Imagine two toilets for public use. Imagine two restrooms that are public. The other has a private trailhead surrounded with open land.
Both provide the same essential service. But when you create them in identical structures, they would not operate in the same way.
Image credit: romtec.com
Good public restroom facilities begin with the location. Who will use the facility? How many people are allowed to be in the facility at once? What facilities are available? How far must visitors walk? What architectural style is used to surround the building?
These answers will impact nearly all of the decisions that are made.
Start with the way people move through the Site
The placement of restrooms should not be thought of as an independent thing from the rest of a park. In a complex for sports there are large crowds that gather around events and games. The location of the restroom near a playground must be suitable for families, while also being safe and accessible to pedestrians. In urban settings the size of sidewalk restrooms might be smaller, and they could need to be complemented by other streetscape elements.
The structure is just one aspect of the experience. The location of the building is influenced by many aspects, including its accessibility, the proximity of activities, paths, and entrances.
Remote Sites create a Different Problem
Now move the project away from streets that are paved and utilities infrastructure. The traditional sewer line may not be available at a scenic view point or in an isolated recreation area, trailheads, campgrounds, or other areas. In appropriate applications, vault toilets provide an alternative that allows restroom facilities to serve locations where traditional plumbing infrastructure may be difficult or impractical.
This alters the design discussion. Instead of selecting a building initially, teams of project managers can evaluate site conditions and then determine which type of restroom best fits the space.
Capacity should reflect real use
A park in a quiet area and a sports complex in the region don’t share the same pattern of visits. The peak demand is crucial. A facility that feels adequate on a normal Tuesday afternoon can face different conditions at a festival, event, or other community event.
Planning around actual use helps owners to think about bathroom dimensions, layout, fixtures, access for maintenance, and other operational requirements prior to construction begins.
The flexibility of prefabricated park restrooms can be very beneficial to businesses who are looking at the structures. Instead of requiring the location to be a certain design, the structure can be adapted to what is required for the particular project.
The Architecture Conversation Continually Belongs to Us
The appearance of a restroom is important, but it should not be ignored because the purpose is more crucial. The restroom is an important part of the public landscape. The roof forms walls, sidings, colors fixtures, and masonry are used to link it to the nearby pavilions, concessions structures, natural surroundings or even a theme for a community design.
Romtec’s unique approach to design allows teams to utilize various materials, colors and shapes, as well exterior styling, instead of being restricted to a standard appearance.
Designing for the Place, not Just the Goal
Romtec partners with park owners and contractors in order to provide and construct restrooms as well as other public buildings. Its expertise includes documenting the construction process and code requirements, ADA considerations as well as engineering, selection of components and construction across the United States.
The most crucial beginning point is actually quite simple. Do not start by asking what restrooms can be built on your site. First, you must understand what’s already taking place on the location which includes people, activities and infrastructure. Make the design that is right for this location.