UNRAVELING THE WOMEN'S MOVEMENT IN EAST LONDON

by Angela Tice

My proposal unravels the history of the Wash House which developed into the Women’s Library. Women of all backgrounds and classes predominantly used the laundry department and socialised in the same swimming spaces. After taking over men’s jobs during WW1, they earned their own money to afford this luxury. The Women’s Library recorded such achieve-ments.

The museum provides a laundrette and a library. Womens uniforms from the jobs they took over during the war are displayed and hung. Visitors can learn about women’s history in the 19th/20th century through reading upstairs while waiting for their laundry. Views from the library into the laundry will show people socialising, forming part of the museums display.

The original buildings used red brick/ceramic elements. I used glazed tiles to create a glossy and reflective façade, reminiscent of water and the Bath house. The building incorporates a RHS collecting and recycling water for the washing machines.