Imagine two toilets for public use. Imagine two restrooms for public use. One is a trailhead in a remote area, surrounded by wide open spaces.
Both buildings offer the same services, but when they were built as identical buildings it would be difficult to know how these locations function.
The site is the first step in building a good public bathroom. Who will use the facilities? What is the maximum number of people who can visit at a time? What utilities are available? How far will visitors have to take a walk? What’s the architectural style surrounding the structure?
Image credit: romtec.com
The answers to these questions will affect most of the choices that follow.
Start With How People Move Through the Site
The placement of toilets shouldn’t be viewed in isolation from other areas of the park. People can arrive in large numbers to a sports complex to watch events or games. The location of the restroom near a playground has to be easy for families to access, in addition to being secure and accessible for pedestrians. In a downtown setting, sidewalk restrooms may have to work within a tighter footprint and complement nearby streetscape features.
The building is only a small element of the experience. Paths, entrances, surrounding activities, and accessibility all influence whether its location works in the real world.
Remote Sites Cause a Different Problem
The project should now be moved away from developed streets and utility infrastructure. It may be impossible to connect a scenic overlook, campground or trailhead with the standard sewer system. Vault toilets are a viable option that is suitable for places where conventional plumbing infrastructure is either difficult or impossible.
The conversation about design is completely different. Instead of deciding on a specific building the project team should look at the conditions of the site to determine which bathroom system best suits the location.
Capacity Should Reflect Real Use
A quiet neighborhood park and regional sports facilities don’t have the same crowd patterns. The peak demand is crucial. It’s not enough just to have a facility in good order on the afternoon of a Tuesday.
Owners can plan their construction around the usage of the bathroom, based on the capacity, layout, and fixtures, and access for maintenance.
The versatility of prefabricated park restrooms could be extremely beneficial to companies considering the facilities. Instead of forcing the site to be a certain design, the structure is able to be customized according to the needs of the project.
Even though Architecture is an integral part of the conversation
The appearance of a restroom is vital, but it shouldn’t be overlooked because its purpose is much far more important. Public restrooms are part of the natural landscape. Roof forms, siding colours fixtures, masonry, and other architectural features can assist in connecting it with adjacent pavilions or concession structures, the natural surroundings, an established design theme, or the community.
Romtec’s bespoke approach lets teams to use different colors, materials and shapes, as well as exterior design, rather than being limited to a traditional appearance.
Design for the Place, Not Just the Purpose
Romtec collaborates with park owners as well as landscape architects and contractors to design and construct restroom buildings and other public buildings. Its expertise is in the documentation of buildings and codes, ADA considerations as well as engineering, selection of components and construction throughout the United States.
However, the important start point is really simple. Don’t begin by asking what restrooms you could build on the site. Understand the environment, people, and activities that already exist. Design the structure that is right for this place.