Are Open Concept Restrooms Next?

Most of us are familiar with the term “open concept.” Applied to pre-existing homes, for instance, it means knocking down walls between different rooms, taking two or three rooms, and turning them into one large space.

The different spaces may still be used as originally designed; it’s just that there are now no walls dividing them.

As the managers of commercial office space struggle to attract new tenants, they are also looking for new ways to make their restrooms more inviting. They want to go beyond a typical renovation. This means the restroom looks like it did before, but just with new fixtures.

Now managers want to go further, and many are considering using the open space concept in their commercial restrooms. Doing so will make the restroom more welcoming and comfortable and improve traffic and airflow, so it has a fresh, clean feel.

And one more thing. Open-space restrooms are easier to clean. Making the restroom more accessible and faster to clean keeps them healthier and can cut cleaning costs.

So, how do we create an open-concept restroom? Here are some of the key steps: ?

• Work with a designer or contractor knowledgeable about open-concept restroom designs. You also want someone who can think creatively and reimagine your restrooms.
• ?While you do not necessarily need to knock down walls or partitions or move things around drastically, you should be willing to consider it. When re-imaging a space, even a commercial restroom, it’s better to start fresh with all walls and barriers eliminated.
• ?Look for ways to maximize every inch of the restroom. One way to do this is to determine if the same number of fixtures – toilets and urinals – are needed. With fewer tenants, a men’s restroom that previously had four toilets and six urinals, for example, may get by quite comfortably with just two toilets and four urinals.??Note:?Most toilet stalls are two feet wide and eight feet long. So, if local plumbing codes allow, eliminating two toilets can free up sixty-four square feet. Further, and once again, if local plumbing codes allow, eliminating two urinals can free up forty-eight feet.
• ?When it comes to the actual open concept design, what works for many commercial restrooms, and one that can make a dramatic difference in your restroom, is to have two sets of sinks facing each other, but several feet apart. This keeps the same number of sinks available. But the open space between them makes users feel more comfortable, having more privacy. It’s also a clever idea to use wall-to-wall mirrors in this area. That makes it feel even larger.
• ?Behind one row of sinks is where a walkway of toilets and urinals should be installed. Make the walkway as wide as possible. Most gentlemen now prefer walls and doors covering each toilet, eliminating partitions. Urinals should have a small partition between them.??
• ?Pay special attention to the types of restroom fixtures selected. This is true if this restroom renovation is a?facelift?or an open-concept re-redesign. If the toilets are more than five years old, newer toilets that use water much more efficiently must be installed.

Further, because of drought conditions, water shortages, and escalating water utility charges, installing no-water urinals has evolved from a consideration - to an essential.

• ??Finally, open-concept spaces are very dependent on proper lighting. Incandescent bulbs are out; LED bulbs are in. They use far less energy and last longer. However, we do not want bright lights. Instead, we want ambient lighting. This is softer lighting. It should provide restroom users with enough brightness for restroom tasks but not so bright that it makes them feel like spotlights are on them.

Klaus Reichardt is CEO and founder of Waterless Co, Inc, pioneers in advancing water efficiency. ?Reichardt founded the company in 1991 with the goal of establishing a new market segment in the plumbing fixture industry with water efficiency in mind. Reichardt is a frequent writer and presenter, discussing water conservation issues.?He can be reached at [email protected] .