In the annals of jobsite productivity, the portable restroom—better known as a porta potty or Porta John—has played a prominent, if underappreciated, role.
Dating back to the 1940s, these single-occupant restrooms within fiberglass boxes are essential fixtures in construction management. And there have been advances along the way: in 2016, for example, a New York-based supplier named Callahead introduced Waterloo, a self-contained system that Callahead touted as giving users the look, feel, and comfort of a home bathroom.
But portable restrooms can’t always be conveniently placed, especially on high-rise projects where bathroom breaks can be an arduous, time-consuming process.
BUILT TO ACCOMMODATE TIGHT SPACES
Lendlease thinks it’s found a solution to this dilemma with its H3 Wellness Hub, a modular bathroom system whose design optimizes mobility, installation, and maintenance. (The three “H”s stand for hub, health, and hygiene.)
Lendlease invented H3, and has licensed its exclusive manufacturer, B&T Manufacturing in Black Hawk, S.D., to market and sell the units that are 60-1/8 x 49 x 82 inches (length, width, height, outside) and 49 x 44-1/4 x 75 inches (inside). Lendlease started rolling out H3s last November and there are currently eight in the field and 11 more scheduled for delivery within the next month in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Chicago.
B&T is in negotiations with other Porta John suppliers and subcontractors.
The H3s are designed to accommodate tight spaces. They can fit in a construction hoist or be lifted by crane vertically onto a project’s site. Their built-in wheel system can lock in place or be rolled around for versatile positioning.
MULTIPLE HOOKUP OPTIONS
Chemicals aren't needed to clean the interior of H3s, which can by connected to septic tanks or city utilities.
The units provide an enclosed, climate-controlled space that can be connected to standalone septic tanks or directly, on single or multiple floors, to sanitation, fresh water, and electrical utility risers. Conventional cleaning materials can be used, thereby eliminating the need for chemicals that are common in most portable restrooms. (A wall-mounted toilet allows for obstruction-free floor cleaning.)
H3s include HVAC, hot water, natural lighting (via a translucent roof), and porcelain fixtures. UV options are available for germ and bacteria prevention.
Tim Torpey, B&T’s general manager, tells BD+C that his company isn’t sharing pricing information publicly, preferring instead to have customers call and request a price quote. Torpey adds that B&T is offering volume discounts.
The units are designed to make personal hygiene more convenient for jobsite workers.
Related Stories
| Aug 11, 2010
Webcor, Hunt Construction lead the way in mixed-use construction, according to BD+C's Giants 300 report
A ranking of the Top 30 Mixed-Use Contractors based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit http://www.BDCnetwork.com/Giants
| Aug 11, 2010
Construction cost trend remains negative despite August increases, according to AGC
Despite increases in construction costs in August, new figures released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate that prices for the sector remain significantly down from a year ago, the chief economist for the Associated General Contractors of America said today in analyzing the data.
| Aug 11, 2010
Clark Group, Hensel Phelps among nation's largest federal government contractors, according to BD+C's Giants 300 report
A ranking of the Top 40 Federal Government Contractors based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit http://www.BDCnetwork.com/Giants
| Aug 11, 2010
Report: Fraud levels fall for construction industry, but companies still losing $6.4 million on average
The global construction, engineering and infrastructure industry saw a significant decline in fraud activity with companies losing an average of $6.4 million over the last three years, according to the latest edition of the Kroll Annual Global Fraud Report, released today at the Association of Corporate Counsel’s 2009 Annual Meeting in Boston. This new figure represents less than half of last year’s amount of $14.2 million.
| Aug 11, 2010
Oldcastle Precast Building Systems wins PCI 2009 Sustainable Design Award
Oldcastle Precast Building Systems was part of the award winning team behind the affordable housing development Melrose Commons Site 5 situated in the South Bronx. PCI (Precast Concrete Institute) recently selected Melrose 5 for the “2009 PCI Design Award for Best Sustainable Project”.
| Aug 11, 2010
AAMA developing product-based green certification program for fenestration
The American Architectural Manufacturers Association is working on a product-based green certification program for residential and commercial fenestration, the organization announced today. AAMA will use the results of a recent green building survey to help shape the program. Among the survey's findings: 77% of respondents reported a green certification program for fenestration would benefit the product selection process for their company.
| Aug 11, 2010
Jacobs, HDR top BD+C's ranking of the nation's 100 largest institutional building design firms
A ranking of the Top 100 Institutional Design Firms based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit http://www.BDCnetwork.com/Giants
