Imagine two public restrooms. Imagine two restrooms that are public. The other serves a remote trailhead surrounded by open land.

Both buildings offer the same services but in the event that they were constructed as identical structures, it would be impossible to understand how different these places function.

Image credit: romtec.com

The site is the initial step to build a quality public restroom. Who will use the facility? How many people may arrive at a time? What is the best way to get utilities? How far will visitors have to be able to walk? What’s the architectural style surrounding the structure?

Answering these questions can influence most of the subsequent decisions.

Begin by determining how users move Through the Site

Placement of toilets shouldn’t be taken as a separate thing from the rest and design of a park. At a sports complex the visitors can arrive in large groups during games and events. The location of the restroom near a play area must be suitable for families, as well as safe and accessible for pedestrians. In urban settings, the footprint of sidewalk restrooms can be smaller, and they could require a combination with other features of the streetscape.

The structure itself isn’t the whole experience. Location is affected by the surrounding area, accessibility, pathways, and other activities.

Remote Sites can create a Unique Problem

Make the project more remote from the existing infrastructure and streets. A scenic view, a campground, trailhead or even a remote recreation spot may not be able to connect to conventional sewer service. In the right circumstances vault toilets can be an alternative to restroom facilities to be utilized in locations that traditional plumbing infrastructure could be impossible or unpractical.

This changes the conversation about design. Instead of deciding on a building in the beginning, team members will evaluate the conditions of the site and determine which restroom system is appropriate for the site.

Capacity should reflect actual use

A park in a peaceful neighbourhood and a complex for sports locally don’t have the exact pattern of visits. In peak times, demand is essential. A facility that feels adequate for a typical Tuesday afternoon might face different conditions on a weekend tournament, festival, or any other type of community event.

Owners can design their building around the needs of the bathroom, taking into account the size, layout and fixtures, and access to 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.

Even though Architecture is a part of the conversation

An appearance isn’t ignored simply due to its function. Public restrooms are part of the landscape. Roof forms, siding, colours as well as fixtures, masonry and other architectural features can aid in connecting it to nearby pavilions or concession buildings or the natural surroundings an established design theme or the community.

Romtec’s unique approach to design allows teams to work with different colors, materials and shapes, as well as exterior designs, instead of being limited to the standard appearance.

Design for Place, Not Just the Design for Place.

Romtec cooperates with park managers and contractors to provide and construct restrooms and other public structures. Its expertise is in building documentation and code requirements, ADA considerations as well as engineering, selection of components and construction across the United States.

It is surprising how simple the initial point of departure remains. Don’t begin by asking what restrooms you could build on the spot. First, you must understand what’s already taking place on the location, including people, activities and infrastructure. Plan the structure that will fit in.