All welcome WC@HGK Basel
"All Welcome WC" at the Basel Academy of Art and Design FHNW are open to everyone: People who identify as diverse, female, male and further; people in wheelchairs; people with strollers; even people with dogs - anyone who wants to use a toilet.
The HGK Basel deliberately does without new categories and thus corresponds to a widespread use at the HGK Basel of the former "disabled-friendly" toilets as All Welcome WC.
All Welcome WC at HGK Basel are equipped with changing tables and are easily accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. Unfortunately, the former women's and men's toilets do not have this equipment after being converted into All Welcome WCs due to the cubicle structure.
Hygiene dispensers for sanitary towels and tampons
There are hygiene dispensers for sanitary towels and tampons in all ladies' and all welcome toilets on the ground and upper floors of the buildings.
An overview of the location of the All welcome WC can be found here.
Diversity, awareness, personal integrity, social and environmental sustainability are important topics at HGK Basel, as are accessibility and inclusion.
In the spring semester of 2022, the HGK Basel converted three existing toilets in a pilot project and put them up for discussion as so-called "All Welcome WCs"; feedback and concrete ideas could be contributed by students and staff through various channels.
The feedback reflects a broad understanding of diversity at the HGK Basel. In addition to wishes regarding the equipment of the toilets, many suggestions were also made regarding designations and representations. The existing urinals as well as the body representations as symbols were controversially discussed.
Negotiating the toilets as a "safe space", "fluid project space" or as a space for rest and retreat were also part of the discussion.
The decision to introduce the All Welcome WC is a result of the discourse that took place.
Feedback is still welcome; the HGK Basel is open to it and interested in staying in touch.
Please contact us with any questions, comments or suggestions: