Pause- Restrooms

by Ar. Rohan Chavan

Programme: Restrooms and Convenience Centre | Location: Bombay-Goa Highway

Site area: 230 sq.m | Built Up area: 152 sq.m 

Who among us hasn’t felt horrified by the thought of using a public toilet? Or the lack of one during long road trips? 

India’s trade and transportation rely heavily on trucks and truck drivers, a profession that has seen a rapid decline in numbers due to negligible amenities and excessive responsibilities. At present, truck drivers have little to no restrooms or pit stops during long-distance journeys.

Pause isn’t just a public toilet. It is a campus that hosts an array of facilities that serve long-distance truck drivers. The cluster has several access points, defining separate facilities for separate user groups. The main entry focuses on a verandah niche for women, senior citizens, and the differently-abled so that one does not have to go deep into the complex to access the facilities. The women’s section has 4 toilet cubicles, a nursing station, a sanitary napkin vending machine, and washbasins.

On the right-hand side is a passage leading to the men’s zone, with a washbasin area, 4 toilet cubicles, and 8 urinals – out of which one is designed for kids. 

In the center of the front façade is the Suvidha Kendra for truck drivers (convenience center) that has banking and transaction facilities. The entry to the truck drivers section is to the extreme left that has amenities like a tuck shop, a hair cutting salon, two Indian-style toilets, a pantry, and a designated space for washing and drying clothes. All these amenities are arranged around an open pavilion that is a recreational space for resting and entertainment.