Offsite Solutions delivers over 1,100 bathroom pods for Mace student schemes
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April 25, 2019
Offsite Solutions, the bathroom pod manufacturer, has manufactured and delivered 1,178 bathroom pods for two new student housing schemes developed by Mace. The contracts are worth over £2.6 million to Offsite Solutions.
Construction is nearing completion on the West Wing in Cardiff. Built by Galliford Try, this 10-storey building provides a range of high specification student accommodation as ensuite bedrooms, studios with kitchenettes and penthouse apartments. Offsite Solutions supplied 609 ensuite shower pods for the scheme.
The Depot in Exeter is a mixed-use eight-storey regeneration development set around a central landscaped courtyard and providing student rooms as a mixture of apartments, studio-style living and cluster accommodation. On-site amenities include study spaces, games room, lounge and 20,000 sq ft of retail space for shops, restaurants and bars. Working with main contractor Sir Robert McAlpine, Offsite Solutions has manufactured 569 bathroom pods for this project which were craned into position over a six-month period as the building was constructed.
The Offsite Solutions design team worked closely with Mace to develop a standardised ensuite pod solution which can be used on multiple student schemes. This GRP composite pod which is fully fitted out in the factory, has only left and right-hand variations for maximum efficiency in manufacturing.
Commenting on the project, Oliver Gardiner, development director at Mace, said: “Pods are a brilliant solution for our student projects. As a business we are committed to modern methods of construction, which includes pod technology. Pods give us the benefit of fast and efficient bathroom installation combined with fantastic quality ensuites for an outstanding student living experience.
“The Offsite Solutions team were easy to work with and highly flexible at every stage. As part of the product development process, they manufactured a sample pod for us to experience at first hand which was very beneficial.”
The shower pod developed with Mace features:
• A low maintenance tile-effect finish
• Sliding polished aluminium and glass shower screen
• Wall-mounted dual flush toilet
• Ecotherm thermostatic shower
• Glass shelf to the wash basin and a black opal-effect vanity shelf
• Amtico flooring
• Towel rail, contemporary mixer tap, soap dish and shaver socket.
GRP composite bathroom pods are said to be specified for projects where robustness, longevity and ease of maintenance are primary considerations. These pods are widely used in the student accommodation, affordable housing, military, healthcare and hotel sectors.
Offsite Solutions uses a panelised construction for its GRP bathroom pods, which is said to be unique in the UK. This creates vertical walls and 90° corners for easier integration and the use of standard door sets which removes the need for further work on site. This design reportedly improves aesthetics by avoiding tapered walls which you have with pods created from single GRP moulds. A realistic tile-effect finish and recesses can be incorporated into the design of these bathroom pods for further visual appeal.
