The commons features a rather interestingly small bathroom, considering its status as the primary on-campus dining hall. The ceilings are particularly low, which is not a problem for a person of short stature such as myself, but obviously is a major disadvantage for the tall folks among us. This bathroom features 3 stalls, all handicap accessible, and 3 urinals as well.
Taken 2003-12-03 11:44:16
Posted 2008-01-06 15:53:13
The urinals feature individual privacy walls, and have manual flushing mechanisms. The tiny floor tiles are perhaps one of the biggest issues with this bathroom. The plain matte finish seems to mix poorly with the vibrant glossy wall tiles.
Taken 2003-12-03 11:44:25
Posted 2008-01-06 15:53:25
This bathroom also features antibacterial foam dispensers instead of standard soap dispensers. Also, the sinks are motion activated, so as to not waste water and to improve sanitary conditions. The paper towel dispensers are always adequately stocked but the refuse bin is often overstocked.
Taken 2003-12-03 11:44:42
Posted 2008-01-06 15:53:37
The Sage laboratory is one of the older buildings on campus, and its bathrooms suggest this very strongly. Immediately note the old look of the tile floor and the toilets that hang on the wall.
Taken 2003-12-04 12:58:46
Posted 2008-01-06 15:59:10
Next, notice that the heat in this bathroom is provided by a very old radiator. And the huge window that looks into the bathroom? Quite strange if you ask me. Most bathrooms today are not designed with gigantic windows inside them.
Taken 2003-12-04 12:58:58
Posted 2008-01-06 15:59:23
A look at the urinals also suggests that this bathroom is quite old. These urinals are fairly low to the ground and have very large bowls. This is consistent with design of bathrooms in the 40s and 50s.
Taken 2003-12-04 12:59:40
Posted 2008-01-06 15:59:33
The mirrors have a slightly downward tilt, which I find to be quite peculiar. This bathroom also has lever operated valves on its sinks, which I prefer to the knob valves in most other on-campus bathrooms. I do not particularly like this bathroom, as it has lived beyond its usefulness.
Taken 2003-12-04 13:00:01
Posted 2008-01-06 15:59:55
Originally built in 1933, the Voorhees Computing Center originally housed the religious services offered at RPI. In 1958, Rensselaer acquired the property and renovated the classic gothic structure to serve as a library. Then, in 1979, Alan M. Voorhees donated $3.4M to fund the renovation that turned the VCC into what we know is as today -- one of the most unique looking computer centers in the world. The bathrooms in the VCC do not match the gothic decor that adorns the rest of the building.
Taken 2003-12-09 21:07:03
Posted 2008-01-06 16:06:29
The original architecture still shows though, as we can see that the urinals awkwardly straddle a support beam. This is actually quite interesting though, because the beam serves not only to support the structure above, but also provides privacy to those urinating in this otherwise serene bathroom.
Taken 2003-12-09 21:07:09
Posted 2008-01-06 16:07:02
There are of course some other things that I like about this bathroom -- note that there are two paper towel dispensers, which is far more than adequate for a bathroom this size (two urinals, two toilets, two sinks). Also, each paper towel dispenser's functionality is supported by dual wastepaper baskets, conveniently located underneath the dispensers. But finally, my favorite part of this bathroom -- the coathooks located on the reverse side of the door, in case you need to hang up your jacket while you use either paper towel dispenser!
Taken 2003-12-09 21:07:18
Posted 2008-01-06 16:07:44
The first floor of the DCC is rather strange for a few reasons. Few classes are held on this floor, and the only 'high traffic' areas here are WRPI, located very close to this bathroom, and the DotCIO offices that are down the hall. Otherwise, the first floor of the DCC is rather dead. This is why I am surprised that 3 urinals and 3 toilets were put in place to support the defecatory functions of those working on this floor. It seems to be overkill.
Taken 2003-12-11 16:12:21
Posted 2008-01-06 16:09:43
This bathroom also sports the same orange-topped garbage can that other bathrooms in this building have, as well as another non-functional wall mounted paper towel dispenser. At some point in the past, RPI decided to switch away from the flat-paper dispensers (such as the metallic dispenser seen here) and switch to the roll dispensers (such as the black dispenser seen here).
Taken 2003-12-11 16:13:01
Posted 2008-01-06 16:10:21
One thing that makes up for the peculiarity of this bathroom is the brand new toilet paper dispenser seen here. RPI truly is advancing bathroom technology, and I salute their dedication to that initiative!
Taken 2003-12-11 16:13:13
Posted 2008-01-06 16:10:55
CII 2nd Floor Men's - Entering this mysterious and under-used bathroom in the Low building, near the DCC's "spiral stairs", we immediately notice some signs of neglect in this bathroom: let's start with the paper towel dispenser which has been tagged with sticker-fiti (sticker-graffiti). Notice also the soap dispenser which has been broken off the wall and laid to rest. Someone should have addressed this already -- people need soap to wash their hands properly. This bathroom is not off to a good start.
Taken 2004-01-14 15:23:41
Posted 2008-01-12 14:13:41
CII 2nd Floor Men's - One redeeming feature of this bathroom is the "kiddy urinal", which is located far lower than is necessary at an institute such as RPI, whose primary bathroom users will be adults. Still, the accesibility of this bathroom is nice as not only are the toilets handicap-ready, the urinals are midget-ready.
Taken 2004-01-14 15:23:48
Posted 2008-01-12 14:14:26
CII 2nd Floor Men's - This picture highlights three issues with this bathroom: (1) the inadequate ventilation, (2) inadequate fire suppression (sprinkler) equipment, and (3) a strangely placed GFCI outlet above the mirror. The tiny vent is for a tiny room, and also the outlet is placed somewhere that makes it almost useless.
Taken 2004-01-14 15:23:55
Posted 2008-01-12 14:15:25
CII 2nd Floor Men's - Again, the bathroom's condition tells us volumes about the neglect which it has almost certainly suffered. Perhaps this bathroom's neglect is part of a destructive cycle, such that the bathroom is unused because of it's condition, and uncleaned because it's used less. On the other hand, it's still being used, and just maintained far less than more popular bathrooms.
Taken 2004-01-14 15:24:07
Posted 2008-01-12 14:16:19
CII 2nd Floor Men's - A close up of the sticker-fiti for the curious bathroom explorers.
Taken 2004-01-14 15:25:02
Posted 2008-01-12 14:25:25
Sage Building 2nd Floor Women's Room tampon dispenser and overflowing garbage can.
Taken 2004-01-19 15:38:24
Posted 2007-06-21 19:28:09
Although this photo was taken in the bathroom of the cinema at Crossgates Mall, it provides a frame of reference for the architectural style and prior art for public facilities in upstate New York.
Taken 2004-02-06 20:11:42
Posted 2008-04-21 16:15:38
A view of the sinks opposite the last photo in the Crossgates mall cinema
Taken 2004-02-06 20:11:50
Posted 2008-04-21 16:16:19
