Imagine two public toilets. Imagine two restrooms for public use. The other has a private trailhead that is surrounded by open terrain.
The two buildings provide the same services, but should they be constructed as identical structures, it would be impossible to know how these locations function.
Image credit: romtec.com
The location is the first step to build a quality public restroom. Who will be using the facilities? How many people are allowed to be in the facility at once? What facilities are available? How far will visitors have to stroll? What is the architecture that surrounds the structure?
How you answer those questions will influence any decision that is made.
Start by looking at how users move around the site
Toilets’ location shouldn’t be taken as a separate thing from the design and other elements of the park. People can arrive in large numbers to an athletic facility to view events or games. The location of a restroom near a playground must be convenient for families, but also secure and accessible to pedestrians. In a city-centric setting restrooms on sidewalks could need to fit within a narrower space and blend in with nearby streetscape elements.
The structure is only one component of the experience. The area of the building’s site is influenced by many aspects, including its access, activities nearby pathways, entrances, and paths.
Remote sites create a different Problem
The project should be moved further from existing streets and infrastructure. It might be difficult to connect a scenic view or trailhead to an existing sewer system. Vault toilets are a solution that can be used in locations where traditional plumbing infrastructure is either difficult or impossible.
The design debate is now different. Instead of picking a structure the project team should look at the location’s conditions to determine which restroom system will work best in the particular location.
Capacity should reflect the actual use
A park located in a tranquil neighborhood or a sports facility regionally do not have the same types of patrons. In peak times, demand is crucial. The peak demand is crucial.
Before building, homeowners should take into consideration the actual use of bathrooms, their capacities, 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.
Architecture Still Should Be Part of the conversation
It’s not just because it’s a purpose. A restroom is a visible part of a public landscape. The form of the roof the sidings, colors, fixtures and masonry could be employed to tie it into the pavilions and concessions nearby structures, natural surroundings or a common design theme.
Romtec’s unique approach permits project teams to mix different material, colors, shapes and exterior finishes instead of having to adhere to one uniform appearance.
Designing for the place, not just the Goal
Romtec collaborates with park operators contractors, owners and landscape architects to develop, construct, and install public restrooms. Its expertise includes building documentation, code considerations, ADA issues, engineering selection of the right components and construction in the United States.
It’s amazing how easy the initial point of departure remains. Do not begin by asking yourself what kind of restrooms can be built on your property. Start by understanding the people, activities, infrastructure, and the environment that is already there. Make sure the building you design fits with the existing environment.