Imagine two public toilets. There are two public restrooms. The other is at the trailhead’s remote location, which is surrounded by vast open spaces.
Both provide the exact service, but constructing the two buildings as identical will not take into consideration the different ways in which these places function.
Image credit: romtec.com
Good public restroom buildings begin with the location. Who can use the facilities? How many people are able to arrive simultaneously? What amenities are there? How far must visitors walk? What is the architecture surrounding the structure?
How you answer these questions will influence nearly all subsequent decisions.
Start by studying how users move around the site
Bathrooms should not be viewed in isolation from other areas of a park. Visitors can show up in large numbers to an athletic facility to view the games or other events. The location of a restroom close to a playground should be easy for families to access, while also being safe and accessible to pedestrians. In urban environments the size of sidewalk restrooms might be smaller, and they might need to complement other features of the streetscape.
The structure itself isn’t the complete experience. The area of the building’s site is influenced by many aspects, such as its accessibility, nearby activities pathways, entrances, and paths.
Remote sites create a new Problem
The project must be relocated away from the road and utilities infrastructure. A scenic viewpoint, campsite, trailhead, or a remote recreation area might not be connected to conventional sewer service. If the situation is right, vault toilets provide the possibility of toilet facilities to serve areas where traditional plumbing infrastructure may be inaccessible or not practical.
This alters the design discussion. Instead of deciding on a building initially, teams of project managers will evaluate the conditions of the site and decide which bathroom system makes sense for the location.
Capacity should reflect real use
The pattern of visits to parks that are quiet and regional sports facilities differ. Demand at peak times is crucial. The peak demand is important.
Owners can design their building around the need for the bathroom, based on the capacity, layout, and fixtures, in addition to access 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
The design of a bathroom is crucial, however it shouldn’t be overlooked because its purpose is much more important. A public bathroom is a part of the landscape. Roof forms, siding, fixtures, colors, masonry as well as other architectural features can aid in establishing a connection with nearby pavilions, concession buildings or natural surroundings. a well-established design theme for the community.
Romtec’s custom approach allows project teams to blend different designs, materials, colors and exterior designs rather than having to stick with one uniform appearance.
Design for Place, Not just for the Purpose
Romtec collaborates with park operators contractors, park owners, as well as landscape architects to design, provide and construct public restrooms. The company’s experience includes building documentation, code requirements, ADA considerations, engineering design, selecting components, and construction across the United States.
It’s surprising how simple the starting point remains. Don’t start by asking which restrooms you could build on the location. Understand the environment, people, and activities that already exist. Design the structure that is right for this location.