Picture two public restrooms. Imagine two restrooms for public use. Another is near a trailhead that is remote, which is surrounded by vast open spaces.

Both provide the same essential service, but designing the two buildings as identical does not consider the way in which different locations operate.

Image credit: romtec.com

The site is the first step in the construction of a decent public restroom. Who will use the facilities? How many people can arrive simultaneously? What are the available utilities? How far must visitors walk? What’s the architectural style surrounding the structure?

The answers to these questions will affect the majority of decisions that follow.

Begin by watching how people traverse the site

Restroom placement shouldn’t be considered as a separate thing from the rest of the park. Visitors may arrive in large numbers at the sports facility to watch events or games. Toilets that are used for play areas need to be conveniently located for families while integrating safely into the traffic flow. In a city-centric setting it might be necessary to incorporate sidewalk restrooms in a smaller footprint while complementing other streetscape elements.

The building is just one component of the experience. The location of the building is influenced by many aspects, such as its accessibility, proximity to activities pathways, entrances, and paths.

Remote Sites create a Different Problem

The project should be moved further from the existing infrastructure and streets. It may be impossible to connect a scenic view and/or trailhead with an ordinary sewer system. If the situation is right vault toilets offer an alternative that allows toilet facilities to serve areas that traditional plumbing infrastructure could be unattainable or inaccessible.

The conversation shifts around design. Teams working on projects do not need to choose a building prior to analysing the site and deciding which restroom system will work most effectively.

Capacity should reflect actual usage

A quiet park in the neighborhood and an athletic facility in the region aren’t the same for visitor patterns. Demand at peak times is important. It’s not enough just to be in good shape on the afternoon of a Tuesday.

Before building, homeowners should consider the actual usage of restrooms, such as their capacity, layout, fixtures and requirements for maintenance.

For organizations researching prefabricated park restroom buildings, flexibility can be particularly valuable because the building can be configured around the project’s requirements instead of forcing the site to accommodate a predetermined model.

Although Architecture is an element of the conversation

Appearance is not ignored just due to its function. Bathrooms are a visible part of a public landscape. The form of the roof and colors, sidings, fixtures and masonry could be employed to tie it into adjacent pavilions, concessions and natural surroundings, or as a design theme for the community.

Romtec’s customized approach permits project teams to mix different designs, materials, colors and exterior finishes rather than being limited to a single standardized appearance.

Designing for the Space, not only the Goal

Romtec collaborates with park owners and contractors to provide and construct restrooms and other public buildings. Its expertise includes the documentation of buildings, code-related considerations, ADA issues, engineering, selection of components, as well as construction within the United States.

It’s surprising how easy the starting point remains. Begin by deciding on the type of bathroom you’d like to construct. Begin by understanding the activities, people, infrastructure and the surrounding environment there. Plan the structure that will fit within.