In March 1993 The Colborne Architectural Group was commissioned by the Ministry of Transportation and Highways (MOTH) to develop a public washroom prototype for stand alone, un-serviced locations adjacent to provincial highways. The design was intended to meet new Ministry design objectives for accessibility, dependability and sustainability and was to be dependent on the waterless Clivus Multrum composting toilet system.

The design developed into a 500 sq. ft. one-storey hipped-roof building with separate men's, women's and family / disabled washrooms (6 fixtures, total) and a generous covered porch fronting the parking area. Washrooms sit over the basement composters which are regularly treated with an organic building agent (usually woodchips), small amounts of water supplied by a rain water collection system and constant air flow via exhaust fans. Power to run the fans, water 'misting' system and interior lighting controlled by motion sensors is taken from a combination of propane gas generator and deep cycle Ni-Cad storage batteries supplied from roof-top solar panels. Due to concerns over the availability of regular maintenance and vandalism, the buildings are purposefully constructed of 'tough' materials including standing seam metal roofing, split-face concrete block, stain-finish exposed wood framing and sheathing with durable ceramic tile interior finishes. Facilities were also built on Vancouver Island and South-Eastern B.C. Construction cost, approx. $250K, 1994.