Imagine two public toilets. One is near a busy community playground and sports facility. One is a trailhead in a remote area, surrounded by wide open spaces.
The two buildings provide the same service but in the event that they were designed as identical buildings it would be impossible to know how these places 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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The answers to these questions will shape any decision that is made.
Begin by observing how people move through the site
Toilets’ location shouldn’t be considered in isolation from the rest and style of a park. People can arrive in large numbers at the sports facility to watch sporting events or games. The location of a restroom near a playground must be suitable for families, in addition to being secure and accessible to pedestrians. In a city setting, sidewalk restrooms may have to operate within a restricted footprint, and also complement the streetscape features.
The building itself is not the entire experience. The site of the building can be influenced by several aspects, including its accessibility, nearby activities, paths, and entrances.
Remote sites pose a unique problem
Move the project further away from the existing infrastructure and streets. The sewer system of the conventional type may not be accessible in a scenic spot or in remote recreation areas, trailheads, campgrounds, or any other area. When properly utilized, vault toilets can provide an alternative to traditional plumbing infrastructure in areas which are either difficult or not practical.
The conversation shifts around design. Instead of choosing a building team, the design team must evaluate the conditions of the site to determine which bathroom system best suits the location.
Capacity Should Reflect Real Use
The visitor patterns of parks that are quiet and regional sports facilities are different. In peak times, demand is crucial. The peak demand is critical.
Owners are able to plan their project around the needs of the restroom, considering the capacity, layout, and fixtures, as well as accessibility for maintenance.
For organizations researching facilities for park restrooms that are prefabricated the flexibility is valuable because the building can be constructed to fit the specifications of the project, instead of making the location fit a predetermined model.
The Architecture Conversation Still Belongs to Us
The appearance of the restroom is essential, however it shouldn’t be ignored since its function is more crucial. The bathroom is an essential part of the public landscape. Forms for roofs, siding colors, masonry, fixtures and other architectural elements can aid in establishing a connection with adjacent pavilions, concession structures and natural surroundings or an established design theme for a community.
Romtec’s custom approach permits project teams to incorporate different colors and materials, shapes as well as exterior treatment and shapes, rather than being limited to a uniform appearance.
Designing for the Place, not Just the Purpose
Romtec collaborates with park owners contractors, park owners, and landscape architects to develop, construct and construct public restroom buildings. Its experience includes building documentation codes, building documentation, ADA considerations, engineering choice of components, as well as construction across the United States.
It’s amazing how easy the beginning point is. Start by deciding what type of bathroom you’d like to build. Begin by understanding the activities, people infrastructure, and environment already there. Then, design the structure which is a part of it.
