| Hermosa Beach is known for its beaches, for surfing, volley ball tournaments, and bars. The City was looking to replace two existing partially subterranean beach restrooms that were in poor condition. The stipulation by City staff and community was that the new facilities could be no higher than the old ones; they could not obstruct the view of any part of the horizon.
The design concept emerged out of the project’s environment—sandy beaches, blue sky, rolling waves, and marine creatures. The concept is carried through color, form, yet the object is subordinate to the surrounding environment.
Project Features:
• Individual stalls: 3 women, 3 men, 1 accessible/family at each site
• Visual access of the stalls for security
• Roof platform to watch volley ball tournaments
• Custom anodized aluminum guardrail supports with stainless steel cables
• Passive lighting through frosted glass blocks on roof
• Vandal-proof interior night lighting through linear fluorescents behind glass block
• Continuous interior plumbing chase
• Passive ventilation through vents cut out of CMU block and undercut doors
• Exterior concrete sinks with automatic sensor
• Stainless steel rinse stations
• Dog drinking fountain
• Terraced seat walls
The approval process included Community meetings, Coastal Commission, Design Review, Planning Commission, and Building and Safety plan check. Based on the Wave Uprush Study requirements, the foundation design was very demanding, consuming hundreds of cubic yards of concrete. Construction was challenged by water seeping through the sand requiring continuous pumping. Dual sewer ejection pumps ensure proper functioning of the subterranean facilities.
The new restrooms opened in March of 2012 and have received positive responses from surfers, cyclists, local beach goers, dog walkers, volleyball players, neighbors, and maintenance personnel.
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