‘Creative Conveniences’

Client: Street Waste & Recycling Dept. Colchester Borough Council
Artists: Kate Farley, Andy Hazell and Lisa Temple-Cox
Location and Date: Lion Walk & Dedham Vale, Colchester 2008

Winner of the Colchester 2020 & RIBA Awards for Art in the Built Environment.

The commission for the creative refurbishment of the town centre toilets was designed to reflect the local architecture and archaeology associated with Lion Walk. The artworks provide visual interpretation about the town centre, enhancing a sense of place for residents and visitors to Colchester.

Hand-drawn illustrations of Colchester’s architecture, from Norman to Victorian, appear on the cubicle doors with stylised artefacts from the museum’s collection incorporated into the flooring design. Artefacts with associations to the town, donated by members of the public, form cabinets of curiosity within the walls.

A combination of capital refurbishment budgets and a grant from the Arts Council of England made the project possible. The project has proceeded to inform part of the retail-led regeneration of Lion Walk undertaken by Stanley Bragg Architects.

A second creative conveniences project took place for the public toilets at Dedham Vale highlighting this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.