Private restrooms eliminate circulation
square footage (the square footage in multi person restrooms for public
movement within the space) and thus can cost about the same or
less to build as multi person styles. Private restroom doors
typically open onto a main corridor without need for this circulation square
footage.
Design private restrooms with the minimum amount
of space. Even ones that are accessible
only require wheelchair access into the room, wheelchair rotation and access to
the sink. A minimum 8' long
by 5' wide could suffice for either accessible or standard private restrooms.
Walk into any multi person restroom, count up
the number of fixtures and figure an 8’ X 5’ private restroom for each fixture. Compare this to the size of the mulit person restroom
with all of its circulation square footage.
Square footage savings can be as high as 30% to 50% for larger restrooms
by designing private restrooms instead.
Cluster private restrooms along a main corridor
wall with self closing doors to maintain the aesthetic integrity of the
space. Specify visual occupied/unoccupied door locks allowing people to
see which restrooms are available.
With private restrooms, employee and customer
satisfaction will increase leading to better productivity and increased
sales. Buildings become user friendly, inviting, more in demand and an
environment people can function in.**
Seven percent of Americans is the
population of New York State. Paruresis is extremely common. Design private restrooms in all future projects.
This is the future of restroom design.
* www.paruresis.org
** The American's With Disabilities Act (ADA)
Section 302. PROHIBITION OF DISCRIMINATION BY PUBLIC
ACCOMMODATIONS: "(a) General Rule.--No individual shall be
discriminated against on the basis of disability in the full and equal
enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or
accommodations of any place of public accommodation by any person who owns, leases
(or leases to), or operates a place of public accommodation." ADA also states that a person is "considered to have a
disability if he or she has a physical or mental impairment that
substantially limits one or more major life activities."