All bathrooms are designed for a purpose. That purpose is, almost always, the obvious utilitarian one - people need a place to relieve themselves. Some bathrooms, however, can do other things, and the standard McDonnell bathroom is a good example of this; it acts as a refuge - an oasis in the sea of chemicals and oppresive institutional decor that is McDonnell hall.

The centerpiece of the McDonnel bathrooms are doubtlessly the sinks and mirrors, which are modern and effective, with good water pressure - among the best on campus. Indeed, a unique sign in the McDonnell second floor women's room implores its patrons to wash their hands to stave off Hepatitus and the flu. This reviewer couldn't help wondering if the signs are necessary; I was - and I suspect that most of the bathrooms' patrons will be - naturally drawn to the inviting sinks, and washing my hands in them was a pleasure.

The stalls and toilets are, unfortunately, more pedestrian - their boringness in line with the general trend at Wash U and the rest of McDonnell's decor. The bathrooms did feature coathooks - an unfortunately rare convenience.