Imagine two public restrooms. Imagine two restrooms that are public. The other serves a remote trailhead, surrounded by open space.
Both provide the same basic service. But, if you create them in identical structures, they could not operate in the same manner.
Image credit: romtec.com
The site is the initial step to build a quality public bathroom. Who will be using it? How many guests can be in the facility simultaneously? What facilities are available? How far will visitors have to stroll? What architectural style surrounds the building?
These answers will impact almost all decisions that are made.
You can start by observing how users navigate the site
The positioning of restrooms should not be considered in isolation from other areas of a park. At a sports venue people can be in large groups during games and other events. The location of restrooms near a playground has to be easy for families to access, but also secure and accessible to pedestrians. In urban areas the space of sidewalk restrooms may be smaller, and they could need to complement other features in the streetscape.
The building is only a small aspect of the experience. The entrances, pathways, the surrounding activities, and accessibility all influence whether its location works in real life.
Remote sites cause a distinct problem
The project must be relocated away from the developed street and utilities infrastructure. A picturesque overlook, campground, trailhead or remote recreation area may not be able to connect to a sewer line that is conventional. In appropriate applications, vault toilets provide an alternative that allows restroom facilities to serve locations where traditional plumbing infrastructure may be difficult or impractical.
The conversation shifts around design. Instead of choosing a structure first, design teams are able to evaluate the site’s conditions and decide which bathroom system is appropriate for the site.
Capacity should be reflected in Actual Use
A park in a quiet area and a sports complex in the region don’t share the same kinds of people who visit. Peak demand matters. It’s not enough to have your facility in good condition on an afternoon on a Tuesday.
Making plans around actual usage can help owners consider bathroom capacity, layout, fixtures, maintenance access, and other operational requirements prior to construction starts.
Flexible restrooms built with prefabricated materials can be a great resource for companies looking into them. This is because they can be built to suit specific requirements of the project, rather than putting the location to be a model.
Even though Architecture is still an integral component of the conversation
It’s not a requirement that the appearance of a bathroom be overlooked. Bathrooms are a visible part of a public landscape. The form of the roof the sidings, colors, fixtures and masonry could be employed to tie it into the nearby pavilions, concessions buildings, natural surroundings or as a design theme for the community.
Romtec’s customized approach permits teams to employ different materials, colors and shapes as well as exterior styling, instead of being limited to the standard appearance.
Designing for the Environment, not just the Design for the
Romtec works with park owners and contractors to provide and construct bathrooms and other public facilities. Its expertise extends to the documentation of buildings and codes, ADA considerations as well as the engineering process, selecting components and construction across the United States.
The key starting point however, is surprisingly straightforward. Don’t start by asking what restroom facilities you could put on the spot. Know the location, people, and the activities that are already in place. Make the design that is right for this place.
