Sterling Surfaces | Solid Surface thermoforming and fabrication

Master Solid Surface Fabricators

Sterling Surfaces is a group of Solid Surface fabricators, designers, and engineers. Using advanced thermoforming techniques and CNC and digital based fabrication, we help you realize your designs, taking them from conception to completion. We have worked with architects, designers, and homeowners for 30 years using materials such as Dupont CORIAN®, Porcelanosa KRION®, LG Hi-Macs®, Avonite Surfaces, Formica Solid Surface, Wilsonart Solid Surface and the like.

Senior Spot Bench

Architect: Studio ABK
Location Choate Rosemary Hall, Wallingford, CT
Project Date: October 2008

Challenge: Create an outdoor seating system as a centerpiece of this formerly underutilized area. Find a material capable of the shape and ability to incorporate the donor recognition element that made it possible. Material needed to stand up to outdoor elements. Somehow the letters needed to illuminate.

Solution: Continuous formed Dupont Corian inlaid with photoluminescent Lumistone, a solid surface product by Tower Industries. The Benches are supported with internal steel supports for longer spans.
Studio ABK architect Mai Wu, when asked why Corian was chosen replied, “All other options would have required lighting under the benches. They where concerned a metal bench would be too hot to sit on. Some people were concerned about the maintenance for wood overtime. I cant say I know for sure why they chose Corian but I'm glad they did”.

Technologies Used: The fabrication process involved exacting CAD, CAM files and the use of 4-axis CNC machining, specialized vacuum thermoforming.

Interesting Facts: 130-feet long, over 7,000 letters cut and pocketed for 400 donor names.

Photos by Jeff Baumgart

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