Over 20 cities spanning across two countries have adopted the Portland Loo to solve their public restroom needs. Many cities have even doubled or tripled-down by ordering multiple Loos. What started out as a local project has quickly taken the world by storm with no signs of slowing down.
Public restrooms are nothing new, so what makes the Loo so popular? Well, a lot actually! Here, we’re going to take a look at why the Portland Loo has become an international phenomenon to encourage city officials, public planners, and active citizens to bring this modern solution to their cities.
The Loo has the backing of an entire city.
It’s not common to come across a product with a seal of approval from an entire city, especially a toilet! But that’s exactly what Portland Loo has achieved. The Loo’s namesake has been an integral component in propelling it to international stardom.
Portland commissioned Madden Fabrication to design and manufacture a public restroom that would solve some key challenges facing the city including rising homelessness, increasing crime, and a growing population.
The resulting restroom improved on the shortcomings of standard public facilities so much that Portland was happy to slap its name on the front. This relationship with a major US city has provided the Loo with well-deserved validity, encouraging other cities across North America to follow suit.
It’s catered to the city’s needs instead of the user.
The Portland Loo stands out as a superior option to run-of-the-mill public restroom options. Instead of designing a better version of the standard facility, Madden Fabrication and the City of Portland reimagined what a public toilet should look like.
While other restrooms cater to the comforts of the user, the Loo is designed for the needs of the city. It might sound counter-intuitive, but it’s the austerity and raw functionality of the Loo that makes it such a perfect option for cities across the US and abroad.
Unfortunately, comfortable and cozy restrooms invite misuse through vandalism, loitering, drug use, and other issues cities want to keep out of their facilities. The Portland Loo’s barebones, efficient, and durable design gives users everything they need to “go” in public with dignity and privacy without becoming a haven for seedy behavior.
It’s built to last through decades of use.
While traditional brick-and-mortar restrooms have a lifespan of just a few years, the Portland Loo can easily last for 100+ years. And no, we’re not exaggerating! This ultra-durability and longevity makes it a no-brainer for city councils and citizens in all corners of the world that want an investment in public restrooms to pay off far into the future.
How does the Portland Loo last so long? First and foremost, it’s primarily designed with heavy gauge stainless steel which is one of the strongest materials on the planet. This durable metal is resistant to weather, corrosion, and even graffiti. The Loo’s modular design is another major contributor to its long lifespan. If a part does become damaged, it’s quick and easy to replace without having to get an entirely new restroom. And since most Loo parts are commonly found, repairs are more affordable for cities too!
Cities get different designs to meet their demands.
The Loo might feature Portland’s name but this dynamic and customizable public restroom can be personalized to meet the specific needs of any city. To show the broad range of problems the Loo can solve, here are some reasons different cities adopted the Loo.
- City of Terrace, Canada – Used the Loo to combat issues of public urination and defecation
- Charleston, SC – Wanted to reduce crime while offering an extra place for people to use the restroom
- Nelson, Canada – Needed to take the burden of offering restrooms off of local businesses to serve locals and visitors
- San Antonio, TX – Wanted to decrease the amount of public urination to reduce police efforts in the matter while keeping streets clean
- Miami, FL – Sought to give residents a dignified and safe place to use the restroom
As you can see, cities all across the US and Canada have been able to solve specific problems with the power of the Loo.
Bring a Loo (or Two) to Your City
Interested in bringing the Portland Loo to your city? You’re in the right place! Feel free to contact us for more specific details and pricing information.
