Imagine two restrooms for public use. Two public restrooms. One is a trailhead in a rural area with wide open spaces.

Both of them provide the same fundamental service, but designing them as identical buildings would ignore how differently those places operate.

Site selection is key to creating high-quality public restrooms. Who will be using it? How many people are able to arrive at the same time? What are the available utilities? What distance must visitors travel? What’s the architectural style surrounding the building?

Image credit: romtec.com

These answers will affect nearly all of the decisions that follow.

Begin by watching how visitors are moving around the site.

The positioning of restrooms should not be considered separately from the rest a park. In a sporting complex there are large crowds that congregate around events and games. The restrooms for playgrounds need to be easily accessible for families, while also fitting in the flow of pedestrians. In a downtown setting, sidewalk restrooms may have to work within a tighter footprint and complement nearby streetscape features.

The structure is just one element of the experience. The area of the building’s site is influenced by many aspects, including its accessibility, nearby activities pathways, entrances, and paths.

Remote sites create a new Problem

Removing the project from the existing infrastructure and streets. The conventional sewer service may not be available at a scenic view point or in a remote recreation area trails, campgrounds, trailheads or any other area. If properly used vault toilets are an alternative to conventional plumbing systems in areas which are difficult to access or impossible to install.

The design process is different. The project teams do not need to choose a building prior to looking at the site and deciding the best restroom solution. most effectively.

Capacity should reflect actual usage

A park in a quiet neighborhood or a sports facility in the region don’t share the same pattern of visits. The demand for peak hours is vital. It’s not enough to have a facility in good shape on a Tuesday afternoon.

Making plans around actual usage can help owners consider bathroom capacities, layout, fixtures, access to maintenance and other operational demands prior to construction starts.

The flexibility of prefabricated park restrooms could be extremely beneficial to companies considering the facilities. Instead of forcing the building to follow a particular design, the structure can be adapted to the needs of the project.

Architecture is still a part of the Conversation

The appearance of a restroom is essential, however it shouldn’t be ignored since its function is more important. A public restroom is a part of the natural landscape. The roof’s forms and colors, sidings, masonry and fixtures can be used to relate it to the pavilions and concessions nearby structures, natural surroundings or as a design theme for the community.

Romtec’s unique approach to project management allows teams to blend different types of materials, colors, forms and exterior finishes rather than having to stick with a single standardized appearance.

Design for the Place Design for the Place, Not just for the Purpose

Romtec collaborates with park owners as well as landscape architects and contractors to design and construct restroom buildings as well as other public structures. Its experience includes building documentation as well as code requirements, ADA considerations, engineering choice of components, as well as construction throughout the United States.

It’s surprising how simple the starting point remains. Don’t start by asking what restrooms you could build on the spot. Start by analyzing the activities, people infrastructure, and surroundings already there. Make sure the building you design fits within.