Marlborough, run by Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA).

Arthouse Architects designed all three.

Council’s Parks and Open Spaces Manager, Jane Tito, said the new facilities were a huge change from the previous ageing concrete blocks with basic amenities.

“The three public toilets recognised for their design and features are all unique, especially compared to what we had,” she said.

Many elements were taken into consideration in the redesign said Parks and Open Spaces Officer, Grahame Smail, who was instrumental in the construction of the new facilities and in securing funding through the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Tourism Infrastructure Fund.

“Mr Smail managed the projects and collaborated with the architects to achieve a quality outcome for the community,” Ms Tito said.

“Since 2019 we have completed major upgrades (almost rebuilds) on 11 toilets around the district. We have succeed in securing for funding to cover 50 per cent of these toilet upgrade costs through the Government’s Tourism Infrastructure Fund (TIF), with Council part-funding the remaining 50 per cent,” she said.

Councillor Jenny Andrews said the awards were a brilliant result for Council and everyone involved.

“The new, high quality facilities will be enjoyed by the community and visitors for a long time,” she said.

Public toilet facilities presented a complex brief with a small footprint, the award judges said.

“Taking into consideration elements of safety, natural light, ease of use, sustainability, wayfinding and community, the architects have upgraded three separate facilities in a way that is consistent yet unique in their individual response to each site's context and history,” their comments noted.

Renee Williamson from Arthouse Architecture praised the Council for its foresight in engaging architects to be involved with the redesign.

“A massive thank you to MDC for seeing the value of design in these community facilities,” she said.

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