Picture two public restrooms. Imagine two restrooms that are public. One is a trailhead in a rural region with wide open spaces.

Both of them provide the same fundamental service, but designing these as identical structures could overlook the differences in how these locations perform.

Image credit: romtec.com

Good public restroom buildings begin at the site. Who will be using the facilities? What is the maximum number of people allowed to use the facility simultaneously? What facilities are available? What distance do visitors have to stroll? What architectural style surrounds the building?

How you answer those questions will influence nearly every decision that follows.

Begin by looking at how people move through the site.

Toilets’ location shouldn’t be taken separately from the rest and style of the park. In a complex for sports massive crowds could be gathered around games and events. The location of restrooms close to a playground should be suitable for families while also being safe and accessible for pedestrians. In urban areas the dimensions of sidewalk restrooms could be smaller and may require a combination with other streetscape features.

The building is just one component of the experience. Access points, routes, activities and accessibility all impact whether its location works in practice.

Remote sites create a new Problem

The project must be relocated away from the developed street and utility infrastructure. The standard sewer service might not be accessible in a scenic spot or in remote recreation areas, trailheads, campgrounds, or in other places. Vault toilets are a viable option which can be utilized in areas where plumbing infrastructure isn’t feasible or impossible.

That changes the design conversation. Instead of selecting a building, project teams should evaluate the conditions of the site to determine what restroom system best suits the location.

Capacity should reflect actual use

A park located in a tranquil area and a sports complex in the region don’t share the same kinds of people who visit. Demand during peak times is important. The peak demand is crucial.

The planning around the actual usage helps owners consider bathroom capacities, layout, fixtures, maintenance access, and other operational requirements prior to construction gets underway.

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 still an integral component of the conversation

It’s not a requirement that the appearance of a bathroom be ignored. A public restroom is a part of the landscape. Forms of roof, siding, colors fixtures, masonry, and other features of architecture can assist in connecting it with adjacent pavilions or concession structures as well as the natural surroundings, an established design theme, or even a neighborhood.

Romtec’s unique approach enables project teams to incorporate different colors and materials, shapes external treatments and forms, as opposed to being limited to a standard appearance.

Design for Place, not Just the Function

Romtec works with park managers as well as landscape architects and contractors to design and construct restroom buildings and other public buildings. Its experience includes building documentation and code requirements, ADA considerations, engineering, component selection, and construction across the United States.

It is surprising how simple the starting point remains. Do not begin by asking about the restroom building you can build on the property. Begin by understanding the people, activities, infrastructure and the surrounding environment there. Design the structure that is right for the location.