restaurant development + design is a user-driven resource for restaurant professionals charged with building new locations and remodeling existing units.
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8 0 • r e s t a u r a n t d e v e l o p m e n t + d e s i g n • N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 5 RESTROOM FIXTURES AND EQUIPMENT R estrooms may occupy a small percentage of foor space, but their ability to impact the total guest experience and leave a lasting impression — good or bad — is powerful. Smart operators and design- ers approach restroom design and layout with that in mind and give restrooms the respect they deserve, from the stand- point of both form and function. Function, of course, is critical and starts with meeting code requirements for the number of fxtures needed based on occupancy and handicap accessibility, dictated by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Beyond those non-negotiable basics, it's all about creating restrooms that are: • Easily accessible but discretely located. • Properly sized to handle anticipated volume. • Easy to maintain and clean. • Thoughtfully designed and equipped for the guest demograph- ic, whether families with kids, professional singles or seniors. • Aesthetically pleasing and consistent with the brand's overall look and feel. While it can be tempting to create restrooms that make a design statement, professionals caution that practicality and performance should take precedence over cool. Tanya Spaulding, principal at Shea, a Minneapolis-based design frm, maintains that durability and cleanliness should be the top priorities when selecting restroom products and fnishes. She often opts for primarily neutral colors and simple, quality fnishes, such as tile on walls, that convey a timeless sense of cleanliness. "If you want to incorporate character or statement aspects, do it in areas that are easy to change out and easy to maintain, such as graphics or artwork," she suggests. Spaulding notes that product innovations over the past few years have made creating smartly designed restrooms easier. 2015 PRODUCT ISSUE Graffti-Resistant Restroom Partitions Metpar's Dur-A-Tex line of restroom partitions features powder-coated, textured steel with a graffti- resistant, clear-coat fnish. Metpar also offers other material options for its restroom partitions, including stainless steel, plastic laminate, phenolic and solid plastic. Designers and operators can choose ceiling- and foor-mounted partitions, and all materials are available with no-sight options for maximum privacy. www.metpar.com Germ-Killing Hand Dryer American Dryer's line of hand dryers now includes ExtremeAir with Cold Plasma Clean (CPC) technology. CPC technology has the power to kill germs, including E. coli, infuenza, staph, MRSA, C. diff and salmo- nella, safely and without the use of chemicals. Features include adjust- able sound and speed and universal voltage. The ExtremeAir is Green Spec listed and will help qualify for LEED credits, according to the manufacturer. www.americandryer.com