Two public restrooms. One is located near a bustling community playground and sports complex. The trailhead is located in a rural location surrounded by wide open spaces.
Both buildings offer the same services but in the event that they were built in the same way, it would be impossible to discern how these locations work.
The best public restrooms start with the location. Who will be using the facility? How many guests are permitted to arrive simultaneously? What facilities are available? How far can visitors expect to stroll? What architectural style is surrounded by the building?
Image credit: romtec.com
These questions can affect almost all of the decisions to come.
Begin with how people move Through the Site
Toilets’ location shouldn’t be viewed separately from the design and other elements of the park. When a facility is a sport the visitors can arrive in large groups around activities and games. The location of the restroom near a play area must be convenient for families, as well as safe and accessible for pedestrians. In a downtown setting, sidewalk restrooms may have to work within a tighter footprint and complement nearby streetscape features.
The building is just one piece of the experience. Entrances, paths, activities, and accessibility all influence how the location of the building works in the real world.
Remote sites create a different issue
The project should be moved further from existing streets and infrastructure. It may be impossible to connect a scenic view or trailhead to an existing sewer system. Vault toilets are a solution that is suitable for locations where traditional plumbing infrastructure is difficult, or impossible.
The design conversation is now completely different. Instead of deciding on a building in the beginning, team members are able to evaluate the site’s conditions and choose which toilet system is appropriate for the site.
Capacity should reflect actual usage
The types of people who visit parks that are quiet and regional sports facilities are different. Peak demand matters. Peak demand is crucial.
Owners are able to plan their project around the needs of the bathroom, based on its capacity, layout and fixtures, and maintenance access.
For those who are looking into facilities for park restrooms that are prefabricated, flexibility can be particularly valuable because the building can be designed to meet the needs of the project instead of forcing the building to fit the model of a certain size.
Even though Architecture is still an integral part of the conversation
The appearance of a restroom is not merely due to its function. The bathroom is visible part of a public landscape. Forms for roofs, siding the colors of masonry, fixtures and other architectural features may help in connecting it to adjacent pavilions, concession structures or natural surroundings. a well-established design theme for the community.
Romtec’s customized approach permits teams to work with different materials, colors and shapes, as well as exterior designs, instead of being restricted to a standard appearance.
Design for Place and Not Only for Function
Romtec works with park operators as well as landscape architects and contractors to design, supply, and install restroom buildings and other public structures. Its expertise is in documenting the construction process, code issues, ADA issues, engineering design, selecting of components and construction in the United States.
It’s surprising how easy the beginning point is. Make a decision about the kind of restroom you want to construct. Begin by studying what is already happening on the site that includes activities, people and infrastructure. Then, design the structure which is a part of it.