Imagine two restrooms for public use. There are two public restrooms. One is a trailhead in a rural location that is surrounded by vast open spaces.
They both provide the exact same essential service. However, if you design them to be identical structures, they would not function in the exact same way.
Image credit: romtec.com
The site is the first step in the construction of a decent public bathroom. Who will use it? What is the maximum number of people who can visit at the same time? What facilities are available? What distance do visitors have to be able to walk? What architectural style is used to surround the structure?
The answers to these questions will affect most of the subsequent decisions.
Start with observing how people use the site.
The location of restrooms should not be considered separately from the rest of a park. In a sporting complex, large crowds may be gathered around games and events. The location of a bathroom close to a playground should be suitable for families as well as safe and accessible to pedestrians. In a downtown setting, sidewalk restrooms may have to operate within a restricted footprint, and also complement the streetscape features.
The building is only a small aspect of the experience. The site of the building is influenced by many factors, including its accessibility, proximity to activities as well as the entrances, pathways, and routes.
Remote Sites Create a Different Problem
The project should now be moved away from developed streets and utility infrastructure. The sewer system of the conventional type may not be accessible at a scenic view point or in a remote recreation zone trails, campgrounds, trailheads or in other places. If properly used the vault toilets could provide an alternative to the traditional plumbing infrastructure in areas that are difficult or inaccessible.
This shifts the way we talk about design. Instead of choosing a structure first, design teams can evaluate site conditions and choose which toilet system makes sense for the location.
Capacity ought to reflect Real Use
A park in a peaceful neighborhood and a sports complex regionally do not have the same types of patrons. Demand during peak times is important. It’s not enough to be in good order on an afternoon on Tuesday.
Owners can design their building around the need for the restroom, considering the capacity, layout, and fixtures, and maintenance access.
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.
The Architecture Conversation Still Belongs to Us
The appearance of a restroom is not merely due to its function. A bathroom is an obvious part of a landscape that is public. The roof’s forms, sidings, colors, masonry and fixtures can be utilized to connect it to adjacent pavilions, concessions and natural surroundings, or as a design theme for the community.
Romtec’s bespoke approach lets teams to work with various materials, colors and shapes as well as exterior styling, instead of being limited to a traditional appearance.
Design for Place, Not just for the Function
Romtec works with park owners and contractors in order to provide and construct bathrooms and other public facilities. Its expertise covers building documentation, code considerations, ADA issues, engineering design, selecting of components as well as construction within the United States.
It’s surprising how simple the starting point remains. Make a decision about the kind of bathroom you’d like construct. Start by understanding the activities, people, infrastructure, and environment already there. Plan the structure that will fit in.