Project overview
Project: Fleur-de-Lys, Sandhurst
Sector: Retirement apartments
Client: Renaissance Retirement
Main Contractor: Hackwood
Pod Type: Steel-framed pods for ensuite shower rooms into timber frame
Number of pods: 44
The project
This project for Renaissance Retirement in Sandhurst, Berkshire is one of three luxury retirement developments using Offsite Solutions’ high-specification, factory-built ensuite shower rooms. The scheme provides 42 spacious retirement apartments set within landscaped gardens.
Offsite Solutions has also delivered shower pods for two other Renaissance sites – one in Wimborne, Dorset and another in Crowthorne, Berkshire.
The bathroom pod solution
Offsite Solutions manufactured 44 steel-framed bathroom pods for the Sandhurst development. It is the company’s first timber-framed residential scheme.
Each ensuite is fully fitted offsite to ensure a consistently high level of finish and includes ceramic-tiled walls, walk-in rain dance showers with digitally controlled thermostats, premium sanitaryware and fittings, and a mirrored cabinet.
To integrate seamlessly with the timber-framed structure, the floor cassettes were engineered with recesses to accommodate the pods. This design ensures level access throughout the apartments, while enabling the benefits of off-site manufacturing in a timber frame setting.
The customer perspective
“This is the first time we have used factory-built bathrooms and we have found them to be a brilliant solution. The approach really takes the pain out of bathroom construction. It saves a huge amount of work on site, and we have been able to dispense with several processes.”
“The quality of bathroom pods is superior and more consistent compared to site-based construction – the fitting of pans and basins, for example, is more accurate in a factory environment. The use of pods eliminates at least six different trades and reduces construction time for the bathrooms to just three hours for the service connections – a significant time saving.”
– Graham Snowley, Contracts Manager, Hackwood
“The use of pods gives us certainty in both product quality and completion, and with no compromise on bathroom design and finish.”
“The labour market, particularly for finishing trades, is very challenging for developers and contractors, particularly in the South East. The impact of these market fluctuations is completely removed if bathroom construction is carried out offsite. Offsite Solutions’ factory set up is impressive and their products are manufactured to a high standard.”
– Nick Watkins, Development Director, Renaissance Retirement
Bathroom pods for residential schemes
There is growing demand for bathroom pods in the residential sector – from high-end apartments and mixed-use schemes to social housing and build-to-rent. This shift is driven by a shortage of skilled trades, especially in the South East, challenges with consistent finish quality, and the industry’s struggle with cost overruns and delivery delays.
Offsite manufacturing reduces on-site labour and activities, cutting construction time while improving programme certainty and quality. Waste can be reduced by up to 50% compared to traditional methods. With rigorous testing and strict quality control in a production line environment, pods arrive on site fully finished and ready to install.
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