Inclusive Restrooms & Locker Rooms in K–12 Schools

AIAU24-CAE01R

Included in subscription

1.0 LU|HSW

Course expires on: 06/15/2027

$30

Architect$30

Member Price

$45

Non-member Price

Description

Changing access and supervision requirements are beginning to challenge the traditional norm of designing segregated, gender-specific restrooms and locker rooms for K–12 schools. Inclusive facilities offer a more humane and dignified approach to the traditional toileting and locker room experience.

Learn the benefits and practicalities of designing inclusive restrooms and locker rooms—highlighting their role in promoting equity, accessibility, efficiency, and student health.

Understand how inclusive facilities can reduce bullying, enhance privacy, and improve overall student safety and well-being. Gain practical tools to navigate conversations with community stakeholders, code officials, administrators, staff, families, and students—ensuring a smooth transition to more inclusive environments in K–12 schools.

AIA Best Practices Guide

To learn more about inclusive and universal restroom and locker room design in K-12 schools, read the AIA Guide on Inclusive restrooms & locker rooms in K-12 schools by Cheryl Jacobs, AIA, Greg Louviere, AIA, & Benjamin Fields, AIA, published June 2024.

This session was recorded live on August 29, 2024.

Course expires 6/14/2027

Learning Objectives

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Define key components of inclusive restrooms and locker rooms in K–12 schools.

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Identify school facility design recommendations that support student health and well-being and explain how they can contribute to a more efficient toileting experience and a reduce anxiety, avoidance, bullying, and other unwanted or unsafe behaviors.

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Describe design recommendations for enhancing physical and psychological privacy and how they accommodate various cultural, religious, and personal privacy requirements.

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Identify the safety and security benefits of co-locating restrooms and locker rooms with other functions.

Describe key maintenance and plumbing considerations of inclusive facilities and how they are different from traditional, gender-specific facilities.

Presented in partnership with the Committee on Architecture for Education (CAE).

Instructors

Benjamin Fields

AIA, ALEP, LEED AP BD+C

Benjamin Fields is a principal with McGranahaPBK in Tacoma, WA. Ben has served on the AIA Southwest Washington board as well as the Washington State Chapter and Pacific Northwest Chapter Boards for the Association for Learning Environments. He is a LEED Accredited Professional and an Accredited Learning Environment Planner (ALEP).

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Cheryl Jacobs

AIA, LEED AP BD+C

Cheryl leads teams in the design of learning environments at NAC. Her work is focused on people, delivering inspiring spaces for students and teachers as well as making the workplace a gratifying place to be for her teams. With a background in psychology, Cheryl is a champion for equity, diversity, and inclusion and is a leader in NAC’s JEDI initiative. Cheryl volunteers with AIA National and AIA Seattle, A4LE JEDI, and ACE Mentoring to bring her commitment for student wellness full circle.

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