University of East Anglia

Taplanes were asked by UEA to provide a sample en suite Pod in 2011, as one of three proposed solutions to replace the rapidly deteriorating GRP en suite Pods, installed as part of the original 800 room build at The Village site.

Taplanes designed a prototype to replicate, in size and shape, the existing GRP Pods but crucially the difference was the Taplanes patented weld technology used during manufacture, which ensures a 100% leak free solution. After 4 years of trialling our solution, this early prototype was accepted as the best solution for the refurbishment of all 800 rooms. However as Taplanes product development moves quickly; Dan Wilkinson, the sales engineer working on the project; identified further improvements & enhancements could be made.

In collaboration with the project team at UEA and considering the varying room sizes and layouts of the 800 student rooms; Taplanes designed a bespoke but universal bathroom pod solution for this project. By increasing the length of the pod by 200mm and introducing a unique footprint layout, this en suite pod allowed for better water containment, easier maintenance access to all components and a better overall user experience.

Outcome

500 of the 800 rooms are now complete with a Taplanes ‘Village’ Pod installed; and in demonstrating our ability to maximise the potential of the restrictions of this built environment by providing a unique and precision designed product; Taplanes have earned the opportunity to provide 500 ensuite Pods to the UEA’s next largescale student accommodation/hotel refurb, Broad View Lodge.

A bespoke designed Taplanes en suite bathroom pod is being trialled as a hotel room en suite for this new project and we are set to supply our showering solutions for the start of this project in Summer 2020.

If you would like any further information regarding our products please contact us on 01423 771645 or email enquiries@taplanes.co.uk