WZMH Architects has transformed the Level 2 washrooms at CF Toronto Eaton Centre into a customer-focused amenity. The project reflects a broader shift in retail design, where such features are becoming more important to the overall visitor experience.
Located near the Queen Street entrance, the renovated washrooms serve thousands of visitors daily and were redesigned as part of Cadillac Fairview’s broader efforts to enhance the overall visitor experience at the shopping centre.
Rather than treating washrooms as a secondary service space, WZMH approached the project as an opportunity to create an intentional extension of the retail environment—one that supports comfort, accessibility, functionality, and a stronger connection to place.
The design is inspired by the tranquil reflections of water during golden hour and creates a bright atmosphere through a carefully coordinated palette of materials and lighting. Solid surface wall and ceiling panels offer a seamless backdrop, while travertine-inspired porcelain tile with subtle golden veining, laminated fluted glass with a gold interlayer, and warm painted aluminum accents introduce texture, warmth, and visual depth.
A specialized rotating light fixture above the sink area projects fluid, water-like patterns onto surrounding surfaces for an experience that changes throughout the space.
Given the high volume of daily users, durability and long-term performance were central to every design decision. Materials balance aesthetics with operational requirements, including recycled-content materials and highly durable phenolic partitions designed to withstand the demands of a high-traffic public environment while maintaining a high-quality finish over time.
The project also required careful coordination within the constraints of an existing building. Working around significant structural and mechanical conditions, the design optimizes the compact footprint to improve functionality, increase capacity, and maintain user comfort, privacy, and accessibility.
Feature photo by: Doublespace Photography
