Anderson, GEC Ltd

Northern Ireland’s artists and designers of tomorrow are moving into a creative new environment enhanced by the stylish appearance and solid functionality of stainless steel sinks and worktops, custom-crafted by leading bespoke manufacturer GEC Anderson. The durable stainless steel products have been installed as part of a major development programme at the University of Ulster, where they will provide essential facilities for various art disciplines. GEC Anderson is a pioneer of made-to-measure stainless steel products for domestic, commercial and specialist applications.The University of Ulster’s School of Art and Design caters for 2,000 students in the Warwick and Orpheus buildings, flanking busy York Street in downtown Belfast. The school provides teaching and research facilities in fine and applied arts, design and visual communication. In the first £12 million phase of a £30 million re-development, the school is commissioning a six-storey extension to the Warwick Building. The overall plan, prepared by Belfast-based Todd Architects, enables the university to expand teaching and recreational activities on an urban site within the Cathedral Quarter conservation area. Project architect Angus Waddington says both existing buildings will be extensively modernised in the later phases.With numerous studios and workshops for “wet” art disciplines – ranging from painting and ceramics to print-making and printed textiles – the school has a significant need for durable worktops and sinks. Although the new building will eventually focus on the digital arts, it will provide temporary accommodation for departments displaced by renovation elsewhere. In the new extension, interior design consultant Colin Sneddon of DEGW specified GEC Anderson stainless steel sinks, worktops and splashbacks to ensure lasting resistance to paints, inks and dyes. “I have worked with these products previously. GEC Anderson provides a robust, quality solution which is ideal in this application,” he says.Installed by Specialist Joinery Fittings, the bespoke worktops from GEC Anderson are made from acid-resisting grade satin finish stainless steel. The worktops, up to 4m in length, feature integral sinks from GEC Anderson’s standard range as well as splashbacks and water-retaining edge details to minimise spills and splashes during daily use. GEC Anderson Managing Director Martin Tye says stainless steel stands up well to sustained heavy use. “It requires minimal maintenance which means low lifetime costs, and is easy to keep clean. These factors, combined with sheer good looks, make stainless steel the ideal material in many different applications.”

Stainless steel sinks, worktops cabinets and shelving to various station train-crew and control rooms, including a DDA compliant area featuring a special shallow sink.Working closely with the LUL design and specification, all units exclude flammable materials or materials that can smoulder under extreme temperatures. Having supplied many LUL locations in the past, this did not provide a difficulty for GEC Anderson.

GEC Anderson were recently asked to provide replacement worktops, splashbacks and panels within a chic West London home.Although the existing units and joinery were in a very good condition, the composite worktops and panelling were beginning to show signs of wear. The brief was to remove the three existing worktops as well as their associated panels (splashbacks, side panels, back panels as well as one soffit panel) and to replace with brushed satin stainless steel equivalents. Included within the remit was the reuse of the flush fitting hob, pop-up extraction unit with it’s controls as well as the provision of a pop-up socket system.20mm plain edges were specified (GEC Anderson edge detail 7). The double sinks were from the modern Series A range. The project was measured, manufactured and installed by GEC Anderson.Founded in England in 1962, GEC Anderson has pioneered the development of made-to-measure stainless steel products. Today, the company’s range also includes standard and modular stainless steel options. Products include sinks, worktops, cabinets, shelving, splashbacks, doors and sanitaryware for use in domestic, commercial and specialist environments. All products are manufactured to ISO 9001 and backed by a comprehensive support service from planning and product specification to installation and maintenance.

Wellington College, founded in 1859, is one of the world’s top co-educational day and boarding schools and is situated in Berkshire.The project is set within the Wellington estate and comprises of two buildings within a woodland setting. A new boarding house and day house were created to provide further accommodation and facilities for pupils.GEC Anderson were appointed to supply custom stainless steel worktops and splashbacks for a total of nine common rooms and kitchens. 40mm edge profiles were specified for the worktops that included integral sinks with wet zone inline drainers. 250mm back and side upstands were integral to the worktops to provide a practical and durable junction to walls and adjacent units. EN 1.4301 grade brushed satin stainless steel was used throughout.GEC Anderson were responsible for measuring, production, delivery and installation of the stainless steel elements that were supplied in phases to suit the stringent works program of the main contractor, Feltham Construction.Founded in England in 1962, GEC Anderson has pioneered the development of made-to-measure stainless steel products. Today, the company’s range also includes standard and modular stainless steel options. Products include sinks, worktops, cabinets, shelving, splashbacks, doors and sanitaryware for use in domestic, commercial and specialist environments. All products are manufactured to ISO 9001 and backed by a comprehensive support service from planning and product specification to installation and maintenance.

A recent worktop installation by GEC Anderson reflects the strong design intent of a spacious London kitchen. Featuring prominent yellow cabinets that sit below the made to measure stainless steel worktops, the kitchen also has bare plaster walls and brightly glazed floor tiles.Thin worktop edge profiles add to the dramatic look as does the ‘Patina’ surface finish of the worktops that was chosen to match the [stainless steel] window system. Matching window sils, splashbacks and planter area were also included in this highly individualistic design creation.As with most renovations, walls and angles were irregular. GEC Anderson were instructed to template and install their worktops which fitted perfectly.Founded in England in 1962, GEC Anderson has pioneered the development of made-to-measure stainless steel products. Today, the company’s range also includes standard and modular stainless steel options. Products include sinks, worktops, cabinets, shelving, splashbacks, doors and sanitaryware for use in domestic, commercial and specialist environments. All products are manufactured to ISO 9001 and backed by a comprehensive support service from planning and product specification to installation and maintenance.