By Ivo Evers

The first 13 completely prefabricated bathroom “pods” arrived on Monday at the Radisson SAS Hotel construction site in Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth.

It is the first time that this technique has been used in the Eastern Cape, with the construction of the Radisson SAS Hotel, on the corner of 9th Avenue and Marine Drive, being instrumental in developing this new technology in South Africa.

“With the development of Port Elizabeth‘s first five-star hotel since the closure of the Elizabeth Sun Hotel, came a need to source high quality construction finishes,” said Auspex Property spokesman Lin- Maré Reeves-Williams. “In order to achieve five-star quality and fast-track construction, it was decided to incorporate bathroom pods in the 173 rooms.”

She said the concept was used extensively in Europe, and said a German company, Swiftpod South Africa, brought it to South Africa.

“The Rezidor Hotel Group, Europe‘s second largest hotel operator, suggested this concept to the developer, Ben Nyaumwe of Auspex Property, to ensure the quality expected from their brand.”

Reeves-Williams said Swiftpod had set up manufacturing operations in Johannesburg, specifically to manufacture the pods. The pods were fully fitted out in the manufacture stage and installations were tested prior to factory approval and dispatch.

“At the construction site, the workers only need 30 minutes to install a pod in the actual hotel rooms. After that, everything is ready to be used,” she said.

The first 13 pods were hoisted into place by a tower crane and manoeuvred into position by the installation team, prior to the connection of water, sewage, air-conditioning, electrics and ventilation.

Reeves-Williams said benefits included cost savings in construction. “For example, walls are difficult to get straight, but in factory conditions, this is much easier.”

She said the Radisson was also part of a pilot programme, and was currently being audited to become the first Green Star-rated building in the city.

“The overall design incorporates a number of green features to ensure it uses all available technology and resources for an environmentally friendly building.”

Source: The Herald