Coastal and foreshore

Prioritising safety, functionality, aesthetics, and visitor experience.

Coastal and foreshore toilet facilities bring unique design challenges

Coastal locations such as beaches, rivers, and water recreation areas create their own set of unusual challenges for designers of toilet facilities.

First, such facilities are often need to be more extensive than simple toilets. In many instances, they need to be multi-purpose amenities that incorporate changerooms and showers for the benefit of swimmers and others participating in aquatic activities.

They also have their own particular aesthetic requirements which are quite unlike the demands of inner-city and urban environments. The visual look of these facilities need to fit the location.

Finally, waterside locations are a harsh environment. Corrosion is a never-ending threat. For coastal facilities the hazard is increased by the presence of salt. Over time, salty air will ruin infrastructure that is not designed to withstand salt-induced corrosion.

Key considerations for success

Several key features help ensure durability, maximise aesthetics, and improve ease of maintenance.

Any design will probably require integrated showers and change rooms for the comfort of patrons. An essential modern part of this is ensuring such facilities are universal access.

Beach settings typically benefit from a driftwood visual style that employs washed-out light grey coloured timber-look aluminium or modwood.

Coastal amenities regularly pair light grey driftwood colours with white roofs. Some add elements of light blues and yellows. Alternatively, bright colours matched with whites and lighter greys can give a facility a beachside appearance. Riverine environments are not precisely the same: often a park style using green colours and wood-look aluminium is more suitable.

But how do you combat corrosion in a way that minimises maintenance needs while extending the longevity of your facility?

Galvanised steel demands proactive maintenance; timber is subject to vandalism, rotting and splitting. Different polyester powder-coat systems for steel and aluminium last a long time, but the best long-term corrosion resistance performance comes from anodised aluminium.

Modus toilet facilities ideal for coastal and foreshore settings

Yarra

The Yarra Toilet Building distinguishes itself from a standard toilet building with a distinctive skillion style roof line; a versatile design which integrates seamlessly into any environment.

Yarra

Capricorn

A distinctive concave curved roof line and architectural rolled steelwork makes a bold statement. The concave curved roof design provides an ideal catchment area for rainwater for water tank.

Capricorn

Byron

A classic form with a gable roof and trimming that’s designed to fit well in traditional surroundings. The versatile multi-use design can be easily outfitted with showers and changerooms.

Byron

Whitehaven

This multi-amenity design is suitable for many uses, but especially principally for coastal, beach and foreshore applications. The unique flared roof and central gutter works well for water collection.

Whitehaven