Urban Areas

Balancing function, aesthetics, compliance and anti-vandalism in urban areas

Urban area toilet buildings bring unique design challenges

Designers face unique challenges developing toilet facilities for urban areas — creating functional, attractive, and durable toilet facilities requires a delicate balance of practical considerations and creative solutions.

Urban environment projects regularly face local government regulatory requirements. These may include incorporating public artwork or meeting specific procurement criteria.

Aesthetics are typically important. Such facilities must harmonise with the surrounding architecture and enhance the urban landscape. This often requires a modern design to ensure facilities blend with contemporary cityscapes.

However, urban environments present a higher risk of anti-social behaviour and attract individuals who engage in vandalism and maliciously damage facilities. Addressing this requires thoughtful planning.

Longevity and maintenance present another challenge: urban facilities typically experience high foot traffic and that subjects them to greater wear and tear. Addressing this, to minimise both maintenance and life cycle costs, demands careful consideration of construction methods and materials.

Key considerations for success

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

One is the use of stainless steel mini-orb internals. These (or aluminium composite materials) provide excellent impact resistance and are difficult to dent. Plus, the ribbed profile discourages graffiti and facilitates easier cleaning.

Proper lighting also plays a significant role in deterring vandalism. Well-lit areas discourage such activities. For added security, consider CCTV.

To simplify maintenance and cleaning, incorporate gaps under the walls. High-quality, durable stainless steel fixtures and doors provide increased impact resistance and greater cleanliness.

Prioritise modern styling and aesthetics. Give attention to the surrounding architecture and color themes. Colors such as greys, charcoal, and black often fit urban environments. Timber-look aluminium is also a popular option.

To meet procurement requirements and enhance visual appeal, designers may incorporate artwork or graphics on panels and verandah column designs. These aesthetic elements can also serve to deter graffiti, as vandals are less likely to deface attractive graphics, especially in areas like skateparks.

By incorporating these factors and features, designers can create toilet facilities that are not only functional and durable but also visually appealing and well-suited to urban environments.