Dear Friends, A week ago, Kevin Cole's 18 year-old son, Aron, was hit by a drunk driver. Aron suffered severe head injuries and has been on the brink of death ever since with less than a 20% chance of surviving. He had just celebrated his 18th birthday the week before. Kevin, editor of Countertops & Architectural Surfaces magazine and valued ISFA staff member, is a single father with two additional children at home, ages 12 and 13. He is doing all he can to be a Dad to the younger children and still be there for his son, who is in a hospital three hours from home. It is a very difficult time for Kevin and his family. I know he would appreciate your thoughts and prayers. The man who hit Aron had just gotten his license back three days earlier after having had it suspended. The night of the wreck he was kicked out of two bars before getting into his car. He ran a stop sign and hit Aron. At this point it is not clear if the driver even had insurance. To assist Kevin with his mounting expenses ISFA has set up a fund. If you wish to contribute using a credit card, please call the ISFA office at 877.464.7732. You may also contribute online via PayPal by visiting ISFAnow.org and clicking on the Aron Cole Fund. Please know that 100% of the funds will go to Kevin's family. Kevin has many responsibilities to juggle and he asks his friends and colleagues in the decorative surfacing industry to have patience and bear with him as he works through this crisis. I would also recommend that you do not call Kevin on his phone due to the abundance of distractions he already faces. What he needs most now is your support and prayers. Sincerely, Russ Lee ISFA Executive Director

Toll Free: 877-464-7732 Office: 801-341-7360 Fax: 801-341-7361



Are you submitting a design for the 2010 student design challenge? improve your chance of winning - join us for a fabrication webinar

Sterling Surfaces - a fabrication partner of the 2010 Student Design Challenge - is hosting a webinar focused on the fabrication of LG Hausys HI-MACS Solid Surface.  If you plan on submitting a design idea for the 2010 competition or are simply curious about the solid surface fabrication process, be sure to join us for the webinar on Wednesday, February 24th at 2pm EST Register for the webinar HERE About Sterling Surfaces Sterling Surfaces is a Solid Surface fabrication company with over 400 year's cumulative experience working with solid surface materials. Located near Boston Massachusetts, it is known world-wide for it's cutting edge fabrication processes such as 3D thermoforming and digital based machining, to fabricating some of the solid surface industry's most iconic projects. Sterling Surfaces has fabricated numerous design projects using LG Hausys HI-MACS Solid Surfaces, including recent projects at the new W Hotel in New York City and Syracuse University (pictured). Sterling Surfaces is committed to helping the design world see the endless possibilities of Solid Surface.

LGSURFACESCHALLENGE.COM

ALOFTHOTELS.COM

photos by baumgartfoto

Sterling Surfaces is happy to announce that it has won “Best of Show” for its entry in the “Innovations in Design” competition last week at ICE, the International Countertop Expo, in Las Vegas.

The winning design was Philips Medical System’s Ambient Experience solid surface casework with Dupont Corian for imaging labs, fabricated and installed in 2009 at the University of California Medical Center- Irvine. This is part of Philips Medical Systems Ambient experience used in MRI rooms in hospitals thru out the country.

For the 4^th time in 12 years Sterling Surfaces has won “Best of Show” Once again, we are sincerely honored to receive this award. It recognizes the commitment of our entire staff to collaborate with Architects and Designers, to provide proven fabrication and maximize the unparalleled value of solid surface materials, meeting the design and product specifications of the most demanding designs.

Sterling Surfaces invites Designers and Architects to learn more about its award winning work with solid surface and the Architectural & Design communities. 

Sterling Surfaces is a full service Master Fabricator, offering engineering to installation and every thing in between.

For more information please contact Jon Olson. jon@sterlingsurfaces.com

photos by baumgartfoto

After months of hard work, we have finally completed a large job at Syracuse University, NY. The design of the new cafeteria building required the thermoforming of many sheets of LG Hi-Macs. Solid surface makes an ideal material for food service installations like this. It is easy to clean and maintain, and does not contribute to bacteria growth. Below is a brief video of the finished installation. For additional photos, please visit our gallery.

Thermoforming oven and vacuum table at Sterling Surfaces

One of the great advantages of solid surface is that it can be heated and bent into many different designs through a process called thermoforming. The process involves heating the material to approximately 160 degrees celsius for specified periods of time.  

When heated, the material becomes very pliable. It is immediately put onto molds used for vacuum forming or two part matched molds. Within 30 minutes the material is cool to the touch and retains its new shape. It’s a remarkable process that’s yields some very impressive, 3 dimensional designs considering it started as a flat sheet!

What kind of design ideas can you take advantage of with thermoformed solid surface? Virtually any shape imagined can be formed with solid surface. Wood and some other materials can also be formed but nothing can touch the seamless look of formed solid surface. The cost can be a plus as well. Shapes can be achieved for a lot less cost than conventional woodworking, metal, or plastic techniques. The great results attained with thermoforming create a very luxurious look…often times for less money.

Thermoforming adds just one more benefit to an already great material, one that is renewable (even damaged surfaces can be repaired to look as good as new),  seamless, non porous, and moisture resistant. Solid surface’s thermoforming ability coincides very nicely with the advent of computer assisted designs, and the ever increasing ability for humans to design 3D objects and transfer digitized geometries into a digital work format for fabrication. Certainly, no other material comes close to the thermoforming ability of solid surface.

Here a just a few applications. Through the use of thermoforming many outstanding design plans have been realized. All projects listed were fabricated by Sterling Surfaces.

Outdoor Bench - CorianChair - CorianOffice Cubicle - LG SurfacesOutdoor Lampshade - CorianTable - CorianNightstand - LG Surfaces

Modular Dining Unit - CorianReception Desk - Corian

The use of solid surface in the medical world has never been as important as now. With war on germs declared, solid surface is the best choice for medical applications.

We just completed a project at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center (UCIMC).

Corian was used throughout the Phillips ambient experience CAT scan imaging room. The Corian serves two purposes, mitigating the risk of infection spread and creating a stunning environment thru the use of clean crisp solid surface fixtures.

International Student Design Challenge Prototypes to Debut in the USA

 LG Surfaces, the North American supplier of Solid Surface, Stone, and Eco Surfaces, will be showcasing innovative concepts designed by students at GREENBUILD , November 10-12, 2009 in Phoenix. The prototypes, which made their debut in Milan, Italy as part of the LG Surfaces Beyond International Student Design Challenge truly show the limitless possibilities of LG’s highly-versatile Solid Surface products and will feature Eco Eden Solid Surface, one of the most environmentally conscious acrylic products available.

The winning student concepts were brought to life by LG Surfaces’ first-class fabrication partners at Sterling Surfaces, an award-winning fabrication shop based in the Boston area. The five designs to be showcased were fully conceptualized by the students and can be viewed online at www.lgbeyond.com . Each concept utilized specified material and color from among the LG Surfaces Solid Surface and Eco Surface product categories for commercial design applications in industries such as retail, hospitality and dining, offices, and education. The prototypes to be showcased are:

• Tim Norris from Arizona State University, with "Equilibrium"
• Christopher Terrell from Auburn University, with "NU-BICLE"
• Michael Rall from North Carolina State University, with "Echo"
• Soo Kang Lee from University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, with "Outdoor Chair X"
• Paul Vu from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona, with "The Jinza Table”

“It’s thrilling to witness the creativity and variety of the student designs come to life. Each of them stepped up to the challenge truly thinking beyond a traditional LG Surfaces application, showcasing the capabilities of our products in an environment where life happens. It has been a great experience to work with young, emerging talent and we look forward to introducing their pieces to attendees at the GREENBUILD show,” said Mike Tasch, Director of Commercial Marketing for LG Surfaces.

Eco Eden Solid Surfaces are certified by Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) for pre-consumer recycled content, and can help specifiers earn LEED certification in several categories. All LG Surfaces products are GREENGUARD certified and GREENGUARD for Children and Schools certified. LG Surfaces will be exhibiting during GREENBUILD at booth # 363.

To setup a meeting with the student designers during the show, email fdunham@lgsurfaces.com.

INTERACTIVE MEDIA
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE STUDENT DESIGN CONCEPTS COME TO LIFE

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS IMAGES OF DESIGN CONCEPTS

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE LG SURFACES STUDENT BEYOND CHALLENGE

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON STERLING SURFACES 

About LG Surfaces
A subsidiary of the global LG powerhouse known for its innovative and quality products, LG Surfaces (headquartered in Peoria, Ariz.) offers a wide variety of Solid Surface, Stone, and Eco surfacing products. Each of these product lines transforms ordinary spaces into attractive and highly-functional places where day-to-day life takes place.

Because LG Surfaces products are low-maintenance, durable, and don’t harbor bacteria or mold, they are ideal for applications both at home and in a variety of commercial/public spaces. All LG Surfaces products are backed by a 15-year warranty through an extensive service network throughout North America. For more information on LG Surfaces product lines, please visit www.lgsurfaces.com or call (866) 544-6227.

Every countertop needs some type of backsplash. Most countertop surfaces can only offer the standard 4" high, loose piece of backsplash with few design options. Solid surface on the other hand, offers an endless range of backsplash design ideas.

Because of the seamless attributes of solid surface, mixing and matching two or three backsplash treatments is simple and cost effective.

Here is a brief review of the variety solid surface brings to the backsplash.

Tile cove.

The picture demonstrates how a tile cove backsplash is fabricated to accept tile or any other vertical wall surface. Typically it is called 3/8" tile cove, meaning the top edge of the tile cove is 3/8" wide. When 1/4" tile is installed on top of it, you are left with a slight reveal. The thickness of the tile determines the width of tile cove ledge.

Using tile cove as a foundation for the tile serves a couple purposes. It makes for a clean and classy, almost seamless transition to your worktop, makes for easier cleaning, and reduces the chance of moisture getting behind the countertop and cabinets.

Cove Backsplash

Cove backsplash has many attributes and flexibility to give you the complete custom built-in look. The backsplash is integrally fused to the worktop forming a smooth, one piece splash and top.

Do you have a curved wall? No problem. Need to go around a few corners? Done. And when you add a scribe strip to the back of a 3" or 4” cove backsplash, with proper templating your cove backsplash can follow any wall irregularities and provides a custom built-in look.

Full Height Backsplash

One of the more exciting backsplash treatments in recent years is full height backsplash. An interesting technique is to use solid surface to simulate tile and grout lines. This is accomplished by using a computer controlled router (CNC). Virtually any design can be routed into solid surface. Below are just a few examples.

You can see how it is possible to get the look of tile and grout lines, but without dirt build-up or the need for sealing. Accents can be added as well to enhance the look. Most of the time when a full height solid surface backsplash is used, it is installed on top of tile cove. When seamed, you have a virtually waterproof and easy to clean worktop area.

This application can also be added to any counter surface from granite to engineered stone, making for some striking contrasts.

Solid surface backsplash adds value to your countertop through appealing designs and ease of living.

    The advantage of a solid surface sink is that you can design a sink that fits your approach to design. Solid surface fabrication techniques that include thermoforming, mold making, and CNC technology make it possible and affordable to design and fabricate sinks that fit your needs. Let’s examine a few of these thoughts in more detail.

Medical Application

     As hospitals declare war on germs, solid surface has played a key role because of its non-porous surface. Surgical rooms need large scrub sinks to wash before surgery. One solution has been to design and fabricate surgeon scrub sinks out of solid surface which allows them to be engineered and fabricated in a practical way.

    Notice the surgeon scrub sink you see in the picture. It has removable panels to allow maintenance crews access if work needs to be done. Put the panel back on and you have a workable and design pleasing sink.

Hospitality

     Hotels have many rooms and because of the volume of sinks needed, the rooms tend to be generic. There frankly aren’t many options. But, a well thought, original design can make for a great look. Solid surface sinks give designer’s un-limited design possibilities.

Residential

     When a homeowner remodels their kitchen they want it to stand out. Having a one of a kind kitchen is very pleasing. A custom solid surface sink can be that final touch in a beautiful kitchen. There are so many design ideas. How about a farmers sink? What about a sink that fits your needs as a cook? Solid surface sinks can also be mounted to other surfaces such as granite and concrete tops.

    There is one point that needs to be cleared up concerning solid surface sinks. Many people feel they look dirty or scratch easy. This is simply not true. The dirt and scratches you see can be caused by two things. Your sink wasn’t sanded properly before it was installed or proper maintenance hasn’t been performed. Make sure your fabricator doesn’t minimize the importance of a good sanding job. A good rule of thumb is whatever sanding procedure was used to sand your top should be applied to the sink as well. For maintenance instructions do as your home care kit suggests.

    Make a solid decision, think about a solid surface sink!