Picture two public restrooms. One is located near a bustling community playground and sports facility. One is a trailhead located in a rural area with wide open spaces.

Both provide the same basic service. However, if you create them in identical designs, they would not perform in the same manner.

The best public restrooms start at the site. Who will be using the facilities? How many people can arrive simultaneously? What is the service offered? How far do visitors need to take a walk? What kind of architecture is surrounding the structure?

Image credit: romtec.com

These answers will impact the majority of decisions that follow.

You can start by studying how users use the site.

Placement of toilets shouldn’t be considered as an independent thing from the rest and style of the park. In a sports facility people can be in large groups around sporting events and games. It is crucial that a restroom for an area for play be situated in a location that is convenient that is accessible to families, as well as fit safely into the circulation of pedestrians. In a downtown setting, sidewalk restrooms may have to work within a tighter footprint and complement nearby streetscape features.

The structure is just one part of the overall experience. Location is affected by the surrounding environment and accessibility, as well as pathways and activities.

Remote sites can cause a new issue

The project should be moved away from the road and utilities infrastructure. The traditional sewer line may not be accessible in a scenic spot or in remote recreation areas such as trailheads, campgrounds or in other locations. Vault toilets are a solution that is suitable for locations where traditional plumbing infrastructure is difficult, or impossible.

The design conversation is now distinct. Project teams don’t have to pick a location prior to taking a look at the location and deciding which restroom system will work most effectively.

Capacity should reflect the actual use

The patterns of visitors to the quiet neighborhood park as well as regional sports facilities are different. It is important to consider peak demand. An event that seems to be a success in a typical Tuesday afternoon may face different conditions on a Saturday festival, tournament, or other event for the community.

Planning around actual use helps owners to think about bathroom capacities layout, layout, fixtures maintenance access, and other operational needs prior to when construction even begins.

Flexible prefabricated restrooms can be an invaluable resource for companies looking into their options. This is because they can be built to suit the demands of the project, rather than putting the location into a prefabricated model.

The Architecture Conversation Still Belongs to Us

The function doesn’t mean that appearance must be overlooked. The bathroom is a crucial component of the public landscape. Roof shapes, siding colours, masonry, fixtures and other architectural elements may help in connecting it to nearby pavilions, concession buildings and natural surroundings or a well-established design theme for the community.

Romtec’s custom approach allows teams to use various colors, materials and shapes, as well as exterior designs, instead of being limited to the standard appearance.

Designing for the Environment, not just the Purpose

Romtec cooperates with park managers and contractors to install and provide restrooms as well as other public buildings. Its expertise extends to documents for building construction and code requirements, ADA considerations as well as design, engineering, selection of components and construction across the United States.

It’s amazing how easy the initial point of departure remains. Do not begin by asking about the restroom facilities you could put on the property. Start by understanding what is taking place on the site which includes people, activities and infrastructure. Design the structure that fits in with the existing structures.