Imagine two public toilets. Picture two public restrooms. One is a trailhead located in a rural location which is surrounded by open space.
Both offer the same basic service, but designing them as identical buildings could overlook the differences in how these areas function.
Image credit: romtec.com
The site is the first step in building a good public restroom. Who is going to use it? How many persons are permitted to be in the facility at once? What amenities are there? How far should visitors walk? What is the architectural style that surrounds the building?
Answering these questions can influence most of the subsequent decisions.
Begin by watching how people are moving around the site
Restroom placement shouldn’t be considered separately from the rest of the park. Visitors can show up in large numbers to a sports complex to watch sporting events or games. It is important that a bathroom serving a playground is situated at a suitable location for families, and fit safely into the flow of pedestrians. In a city-centric setting restrooms on sidewalks could need to fit within a narrower footprint, and also complement the streetscape features.
The building is only one part of the overall experience. Entrances, paths, activities, and accessibility all influence how the location of the building works in the real world.
Remote Sites create a Different Issue
Now move the project away from the paved streets and utility infrastructure. The conventional sewer service may not be available in a scenic spot or in an isolated recreation area, trailheads, campgrounds, or any other area. 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 design process is completely different. Instead of picking a structure, project teams should evaluate the existing conditions on the site in order to determine which type of restroom is the best one for the area.
Capacity Should Be Reflective of the real-world usage
The pattern of visits to the quiet neighborhood park as well as regional sports facilities are different. The demand at peak times is important. An event that seems to be a success on an ordinary Tuesday afternoon can face different conditions during a Saturday festival, tournament, or community event.
The planning around the actual usage helps owners consider bathroom capacity layout, layout, fixtures maintenance access, and other operational needs prior to when construction gets underway.
For companies looking to construct prefabricated park restroom buildings the flexibility is useful since the building could be configured around the specifications of the project, instead of forcing the site to accommodate an established model.
Architecture Still Belongs in the Conversation
The appearance of a restroom is crucial, however it shouldn’t be ignored since the function is more crucial. The bathroom is an essential element of the landscape for everyone to enjoy. The form of the roof, sidings, colors, fixtures and masonry can be utilized to connect it to the pavilions and concessions nearby buildings, natural surroundings or a common design theme.
Romtec’s unique approach to project management allows teams to use a variety of material, colors, shapes and exterior styles rather than being limited to a single standardized appearance.
Designing for the Space, not only the Goal
Romtec works with park managers, landscape architects, and contractors to plan the, supply, and build restrooms and other public structures. Its expertise extends to documents for building construction and code requirements, ADA considerations as well as engineering, selection of components and construction across the United States.
The important starting point, however, is surprisingly straightforward. Don’t start by asking which restrooms you could build on the property. Begin by studying what is already taking place on the location such as people, activities and infrastructure. Plan the structure that will fit into.