Imagine two restrooms for public use. One sits beside a busy community playground and sports facility. One trailhead is situated in a rural area which is surrounded by open space.
Both buildings offer the same service but in the event that they were built as identical buildings, it would be impossible to discern how these places function.
Image credit: romtec.com
The choice of the site is crucial to creating good public restrooms. Who will use the facility? How many people can arrive simultaneously? What are the services offered? What distance will visitors be able to take a walk? What is the architectural style that surrounds the structure?
The answers to these questions will affect nearly all of the choices that follow.
Start with observing how people navigate the site
The placement of restrooms should not be considered separately from the rest a park. When a facility is a sport there are visitors who arrive in large numbers around activities and games. The location of a bathroom near a playground has to be suitable for families, in addition to being secure and accessible for pedestrians. In a city setting, sidewalk restrooms may have to be confined to a smaller footprint, and also complement the streetscape elements.
The building is only a small aspect of the experience. Location is influenced by surrounding environment accessibility, walkways, and activities.
Remote Sites Cause a Different Problem
It is now time to move the project from the paved streets and utility infrastructure. It is possible to not connect a scenic view or trailhead, campground, or even an existing sewer system. In appropriate applications, vault toilets provide an alternative that allows restroom facilities to serve locations where traditional plumbing infrastructure may be difficult or impractical.
This alters the design discussion. Teams working on projects do not need to select a building before evaluating the site and determining which restroom system will work best.
Capacity should reflect real use
A park located in a tranquil neighborhood or a sports facility in the region don’t share the same types of patrons. The demand for peak hours is vital. A facility that feels adequate on an ordinary Tuesday afternoon can face different conditions during a Saturday tournament, festival, or any other type of community event.
A plan for actual use can help owners plan for restroom capacities layout, layout, fixtures maintenance access, and other operational needs prior to when construction even begins.
For companies looking to construct the possibility of prefabricated parks restrooms the flexibility is beneficial since the structure can be constructed to fit the needs of the project instead of forcing the building to fit the predetermined design.
The Architecture Conversation is Still Relevant to Us
Functionality doesn’t mean appearance has to be overlooked. A restroom is a visible element of the public landscape. Roof forms, siding, fixtures, colors, masonry as well as other architectural features can help it relate to nearby pavilions, concession buildings and natural surroundings or a well-established design theme for the community.
Romtec’s custom approach allows project teams to blend different designs, materials, colors and exterior styles instead of being restricted to one uniform appearance.
Design to be a Place not just the purpose
Romtec works with park managers as well as landscape architects and contractors to plan the, supply, and build restroom buildings as well as other public buildings. Its expertise is in documenting the construction process, code issues, ADA issues, engineering and construction, as well as the selection of materials and construction in the United States.
The key starting point is, however, surprisingly easy. Do not begin by asking about the restroom facilities you could put on the spot. First, you must understand what’s already taking place on the location that includes activities, people and infrastructure. Make the design suitable for this location.