Perception of building quality can hinge on the restroom. When comparing the square footage of commercial restrooms to the total square footage of a building, the impact of the space far exceeds its relative size. What words come to mind regarding the last commercial restroom visited? Was it dirty or clean? Cramped or comfortable? Outdated or modern? Wasteful or sustainable? Dangerous or safe? Much depends on the features and amenities provided as well as the level of maintenance. The Covid-19 pandemic thrust the safety of restrooms into sharper focus. This course helps architects consider what it takes to create sustainable and safe restrooms, with a focus on hand-washing, without breaking the bank.

Photo courtesy of Excel Dryer

An integrated system with a touchless faucet and hand dryer in one assembly produces no paper waste and minimizes movement around the restroom in a post-pandemic world.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF COMMERCIAL RESTROOMS

Restrooms cannot be an afterthought when designing commercial buildings. While they typically only take up 5 percent of a building's total square footage, they have outsized importance. For instance, according to the American Institute of Cleaning Sciences, they account for:

• 40% of the building's whole soil level.
• 50% of occupant complaints.
• 20% of the total labor budget.¹

The overall mindset around hygiene is changing—making clean public restrooms more important than ever before. Survey experts MetrixLab conducted a survey in the United States over one week in August 2022.¹ The sample included 1,000 respondents, with a mix of adult men and women who had used a public restroom over the past six months.

The survey resulted in several interesting takeaways regarding consumer habits, personal hygiene, and public restroom preferences.

First, nearly 75 percent of consumers wash their hands three to 10 times a day.

• 21% wash hands three to four times a day
• 30% wash hands five to six times per day
• 23% wash hands seven to 10 times a day

Second, the majority of consumers have used a public restroom in the past month.

Third, restaurants are by far the most popular location for using public restrooms.

In a separate study conducted around the same time, MetrixLab gathered data from approximately 350 respondents with a sampling of key stakeholders, including:

• Architects/designers (96)
• Restaurant owners (101)
• Commercial facility managers (156)

When presented with nine restroom features implemented since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, respondents selected increased cleaning protocols and touch-free technology as the biggest changes.

For designers, the focus on commercial restrooms should incorporate occupant safety, sustainability, and savings. This course helps architects consider what it takes to create quality commercial restrooms, with a particular focus on hand-washing, without breaking the bank.

Factors That Impact Commercial Restroom Design

These are the primary considerations that impact commercial restroom design and the questions that should be asked.

Occupants

• How many people will use the restrooms?
• Are there any gender-specific considerations among the anticipated users (i.e., gender-specific dormitories or locker rooms)?
• How will people use the space? Consider the broader context of the area. People use restrooms differently at an airport than at a gym or a school.
• How will accessibility considerations impact the space required, fixture size and height, and accessories (such as grab bars)? While all restrooms must be ADA-compliant, restrooms in a senior living facility will likely require more amenities than those in an office building.

Budget

• What are the initial costs of the restroom? These include materials (building materials, fixtures, and supplies), installation labor, and inspection fees.
• What are the ongoing costs of the restroom? These include maintenance, supplies, and cleaning.

Design Goals

• How do you want people to feel when they enter the space?
• What are the sustainability goals for the building, including third-party certifications, such as LEED, WELL, TRUE Zero Waste, and others?

Maintenance Considerations

• How durable are the fixtures and materials used in the restroom?
• How easy are the fixtures and materials to clean?
• How many required touchpoints are in the space?
• Note: The more touchpoints there are, the more frequent cleaning and disinfection are needed.

Photo courtesy of Excel Dryer

This commercial restroom conveys cleanliness and safety with a row of touchless sink faucets and high-speed, energy-efficient hand dryers.