Bunkabin Solves Accommodation Issues for the Royal Navy

MOD Caledonia, the operational base during the construction of the Royal Navy's aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, faced a shortage of beds for the military personnel assigned to this project. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), responsible for site security, mess facilities, recreational areas, and accommodation, determined that an additional 302 beds were needed for sailors.

How Bunkabin Helped

- Supplied 315 units (302 bespoke sleeper units and 13 welfare units)

- Completed the project in four phases

- Installed the units with precision, down to the last millimeter

- Finished two months ahead of schedule and within budget

Our Approach

The Bunkabin team traveled to Rosyth to present our Bespoke Sleeper Unit and layout options to meet the precise needs of the Royal Navy’s officers and ratings. We pitched to a panel that included DIO personnel, Royal Navy representatives, and the main contractor, CarillionAmey.

We were awarded the contract due to our commitment to meeting the Royal Navy’s specific needs, outperforming both international and local competitors. Peter Bush, DIO Head of Establishment, commented on the decision to choose Bunkabin:

"We evaluated several options to address the shortfall, and from both cost and time perspectives, the best solution was to provide self-contained portable cabins. This approach was quicker and more cost-effective than constructing new units from scratch and eliminated the need to rent private accommodations, which would have been more expensive and scattered the crew members. This way, they can all live together, just as they would on board ship."

We approached the new Bespoke Sleeper project with enthusiasm. We prepared the land to ensure electricity, water, and waste management were in place for the low-energy Bunkabin units. Within a few weeks, we began stockpiling the new units at our manufacturing site in Oldham, ready to start Phase 1 in August, which consisted of 36 units.

Because this project was for the Royal Navy, each unit had to be positioned perfectly straight and uniform across the site of 315 units; it was unlike any other job we had undertaken. Each unit required millimeter-level precision—far beyond the typical standards of a construction site or festival, where mere neatness may suffice. The scale of the project brought both excitement and apprehension as we installed the initial units and formed the lines, but as we promised to all our clients, Bunkabin delivers on our commitments.

As the Bespoke Sleepers continued to arrive in phases 2 through 4, we soon found ourselves ahead of schedule. All units were positioned by November 16, and all connections and groundwork were completed by December 2—two months before the February deadline.

The Outcome

We provided the Royal Navy with the necessary 302 rooms to house the additional sailors and officers promptly, along with the 13 welfare units.

Captain Simon Petitt, Senior Naval Officer of HMS Queen Elizabeth, remarked:

“The accommodation is modern and practical, and more importantly, it offers a real sense of home comforts for our sailors who look forward to moving in and being in one location, where we are all part of the same company.”

The first person to sleep in the Bespoke Sleepers was the then-First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir George Zambellas. He praised the experience, providing an excellent endorsement for our cabins and the work that went into their installation.

Adm (now retired) Sir George Zambellas stated:

"I had an excellent visit, and my guests and I enjoyed our stay."

Regarding the completed work, Luke Rothwell, Director at Bunkabin, shared his thoughts:

"This was a challenging contract, but I knew Bunkabin was the best fit for the job and could guarantee to meet the tight timelines specified in the tender. As the manufacturer of our units, we have complete control and confidence in our product. When the DIO awarded us the contract, we were excited about the challenge ahead.

We collaborated closely with CarillionAmey and their subcontractors to ensure a cohesive workflow that suited everyone. The schedule was demanding, and all 44 members of our workforce played a vital role in this project. When the last Bespoke Sleeper was installed ahead of schedule and on budget, it filled our company with a genuine sense of pride.

The positive feedback we received from customers and military personnel living in our units was tremendously uplifting as well. As a family business, we uphold our motto: treat people as we wish to be treated and fulfill our promises. Hearing such positive remarks reassures us that we are doing things right."

Are you in a similar situation?

Looking for additional accommodation for your site in a set amount of time? Then Bunkabin is here to help, we have over 37 years of experience in delivering large quantities of bespoke and hand-assembled accommodation in a short space of time.