Imagine two public toilets. There are two public restrooms. One is a trailhead in a rural area surrounded by wide open spaces.
Both provide the exact service, but designing the same buildings does not consider the way in which different sites work.
The site is a first step to build a quality public bathroom. Who is going to use it? How many persons are permitted to arrive simultaneously? What facilities are available? What distance must visitors travel? What architecture surrounds the building?
Image credit: romtec.com
These questions can affect nearly all subsequent decisions.
It is possible to start by looking at how users navigate around the site
The position of restrooms must not be thought of as an independent thing from the rest of a park. When a facility is a sport, large crowds may gather around events and games. The location of restrooms close to a playground should be easy for families to access, but also 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 is just one aspect of the total experience. Location is affected by the surrounding environment accessibility, access, and the activities.
Remote sites pose a unique problem
Now move the project away from established roads and utility infrastructure. The standard sewer service might not be accessible at a scenic viewpoint or in a remote recreation area such as trailheads, campgrounds or any other area. If used properly vault toilets are an alternative to traditional plumbing infrastructure in areas which are difficult to access or impossible to install.
This alters the design discussion. Rather than selecting a building first, design teams examine the existing conditions on the site and determine which restroom system best fits the space.
Capacity ought to reflect the actual usage
The pattern of visits to the quiet neighborhood park as well as regional sports facilities are different. Peak demand matters. It is not enough to have a facility that is in good shape on an afternoon on Tuesday.
A plan for actual use can help owners consider bathroom capacity layout, layout, fixtures access to maintenance and other operational requirements prior to construction starts.
Flexible prefabricated restroom buildings can be an excellent resource for companies researching their options. This is because they are able to be designed to suit the requirements of the project instead of forcing the place into a model.
Architecture Still Belongs in the conversation
It’s not a requirement that the appearance of a bathroom be overlooked. The bathroom is visible part of a public space. Roof forms, siding colors as well as fixtures, masonry and other architectural elements can aid in establishing a connection with adjacent concession buildings or pavilions as well as the natural surroundings, a well-established design theme, or a community.
Romtec’s custom approach permits teams of project managers to use different material and colors, shapes exterior treatments and forms, as opposed to being limited to one standardized appearance.
Designing for the place, not just the Design for the
Romtec works with park managers as well as landscape architects and contractors to design, supply, and install restroom buildings as well as other public buildings. The company’s experience includes building documentation codes, building documentation, ADA considerations, engineering components, selection of the right component, and construction across the United States.
It’s surprising how easy the beginning point is. Make a decision about the kind of bathroom you would like to build. First, you must understand what’s currently happening on the property which includes people, activities and infrastructure. Develop the building that is right for this location.