The brief was to create a new retail unit on 40% of the site and 7 no. unisex public toilets on the other 60%.

The simple C-shaped building unites the whole site and makes efficient use of the limited space. We wanted to contrast the new building with the historic City Walls and Bootham Bar; both designated Scheduled Ancient Monuments.

The angled copper strips to the roof/walls ensure rainwater falls away from the historic fabric. The central areas of glazing abstractly resemble falling water, a play on the function of the building as a public convenience! Internally, a glass floor exposes a 2000-year-old Roman Wall previously covered for several decades. The interior fit-out was completed by the new independent café tenant.