Platt/Whitelaw is Architect-of-Record for Many of Mission Bay’s Most-Visited Buildings
On average, humans spend up to three years in the bathroom over their lifetimes. Chances are, you visit the bathroom six to eight times a day.
With the pun very much intended, isn’t it a relief to know there’s one nearby?
If you’re in Mission Bay, there certainly is one — or a whole lot more — nearby. And you’re welcome for that. We’re confident to say we wear the architecture firm crown in Mission Bay thrones.
Can an architecture firm really tout itself as a top civic design firm without having serious cred in public restroom design? We think not.
Our Work
Allow us to submit to you not one, not two, but eight public comfort stations in Mission Bay for which Platt/Whitelaw Architects provided architectural services.
They are, in relative chronological order:
- North Crown Point Comfort Station
- Santa Clara Point Rec Center bathrooms
- Tecolote Shores Comfort Station
- De Anza Cove Comfort Station (with KTU+A as prime consultant)
- Santa Clara Point Comfort Station (and playground)
- Sunset Point Comfort Station
- Hospitality Point Comfort Station
- Mission Bay Athletic Area Comfort Station (and concessions)
Through a mix of new construction, remodel and pre-manufactured replacements, we’ve helped provide swimmers, surfers, paddle boarders, dog walkers, bike riders, sunbathers and others the essential accommodations they need while enjoying the Mission Beach and Bay area.
Specific Requirements
It’s not all sunshine, warm breezes and a walk in the park, though. These comfort stations need to be tough!
The City of San Diego has a lot of design guidelines for the buildings. They must be low maintenance, highly durable, safe, accessible and vandal resistant.
The current stock of comfort stations in this area is a mix of types and styles, but the city is moving toward a model of gender-neutral, individual toilet rooms with sinks on the outside of the building. Patrons at Tecolote Shores will see this new model.
Being within five miles of sea air, metal material in any of these comfort stations must be coated appropriately for durability. Concrete floors help fight erosion from sandy shoes and feet. Natural (stack or cross) ventilation keeps the buildings comfortable, even on hot days.
When possible, we orient the comfort stations based upon air flow, nearby foot-traffic flow and so the doors are visible to passing safety patrols.
Wait, There’s More!
It’s hard to overshadow our decades-long legacy of Mission Bay/Beach bathrooms, but we’re proud to have an even bigger footprint in this sand. We’ve also worked on the Fiesta Island Master Plan with KTU+A; a master plan for a lifeguard headquarters on Hospitality Point; ADA upgrades at Santa Clara Point Recreation Center; and design for the Associated Students of San Diego State University and UCSD Recreation’s Mission Bay Aquatic Center.
Consisting of over 4,235 acres of land and water, Mission Bay Park is the largest aquatic park of its kind in the country. The adjacent Mission Beach is one of San Diego’s most iconic beaches. We are grateful to have the opportunity to help people appreciate these coastline gems, whether it’s from the bird’s eye view of a master plan or just a convenient place to “go.”