Imagine two restrooms for public use. Imagine two restrooms that are public. The other serves a remote trailhead, surrounded by open space.
Both provide the same essential service, however, designing the same buildings could overlook the differences in how these places perform.
The location is the first stage in constructing a great public bathroom. Who can use the facilities? What is the maximum number of people allowed to use the facility simultaneously? What are the services offered? How far can visitors walk? What style of architecture is surrounded by the structure?
Image credit: romtec.com
These questions can influence any decision that is made.
Start With How People Move Through the Site
Toilets’ location shouldn’t be thought of as an independent thing from the design and other elements of the park. In a sports complex, large crowds may gather around events and games. The location of restrooms near a playground has to be suitable for families, in addition to being secure and accessible to pedestrians. In a downtown setting, sidewalk restrooms may have to work within a tighter footprint and complement nearby streetscape features.
The structure itself isn’t the whole experience. The entrances, pathways, the surrounding activities, and accessibility all influence whether its location works as intended.
Remote Sites Cause a Different Problem
The project should be moved further from existing roads and infrastructure. The traditional sewer line may not be accessible at a scenic viewpoint or in an isolated recreation area such as trailheads, campgrounds or in other places. When properly utilized, vault toilets can provide an alternative to traditional plumbing infrastructure in areas which are difficult to access or impossible to install.
The design debate is now different. Instead of picking a structure, project teams should evaluate the location’s conditions in order to determine which type of restroom best suits the location.
Capacity should reflect Actual Use
The patterns of visitors to a quiet neighborhood park and regional sports facilities are different. Peak demand is critical. It’s not enough to be in good order on a Tuesday afternoon.
Planning around actual use helps owners plan for restroom capacity layout, layout, fixtures maintenance access, and other operational requirements before construction gets underway.
The flexibility of prefabricated park restrooms could be very valuable to organizations looking into the buildings. Instead of forcing the site to conform to a specific design, the structure is able to be customized according to the needs of the project.
Architecture Still Belongs in the conversation
Functionality doesn’t mean appearance has to be overlooked. The restroom is an important aspect of the public realm. Forms of roof, siding, colors, masonry, fixtures and other architectural features can assist in connecting it with adjacent pavilions or concession structures as well as the natural surroundings, an established design theme or even a neighborhood.
Romtec’s custom approach allows project teams to mix different material, colors, shapes and exterior finishes rather than being limited to the same appearance.
Design for Place, not Only for Function
Romtec collaborates with park owners contractors, park owners, as well as landscape architects to design, provide, and install public restrooms. Its expertise extends to building documentation, code considerations, ADA issues, engineering, selection of components, as well as construction within the United States.
It’s amazing how easy starting points are. Begin by deciding on the type of bathroom you’d like to build. Learn about the surroundings, people, and activities that are already in place. Then, design the structure that is appropriate for the area.