“Bathrooms are often the first stop at an airport for passengers. Airports say clean, uncrowded facilities that are easy to find are actually a huge factor in how well-liked an airport is, and even in whether travelers will purchase food or shop at airport stores,” wrote the Wall Street Journal.
JFK Airport’s Terminal 4, operated by JFKIAT, has elegant new restrooms that conform to all those requirements. Located on the east side of the Customs Arrival Hall, and designed by Woods Bagot, they are designed to be easy to find, easy to clean, and, at 900 sq ft, spacious.
Framing the restroom entrance is a teal back-painted glass which takes design inspiration from JFK’s new brand standards. Embedded within these frames are graphics of iconic New York City landmarks which convey a sense of place but can be easily replaced with new graphics should branding standards change. Mirroring the hue of the entrance, a teal pennytile feature wall draws users in. Life-size man and woman icons etched into a glass front act as wayfinding. This big, bold design makes the restroom impossible to miss, and will become the new standard for all restrooms at T4.
Inside, bright white terrazzo flooring, marbleized walls, and delicate wall sconces combine for a look and feel of understated elegance. Calacatta porcelain tile lines the women’s vanity area, and a thoughtful raised shelf behind the sink is a dry place to put your makeup bag while you freshen up after a long flight. Powder coated in white, the accessories blend into the walls behind. With public health in mind, all dispensers and taps are touchless. Full height wood laminate partitions provide privacy and a touch of warmth to an otherwise clean, bright space.
“JFKIAT has continued to focus on improving the customer experience through new terminal investment, and Woods Bagot’s design for our newly renovated restrooms is the latest initiative in line with the Port Authority's goal to make JFK a world-class airport,” said Roel Huinink, President & CEO of JFKIAT. “We are very pleased with the end result, and hope that our customers enjoy the new look and feel of the space.”
