Washrooms on The Edge

By Ian Ross McDonald, Design Quarterly
May 2013

Situated below the cliffs that edge the UBC Endowment Lands and forming part of Pacific Spirit Park, Wreck Beach feels like it is on the edge of the world. Access to the beach is only possible by braving a steep 473 step log staircase that quickly removes any visitor from the sounds of campus life and traffic. It is an experience that belies entirely its proximity to downtown Vancouver. Indeed, once you feel the sand between your toes, you realize that it is just you, forest, ocean… and hundreds of naturalists. This is no ordinary beach – this is Canada’s most famous nude beach. More …