AREAS – BATHROOM – Tropical Patterns

CONSIDER ENCLOSED BUT OPEN ROOF BATHROOM DESIGN
Consider an enclosure with high walls, but open roof, courtyard style design as more suitable for the tropics than an enclosed bathroom that would trap steam and smells. The bathroom can dry in the sunshine and can be lined with plants and use pebble floor or drained flagstone floor as a more tropical feel.

DESIGN ALL PLUMBING AREAS (KITCHEN, BATHROOM, LAUNDRY) CLOSE FOR EASE OF PLUMBING
Group together the plumbing areas that share water and drainage pipes. Walls and floors can separate,but still keep the piping close together..

CONSIDER A SAND SHOWER
Particularly if close to the beach, an open sand shower can be handy to wash off the sand and sun dry rather than use the main shower.

A SHOWER OPTION IS A MANDI
A Mandi is a large tub of water that is filled and water scooped out and poured over occupant. In the tropics this is suitable for washing and does not need gravity water.

A WET AREA IS THE BEST OPTIONS FOR THE TROPICS
In the tropics, bathrooms are often used to wash and keep cool. A full wet area is more suitable and easier to dry and keep clean and free of mould.

USE MIRRORS AND LIGHT COLOURED WALLS TO INCREASE VISUAL SIZE OF BATHROOM
Use light and reflective interiors with small objects to increase the visual size.

BATHROOM STORAGE
Bathroom storage is for wet and damp items such as hooks for towels and shelves at low and higher levels for clothes. Dry towels and other dry bathroom items should be stored outside of the bathroom to keep dry until needed.

BEST LIGHTING IS NATURAL AND LOW
Lighting in the bathroom is about grooming in front of the mirror so lighting above and to both sides of the missor is needed with natural lighting best.

BATHROOM SIZES

Use larger bathroom sizes in the tropics.

Toilet ­ Minimum 30” (760mm) wide space and 21”(530mm) to the front.

Shower / baths ­ Minimum 21”(530mm) to the front.

Shower size minimum 30”(760mm) with 36”(910mm) preferable.

Sink height is 36” standard (910mm)

Toilet roll best 12”(300mm) from toilet and 26”(550mm) from the floor.

Reference, with thanks ­ http://www.oxpop.com/resume/kitchen/sweat/bbasics.htm