History meets the present at Marienplatz in Munich. This is the world-famous centre of the Bavarian state capital. Whether chimes, champions' celebration or city festival, something is offered at the Mariensäule statue during every season. In the shadows of the old and new city hall, both locals and tourists shop in the pedestrian zone and marvel at the street artists. And if you cast a glance at the square from Alten Peter, you can get an idea of what constitutes the Munich attitude to life.
Furthermore, the Marienplatz is the main traffic hub of the East-West axis between Isartor and Karlstor and the South-North axis between Sendlinger Tor and Schwabing. It is an ideal starting point for sightseeing trips through the Bavarian state capital. Directly underneath is the Sperrengeschoss from which you can reach the commuter train and underground railway system platforms. Extensive alterations have been undertaken here since 2012 and have now been concluded.
Part of the alteration includes the renewal of the public sanitary facilities. Originally part of the Europe-wide bid, the “Renovation and Operation of Public Sanitary Facilities Munich”, this site was taken out and separately tendered due to the station renovation. The hammer for the new construction fell in favour of Hering in April of this year.
The sanitary facility has a total area of about 93 m². There is no comparison to the previous situation; the facility now shines in light colours. The walls were provided with white tiles and planked behind the objects with light-green glass insets. On the lady’s side there are 4 stalls, 3 washbasins and 1 baby changing table, on the men's side there are 4 stalls, 6 urinals and 2 washbasins. Access is through comfortable speed stiles. But the special feature in this sanitary facility is the accessible booth.
Based on the design from the “Leben Pur” foundation, a sanitary facility of the “Toilets for Everyone” type was implemented here. The “Leben Pur” foundation is committed to people with multiple disabilities and the project “Toilets for Everyone” has the goal to also provide the most adequate possible sanitary facilities in public areas for these people. That is why the requirements placed on these sanitary facilities are so special:
Size circa 12 square metres, in addition to “standard”accessible equipment a height adjustable day bed (190 x 100 centimetres) with hinged side grids, a ceiling or standing lifter and an airtight, lockable diaper pail are also provided. A pilot project has already been opened in Munich at the airport and another facility in Nuremberg.
Since the end of October, Marienplatz in Munich now also has a “Toilet for Everyone”. Both the Leben pur foundation and Hering Sanikonzept now hope that more cities will follow this example.
