Picture two public restrooms. Imagine two restrooms that are public. One is a trailhead located in a rural area surrounded by wide open spaces.
The two buildings provide the same service but if they were designed as identical buildings it would be difficult to discern how these sites function.
Good public restroom buildings begin with the site. Who will use the facility? How many people may arrive at once? What utilities are available? How far will visitors have to walk? What architecture surrounds the building?
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How you answer these questions will influence the majority of decisions that follow.
Begin with how people move Through the Site
Toilets’ placement shouldn’t be viewed separately from the other features and designs of parks. In a sporting complex there are large crowds that be gathered around games and events. The restrooms for playgrounds need to be conveniently located for families and fit comfortably into the traffic flow. In urban areas the space of sidewalk restrooms may be smaller and they may be required to blend with other features of the streetscape.
The building is only a small piece of the experience. Access points, routes, activities and accessibility all impact how the location of the building works in the real world.
Remote sites create a different problem
The project should be moved further from existing roads and infrastructure. It might be difficult to connect a scenic overlook and/or trailhead with the standard sewer system. When properly utilized, vault toilets can provide an alternative to the traditional plumbing infrastructure in areas that are difficult or inaccessible.
The design process is distinct. Instead of selecting a building team, the design team must evaluate the location’s conditions to determine which bathroom system is best for that location.
Capacity should reflect actual use
The types of people who visit the quiet neighborhood park as well as regional sports facilities are different. Peak demand is critical. A facility that appears to be adequate for a typical Tuesday afternoon may face different conditions during a Saturday festival, tournament, or other community event.
Owners may plan their home around the use of the bathroom, taking into account its capacity, layout and fixtures, as well as maintenance access.
The versatility of the prefabricated park toilets can be a huge benefit to the organizations who are looking at the structures. Instead of requiring the site to be a certain model, the building can be customized to meet the specifications of the project.
Although Architecture is an integral part of the conversation
The appearance of a restroom is not merely because it’s a function. The restroom is an integral element of the landscape for everyone to enjoy. Roof shapes, siding colours fixtures, masonry, and other architectural features can help relate it to nearby concession or pavilion buildings as well as the natural surroundings, an established design theme or community.
Romtec’s customized approach permits project teams to use a variety of materials, colors, shapes, and exterior treatments rather than being limited to a single standardized appearance.
Design for the Space It’s not just about the function.
Romtec works with park operators as well as landscape architects and contractors to design, supply, and install restroom buildings and other public structures. Its expertise includes documenting the construction process and code requirements, ADA considerations as well as engineering, selection of components and construction throughout the United States.
The primary starting point, but it’s surprisingly simple. Make a decision about the kind of bathroom you’d like build. Start by analyzing the people, activities infrastructure, and the environment that is already there. Make the design that is appropriate for this place.