As the demand for high-quality, efficient and sustainable building solutions continues to rise, the construction industry is turning to innovative methods to meet these needs.
The practice of building a bathroom off-site is an approach that has grown in popularity for these very reasons.
Here at Interpod, we are reshaping the construction project landscape one bathroom pod at a time. But what exactly is the process of pod building?
From brainstorming and designing to pod installation and connection, each part of the project plays a vital role in bringing these bathrooms to life.
Keep reading to learn more about the 6 key stages of our prefabrication process…
1. Discuss Modular Solutions
The first step is to have a consultation with a potential client to understand their requirements, objectives and constraints.
Our experienced and highly knowledgeable team will work with them to assess the feasibility of their project in terms of its size, compliance, budget and timeframe. By establishing a clear line of communication and fostering a collaborative partnership, we also ensure that the client’s expectations are understood so that they can be met.
We gather essential information and insights that will inform the design and prefab construction methods we’ll take, such as how to integrate the bathroom pods into the overall building structure, floor loading, fixing details, and coordination with other trades.
2. Draft Modular Designs & Prototypes
The second step is the design phase. We prepare detailed and customised designs that take all the requirements previously discussed in the first step into consideration.
These modular pod designs are meticulously crafted whilst also adhering to stringent quality control and regulatory standards.
All drafts are shared with the client so that feedback can be given and changes can be made along the way before we settle on a prototype. This ensures that the final design aligns with the client’s original vision.
Once approved, a complete prototype is built for inspection by all parties (builders, developers, subcontractors etc.) It’s then signed off on and it becomes the standard to which all the other pods are built from.
3. Commence Off-Site Construction
The third step is the most crucial – the actual modular building of the bathroom pods. Our manufacturing facility in Berkeley Vale, NSW becomes a hub of activity as prefabricated construction work gets underway.
Another advantage to modular manufacturing is that it starts earlier than when traditional on-site bathrooms would be built. This is because they are set around a specific final delivery schedule, so any re-dos either in the factory or on-site don’t delay the project as a whole.
Production begins at a rate of up to 9 pods a day and they are monitored for quality and compliance during every stage of the construction process.
Our highly skilled team uses advanced machinery, equipment and techniques to create the pods (starting with frames, panels, walls, floor finishes and the roof, and ending with fixtures and fittings) with precision and consistency.
4. Transport Prefab Pods
The fourth step is when the bathroom units are transported from their factory base to the project site.
We coordinate the logistics of transportation, organising delivery by truck or (if the destination requires a more efficient mode of transport such as rail or boat, that can be arranged).
Each shipment is carefully monitored, and measures are put in place to mitigate any potential challenges that may arise during transit.
The exact date of the move is determined in advance according to the project schedule, but if there are hold-ups, they can be securely stored in the meantime.
5. Start Bathroom Installation
The fifth step occurs once the pods are at the project site. It’s now up to our installation team to ensure the smooth integration of the pods into the larger building structure.
Prior to installation, the construction site needs to be carefully prepared and cleared to accommodate the pods. Installation is then performed by the builders’ site team in under 2 hours, and we provide the specialist training to do so before the bathroom’s arrival.
Following industry best practices and safety protocols, bathroom pods can on average be installed at a rate of up to 10 per day. They can be craned up or carried between levels in hoists, and then wheeled in and lowered into position.
6. Plug In Bathroom Pods
The sixth and final step is connecting the bathroom pod to the rest of the building’s utilities and infrastructure. This includes electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning).
Our installation specialists also execute this process, alongside on-site trades, and quick-fit standard connection fittings are preferred if possible.
Pods are an easy plug-and-play solution, but the completed unit is indistinguishable from a high-end, site-built bathroom.
Contact us about our modular construction processes
