Improving everyday spaces: UCL’s washroom refurbishment programme

Why washrooms matter

Washrooms are fundamental to how people experience UCL’s buildings. They are high-use, high-impact spaces that affect comfort, dignity, accessibility and wellbeing for students, staff and visitors.

Across parts of the Bloomsbury estate, many washrooms are now facing inconsistent accessibility provision and rising maintenance demand. Surveys and facilities data have shown that these issues can lead to dissatisfaction and operational disruption. 

This programme directly responds to that evidence, targeting facilities where investment will deliver the greatest improvement in accessibility, reliability and overall experience for staff, students and visitors. 

This programme is being delivered in line with UCL’s updated Washroom Standards, which were revised in 2025–26 to reflect changes to building regulations and best practice in inclusive design. 

What the programme will deliver

The washroom refurbishment programme will provide fully renewed, compliant and inclusive facilities, while also addressing underlying infrastructure risks that cannot be resolved through routine maintenance alone.

Across both phases, the programme will deliver:

• Improved accessibility and inclusive provision, including universal facilities where appropriate
• Replacement of end-of-life drainage, sanitaryware and finishes
• Improved hygiene, lighting and safety features
• Reduced reactive maintenance and unplanned closures
• Lower water and energy use through efficient fixtures and controls
• A consistent, high-quality standard of provision across the estate

All refurbished facilities will meet the updated UCL Washroom Standards, including clear requirements for accessible layouts, inclusive provision and long-term sustainability. This includes consideration of assistance dog facilities, ablution needs and other specialist requirements where appropriate, informed by technical guidance, consultation and equality impact assessment.

A phased approach to minimise disruption

To reduce impact on teaching and research activity, the programme will be delivered during summer shutdown periods in two clearly defined phases.

Phase 1 – summer 2026 (13 facilities)

Works will take place in the following buildings:

• School of Pharmacy
• B Katz Building
• GOSICH main building
• Medical Sciences and Anatomy
• Student Centre

Phase 2 – summer 2027 (12 facilities)

Works will follow in:

• Wilkins Building, including South Junction
• Roberts Building
• Malet Place Engineering

Phase 2 includes targeted enhancements and, where appropriate, selective layout improvements. 

How decisions were made

An independent condition and performance appraisal of washrooms across the Bloomsbury campus informed the programme’s scope and priorities. This evidence-based approach ensured investment is targeted at facilities with the greatest need, where refurbishment will deliver measurable improvements in accessibility, compliance and user experience.

What this means for staff and students

For the UCL community, this programme will deliver:

• more accessible and inclusive washrooms in key academic and student-facing buildings
• cleaner, brighter and more reliable facilities
• fewer closures due to drainage failures or maintenance issues
• improved comfort and dignity in everyday campus use

By addressing both visible issues and hidden infrastructure risks, the programme also supports long-term resilience across the estate.

What happens next

With Full Business Case approval secured, the programme will move into procurement and mobilisation during spring 2026. Construction for Phase 1 will take place from mid-June to early September 2026, with Phase 2 following in summer 2027.

Clear communication will be provided ahead of and during works, and phased shutdowns will be carefully coordinated to minimise disruption.

Your feedback helps shape better spaces

Feedback from staff and students plays an essential role in helping UCL prioritise investment and improve the everyday experience of our buildings.

If you experience issues with washrooms or other welfare facilities, reporting them through MyCampus ensures they are logged, tracked and fed directly into Estates decision-making.

Using MyCampus helps:

• identify patterns across high-use buildings
• prioritise maintenance and future investment
• improve response times and long-term planning

Every submission contributes to creating a safe, inclusive and sustainable campus for everyone.

MyCampus - your space to report an issue or provide feedback

This programme is being delivered in line with UCL’s updated Washroom Standards, which were revised in 2025–26 to reflect changes to building regulations and best practice in inclusive design. We are carefully considering the implications of the Equality and Human Rights Commission's updated Code of Practice for services (which is undergoing parliamentary scrutiny ) and will continue to engage with and support our community as we do so.