Imagine two toilets in public. Imagine two public restrooms. One is a trailhead located in a rural location which is surrounded by open space.

Both of them provide the same fundamental service, but treating them as identical buildings does not consider the way in which different sites perform.

Good public restroom facilities begin at the site. Who will use it? How many people may arrive at once? What is the service offered? How far should visitors walk? What is the architecture that surrounds the structure?

Image credit: romtec.com

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

Start With How People Move through the Site

Toilets’ location shouldn’t be thought of separately from the rest and design of parks. In a sports complex massive crowds could gather around events and games. The location of restrooms near a playground has to be convenient for families, as well as safe 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 is just one aspect of the experience. Location is influenced by surrounding area and accessibility, as well as pathways and other activities.

Remote sites create a different issue

It is now time to move the project from established roads and utility infrastructure. The sewer system of the conventional type may not be available at a scenic viewpoint or in an isolated recreation area such as trailheads, campgrounds or any other area. Vault toilets are a viable option that is suitable for areas where plumbing infrastructure is difficult or impossible.

This shifts the way we talk about design. Instead of selecting a building the project team should look at the existing conditions on the site to determine which restroom system is best for that location.

Capacity should reflect the actual use

A quiet park in the neighborhood and a regional sports facility aren’t the same for visitor patterns. Demand for peak times is crucial. A facility that is deemed adequate on a normal Tuesday afternoon may face different conditions on a Saturday festival, event, or other community event.

Owners are able to plan their project around the use of the bathroom, based on its capacity, layout and fixtures, and maintenance access.

If you are a company looking at prefabricated park restroom buildings, flexibility can be particularly advantageous since the building can be arranged to suit the project’s requirements instead of forcing the site to accommodate the model of a certain size.

The Architecture Conversation Still Belongs to Us

The design of a bathroom is vital, but it shouldn’t be ignored since its function is more crucial. A public restroom is a part of the landscape. The roof forms, sidings, colors, fixtures, and masonry are used to relate it to the nearby pavilions, concessions buildings, natural surroundings or a common design theme.

Romtec’s customized approach permits teams to utilize various colors, materials and shapes, as well exterior styling, instead of being restricted to a standard appearance.

Design for Place, Not Only for Design for Place.

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

It’s surprising how simple the starting point remains. Start with asking about the restrooms can be built on your site. Learn about the surroundings, people, and activities that already exist. Create the building that fits in with the existing structures.