Bathroom Pods Become Method of Choice for the Leisure Industry

Managing Director of off site construction specialist Terrapin, looks at the bathroom pod concept and how it is rapidly becoming the installation method of choice within the leisure sector. “Bathroom pods are still seen as a relatively new concept, when, in fact, they have been widely used throughout various sectors, such as hotels, housing and care homes, for many years. The concept is growing in popularity within the leisure sector, which is largely due to the increase in off site construction methods, where the bathroom pod concept originated.

"All the advantages of off site construction are offered in a bathroom pod, with the most obvious benefit being that they can be built off site, saving valuable installation time on site as well as ensuring consistent quality levels. This means that contractors can meet more demanding build schedules and there is less need for skilled labour. The age-old problem of co-ordinating services, such as plumber, electrician, plasterer, tiler, joiner and painter are no longer a problem with bathroom pods, too, as all services are installed and decoration is carried out off site. The beauty is that they really do offer a ‘plug and go’ solution, which simplifies the whole process and removes many of the headaches associated with a traditional build.

"Buying the bathroom pod, which includes all fitments and fittings from one supplier makes the whole process much less complicated for the client, not only when it comes to installation, but also for aftercare. With a traditional build programme, should there be any post-installation issues in the bathroom, there could be numerous different trades that need to be called in. However with the bathroom pod concept, there is just one manufacturer, with the option of ongoing servicing and maintenance contracts to ensure the pod is operating to maximum efficiency.

The leisure sector has responded well to the fact that pods are built within a factory environment, which provides greater assurance of the quality of the construction - particularly where the factory operates to ISO 9001:2000 quality assurance. Using the bathroom pod concept means being able to fulfill the demands for rapid construction, whilst meeting all relevant performance requirements. Often in the leisure sector, the requirement is to provide robust, yet aesthetically pleasing facilities that reflect the overall standard of the premises. Many new builds within the leisure sector are designed to meet BREEAM Excellent or Very Good, it is therefore important that a building ensures selection of sustainable materials from responsible supply partners. For example, the timber that is used for the outer edge and walls is produced from sources with strict reforestation programmes.

"There are also other options that are possible, such as floorless pods or floors with a lightweight concrete design, for areas where ground weighting needs to be kept to a minimum. These types of design are integral to creating lightweight structures that have a lower environmental impact, for example, by making savings on foundation materials. Often customers in the leisure sector require that bathroom pods be compliant with mobility or DDA (Disabled Discriminatory Act) requirements. Again, bathroom pods can be specified to meet this legislation and a range of accessories, such as grab rails and handles can be chosen.

"Whilst there are many standard bathroom pods available from manufacturers in large volumes, few offer the flexibility to offer bespoke options to suit the exact style of particular projects. The flexible approach that we offer makes it appealing to the leisure sector. Often, especially in new builds, the client is looking to create a bathroom that reflects the high standard of the facilities on offer as, in the leisure sector, venues are often judged by the quality of their WC facilities. A flexible approach is therefore essential, so the architect and designer from the off site company can work together to create a bathroom pod that meets their requirements exactly.

"Often in leisure environments, space can be restricted and we can work with the building designer and architect to ensure that available space is maximised. This involves recommending bathroom suites that are more compact, or that make best use of space. This ranges right through to our executive style pods, where the most luxurious bathroom accessories, such as corner baths or Jacuzzis could be specified. We also make it easy to choose from a wide range of accessories, including tiling, renders and finishes to the bathroom pod to meet particular project requirements.

Bathroom pod manufacturers, like Terrapin, also offer CAD design services. This means that often we start with a blank page and work with the client to create either a contemporary or more classic pod design, advising the customers every step of the way. With good value for money being a top priority at the moment, this is again a major benefit of off site construction compared to traditional bathroom installations, especially when you factor in the labour on site. The flexibility of our service means we can produce bathroom pods to suit individual needs, in small numbers or large quantities, with the option of shower, bathroom, cloakroom or wetrooms. Many sectors are also taking the pod concept and asking us to apply it further than the bathroom, to other areas, such as bedrooms, kitchens and to create an office or study, in fact any single room that they require to be replicated.

"Our first major venture in the bathroom pods market was several years ago, when we designed and supplied almost 1,500 for the Colchester Army Barracks. As this was a large volume project, it gave us the expertise and capability to be able to meet the demands for many different types of pod. The bathroom pod today provides a concept that is very much 'of the time', due to the fact that it provides best value, is compatible with rapid construction techniques and removes the burden of co-ordinating trades and skilled labour on site. The end result is pods that don’t look like pods, with bespoke bathrooms produced to specific requirements in the quickest and most efficient way possible, helping the leisure sector to meet its needs for performance, scheduling and cost.”

Bathroom Pods Become Method of Choice for the Leisure Industry

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