Lehi Park Bathrooms

At a summer camp deep in the Santa Cruz Mountains, we were asked to design off-grid restrooms that were beautiful, functional, and fire-resistant, all within the budget of a standard wood-framed camp bathroom.

The solution emphasized material honesty and resilience. A central mechanical core made of ground-faced CMU anchors the structure. Around it, stalls and sinks are wrapped in corrugated corten steel, chosen for its durability, natural weathering, and fire resistance. An angled corten roof supports a photovoltaic array and extends outward to shelter the exterior wash areas. Water jet-cut panels display the name of each campsite, serving as wayfinding elements and offering a subtle nod to the surrounding forest.

Every element was selected with intention: performance, sustainability, and simplicity. The buildings operate entirely off-grid, generating their own power through on-site photovoltaics and eliminating reliance on external utilities in this remote setting. Durable, non-combustible materials require no coatings or applied finishes, reducing long-term maintenance, material replacement, and environmental impact over the life of the structures.

In 2020, the CZU Lightning Complex Fire tore through the region, burning over 86,000 acres and destroying nearly 1,500 structures. The camp was devastated. Every building on site was lost – except these two restrooms. Though the fire passed directly over them, they remained untouched and fully functional. Even the toilet paper was still in place.

This project is a model for how thoughtful, low-cost design can meet aesthetic goals while addressing the realities of climate resilience. Built with modest means in a remote location, the structures endure through material integrity, passive strategies, and self-sufficient systems rather than complex infrastructure.

As the camp begins to rebuild, we’ve been invited to design a new campus inspired by this approach including a dining hall and campfire stage. In 2024, we completed two additional restrooms, extending this resilient, low-impact model into a cohesive collection of structures rooted in thoughtful design, environmental stewardship, and long-term fire resilience.