Rethinking Public Restrooms: Nantes Conference Explores Inclusive Design Solutions
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A conference set to take place on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at the Nantes Métropole Exhibition Center will address the critical need for more inclusive public restroom design. The event, organized as part of the “Degendering Architecture” course at Ensa Nantes in partnership with Nantes Métropole, aims to tackle long-standing questions about accessibility and equity in public spaces.
Addressing a Fundamental Need for Inclusive Spaces
The core question driving the discussion is simple, yet profound: “Which toilets for which uses and which audiences?” Organizers emphasize the importance of rethinking restroom facilities to ensure they are usable by everyone. This conversation comes at a time of increasing awareness surrounding gender identity and the limitations of traditional, gendered restroom designs.
Experts to Lead the Discussion
The conference will feature insights from two leading experts in the field of inclusive design. Célia Ferrer, a designer specializing in social innovation, will share her experience transforming spaces for greater inclusion. Ferrer, trained in both product design and social innovation, leverages design tools to promote equality. She currently works with the Atelier Recherche Observatoire Egalité (L’ARObE) on projects focused on creating egalitarian establishments and spaces, and co-authored the 2025 publication, Make equal society, Tools to act, with Edith Maruéjouls.
Joining Ferrer will be Gail Ramster, a researcher in Inclusive Design at the Royal College of Art in London. Ramster’s research centers on the built environment and its impact on affected communities, with a particular focus on public toilet design. She is the founder of The Toilet Map, the UK’s most comprehensive database of publicly accessible restrooms, and the co-author of Designing Inclusive Public Toilets, published in 2025, which synthesizes two decades of research on improving restroom accessibility.
Moderation and Accessibility Details
The discussion will be moderated by either Stéphanie Bouysse-Mesnage, a lecturer at ensa Nantes, or Anne Labroille, an associate lecturer at Paris Nanterre University. The conference will be held at the Nantes Métropole Exhibition Center, located at 2 rue Valmy, with a location access plan available online. Admission is free, but registration is required.
This event represents a significant step towards creating more welcoming and equitable public spaces for all members of the community. It underscores the growing recognition that thoughtful design can play a crucial role in fostering inclusivity and addressing the needs of a diverse population.
