Enigma Square, Milton Keynes - Grainger plc

Project:                     Enigma Square, Milton Keynes       
Sector:                      Build-to-rent     
Client:                       Grainger plc     
Main Contractor:      Bowmer and Kirkland     
Architect:                  Pick Everard      
Pod Type:                 Steel-framed bath and shower pods      
Number of pods:      327       

The Project

Enigma Square is a £64m build-to-rent development in the centre of Milton Keynes for Grainger plc, the UK’s largest listed residential landlord.

Developed by Peveril Securities with Mayforth and built by main contractor Bowmer and Kirkland, the project has provided 261 purpose-designed homes for rent on a site historically occupied by the YMCA.

Designed by Pick Everard, the scheme comprises two eight-storey blocks which accommodate a mix of studios, one and two-bedroom apartments, and three-bedroom duplexes. Facilities include resident amenity areas, communal garden, and private balconies.

The Bathroom Pod Solution

The £1.6m contract to supply 327 bathroom pods was awarded to Offsite Solutions.

Fully tiled, fitted and finished in the factory, the steel-framed bathroom and shower pods for the Enigma Square project have pebble grey porcelain wall tiles, and ivory ceramic floor tiles, a bespoke solid surface vanity shelf, two-door mirrored cabinet, a square wall-mounted wash hand basin, heated ladder towel rail, and a glass pivot shower screen for the bathrooms.

The ensuite shower rooms have a bi-fold shower door, thermostatic shower and sliding shower head.

The pods were craned onto each level as the building structure was erected.

The Customer Perspective

Wayne Catterall, Project Manager, Bowmer and Kirkland:

“Pods are a brilliant solution, which avoids the need to distribute multiple bathroom products and materials across eight floors. The bathrooms only need to be moved once into their final position. This is far easier to manage, avoids any risk of damage, and delays to the bathroom fitout programme are highly unlikely because of the greater certainty of factory production.”

“We visited the Offsite Solutions factory as part of the design development process. Their operations are well organised, and we were able to inspect the first pod with the client, prior to starting deliveries to site, which was beneficial.”

The Benefits of Steel-framed Bathroom Pods

Steel-framed bathroom pods give developers the benefit of a premium aesthetic with traditional porcelain tiling and exceptional design flexibility and detailing for large-scale residential developments for rent and market sale. The walls and floors in the wet area are fully tanked for long-term durability, and a composite ceiling panel in a matt finish provides an enhanced appearance that is also low maintenance.

Images courtesy of Bowmer + Kirkland