PLUMBING

 Plumbing functions discreetly to bring in water and remove it when we're done, making it a forgotten asset of our houses. The complex network of pipes and fittings allows us to do things like flush the toilet, take a shower, and get water from the faucet. As interior designers, it is important for us to evaluate the placement of plumbing lines inside a structure because it affects interior design and space planning. We must then come up with a practical, functional, and good design of a space around these fixtures.

There are many kinds of plumbing configurations. First is wetlands. Wetlands can be seen as the water sanitizers found in nature. Wetlands collect water and remove pollutants. Therefore, it provides us clean water from the Earth. A second plumbing system is sewer treatment. Everything that is undesirable is disposed of in the sewer, and after an effective procedure the distasteful elements are eliminated, and the water can be returned to the ecosystem. Lastly, the septic tank is another plumbing system. For households not linked to municipal sewer systems, this functions similarly to a personal waste manager. It is a deep receptacle that holds all of the waste. The liquid portion is discharged into the soil when the solid portion is broken down. The image to the left gives a diagram of the septic tank. 

Several plumbing fixtures work together to create a practical and relaxing area in a residential bathroom. The toilet is the most important fixture; although its main use is obvious, innovations include features like water-saving dual-flush systems. The bathroom sink is another essential fixture because it's where people go to wash their hands, wash their faces, and brush their teeth. Showers offer a refreshing and purifying experience, with a variety of options from simple shower heads to advanced designs that incorporate massaging functions. Although it's not a regular necessity, soaking in the bathtub can be rather soothing, especially after a long day. Bathtubs can be seen placed in their own designated spot or be connected to the shower. Moving on, commercial restroom fixtures accommodate a wider range of purposes and more traffic. In order to facilitate joint usage, many restrooms are typically set up in stalls, with urinals offering extra amenities for male visitors.  Commercial sinks are made to wash hands effectively, and they frequently have sensor-activated faucets to save water and maintain hygiene. In order to ensure inclusion in public areas, business restrooms may also have accessible fittings like grab bars and wider stalls for people with disabilities. 

EXAMPLES OF BATHROOMS

When designing a bathroom it is important to consider functionality and the different layouts that can be used to make a space workable. Additionally, it is important to make the design around the recommended clearance and code required clearance, especially in commercial bathrooms due to ADA accessibility. The image to the right gives a diagram of the different dimensions used in a bathroom. 

The layout of this bathroom is a good example of a functional design and it is well-designed because of how much space is offered in the aisle. The toilet is more hidden for privacy but also has a sink close by for washing hands afterward. The shower is big and the step out from the shower is spacious allowing a lot of room to get out of and walk to the vanity. 

While the bathroom is out of the frame and is placed close to the door, I chose this image because of the separation of the bathtub and shower. This gives the space a more luxurious and expensive look. This design is also very accessible due to the aisle width and how much walking space there is, not to mention the huge counter space. 

Lastly, I chose a commercial bathroom to explore the accessibility within this space. This a very well and practical bathroom because of the space given between sinks and urinals. The width of the aisle is very wide as well offering room for lines, people to walk comfortably, and wheel chair to be able to get around.