Imagine two restrooms for public use. Imagine two restrooms in public. The other has a private trailhead surrounded with open land.

They each provide the same essential service. However, if you design them to be identical structures, they would not function in the exact same way.

The selection of the location is vital to creating good public restrooms. Who will be using the facilities? How many guests are permitted to enter at the same time? What are the available utilities? How far are visitors required to stroll? What is the architectural style that surrounds the building?

Image credit: romtec.com

The answers to these questions will influence most of the decisions that are made.

You can start by studying how users navigate around the site

The placement of restrooms should not be thought of as an independent thing from the other parks. When a facility is a sport, large crowds may be gathered around games and events. The location of restrooms close to a playground should be suitable for families in addition to being secure and accessible to pedestrians. In a downtown setting, sidewalk restrooms may have to work within a tighter footprint and complement nearby streetscape features.

The building itself is not the only thing you experience. The location is influenced by the surrounding environment accessibility, access, and activities.

Remote Sites create a Different Problem

Now move the project away from streets that are paved and utilities infrastructure. The sewer system of the conventional type may not be available at a scenic overlook or in a remote recreation zone, trailheads, campgrounds, or in other locations. If properly used the vault toilets could provide an alternative to the traditional plumbing infrastructure in locations which are either difficult or not practical.

This changes the conversation about design. Instead of choosing a building, project teams should evaluate the existing conditions on the site to determine which bathroom system best suits the location.

Capacity Should Be Reflective of Real Use

A peaceful neighborhood park and local sports facilities don’t experience the same visitor patterns. Peak demand matters. An event that seems to be a success on a normal Tuesday afternoon can face different conditions during a Saturday festival, tournament or other event for the community.

Owners may plan their home around the need for the restroom, considering the capacity, layout, and fixtures, as well as access to maintenance.

For organizations researching facilities for park restrooms that are prefabricated the flexibility is beneficial since the structure can be arranged to suit the requirements of the project rather than forcing the building to fit a predetermined model.

The Architecture Conversation Is Still Participates to Us

The function doesn’t mean that appearance must be overlooked. A public bathroom is a part of the landscape. The form of the roof, sidings, colors, fixtures and masonry could be used to relate it to the nearby pavilions, concessions and natural surroundings, or as a design theme for the community.

Romtec’s individualized approach permits project teams to include different materials and colors, shapes, exterior treatments and shapes, rather than being limited to one standardized appearance.

Designing for the Environment, not just the Theming

Romtec works with park owners as well as landscape architects and contractors to plan and construct restroom buildings as well as other public structures. Its expertise includes documenting the construction process, code issues, ADA issues, engineering, selection of components, as well as construction within the United States.

It is surprising how simple the initial point of departure remains. Do not begin by asking about the restroom building you can build on the site. Learn about what’s taking place on the site such as people, activities and infrastructure. Create the building that fits in with the existing structures.