To meet aggressive timelines and reduce on-site congestion, the college partnered with DPR Construction and SurePods to incorporate 166 prefabricated bathroom pods, including ADA-compliant units. Manufactured in Phoenix, these pods required approval from California’s Division of the State Architect (DSA), which imposed strict quality assurance and seismic compliance standards. SurePods responded with an 18-checkpoint QA/QC process, daily inspections by a DPOR-hired inspector, and final on-site anchorage testing. DSA’s confidence in the system allowed for streamlined documentation and third-party audits, reflecting the rigor and reliability of the prefab strategy.
The team collaborated with DSA to develop alternative inspection solutions, including periodic inspections by a Phoenix-based firm under California oversight. A joint site visit with Sierra College and inspection representatives confirmed the feasibility of this approach. During design development, architects, engineers, and trades coordinated virtually to model each pod layout ranging from toilet-only units to full bathrooms ensuring clash-free integration with building systems. Off-site fabrication of vertical waste and vent stacks further streamlined the process, helping maintain schedule integrity and enabling timely inspections.
Despite the fast pace, the team accommodated custom features like a concealed door threshold and ensured future ADA adaptability by embedding precise fixture measurements into QC forms. Prefab pods reduced build time by three weeks per floor, minimized coordination conflicts, and lowered labor demands. For Sierra College, the approach meant less campus disruption, improved safety, and alignment with sustainability goals through waste reduction and material efficiency. Unique design challenges, such as placing pods against existing corridor walls while preserving seismic air gaps, were solved with innovative framing and plumbing solutions. The project’s success underscores the importance of early coordination and thoughtful customization in delivering high-quality, compliant prefab construction.
To learn more about this project, check out Prefab Assembled Outside California: A Case Study in Quality and Compliance
