Offsite Solutions, the UK's leading bathroom pod specialist, manufactured more than 1,400 shower pods in contracts worth over £3 million for three student housing schemes developed by Mace.
The Offsite Solutions design team worked closely with Mace to develop a standardised ensuite pod solution for use on multiple student schemes. The GRP composite pods were used for the West Wing in Cardiff, The Depot in Exeter, and most recently, West Way Square in Oxford.
Each pod was fully fitted out and finished in the factory and had only left and right-hand variations for maximum efficiency in offsite manufacturing.
According to Trevor Bonnage, Operations Director at Mace Developments, "Pods are an ideal solution for student schemes to speed up construction and improve quality. A major development for student housing contains an incredible amount of plumbing. To replace the bathrooms with a single 'product' makes much more sense."
"We like Offsite Solutions' products and particularly their GRP pods which have a moulded tile-effect finish. This feature makes a huge difference to the pod aesthetic and avoids any issues with ceramic tiles needing replacement over time. We have to have complete confidence in the quality and water tightness of the bathroom pods. I can report that Offsite Solutions have demonstrated this on all three schemes."
The shower pods developed with Mace feature an attractive, low maintenance tile-effect finish integral to the pod; 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.
Built by SDC Construction, West Way Square in the Botley area of Oxford provides graduate and student accommodation designed around a central public piazza. There are 261 stylish, 32m2 studios, and one and two-bedroom apartments with ensuite shower rooms. Additional facilities include communal spaces for leisure and study, gym, games room, multi-media room and a terrace with lawns.
GRP composite bathroom pods are specified for projects where robustness, longevity and ease of maintenance are primary considerations. These pods are widely used in the student accommodation, build-to-rent, affordable housing, military, hospital, and hotel sectors.
Offsite Solutions is the only pod manufacturer in the UK to use a panelised construction for its GRP bathroom pods. This creates vertical walls and 90° corners for easier integration and the use of standard door sets, removing the need for further work on site. This design also 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.
Offsite Solutions offers the UK's largest range of pods to suit many different building types and applications. Options include steel-framed bathroom pods with porcelain-tiled finishes for high-end apartments, build-to-rent, student residences and hotels; robust and low maintenance GRP composite shower pods for student accommodation, build-to-rent, care homes, social housing, and healthcare; utility pods for residential schemes, and award-winning demountable GRP pods for ease of installation in refurbishment projects.