Welcome to the on-line magazine of Stainless Steel Industry.

You can now view the complete issue of Stainless Steel Industry as a page turning magazine. Just click on the front cover thumbnail in right hand column and you will notice that all the links work, that the pages are searchable and you can print, save and share as you want.

The current issue contains articles on Franke, finland and some decemopments at PPS. Let us know your views.

The pictures below show a series of eight Creative Units (16 individual offices/studios), designed and built by Heatherwick Studio has established itself as new landmarks for Aberystwyth and go to further enhance the Art Centre’s reputation as one of the leading venues for contemporary arts and culture in the UK.  As you will see from the photos, the  design is both striking and considerate to its setting.  The simple timber-frame buildings are clad with a bespoke crinkled stainless steel system that creates a shimmering futuristic appearance, reflecting the greenery of their site.  Unusually, their construction as well as their design was led by Heatherwick Studio whose specialist team worked on site with local sub-contractors to deliver the project.  The special cladding system was fabricated on site using a contraption akin to a Victorian mangle that deformed the steel into its irregular form. The studios sit within woodland, and over time will blend further into the maturing landscape around them.

The original steel covering came from Knight Strip Materials, who provided the steel for the current units. However, when the Arts Centre received funding for a further unit to be built but they were not able to provide the smaller quantity - approx 410kgs needed for one unit. The Arts Centre searched far and wide to see if anyone could do it - because of the location the grade had to be exactly 1.4404  which was difficult for companies to provide in smaller amounts. Thankfully  ArcelorMittal – Stainless & Nickel Alloys UK Limited, from Buckinghamshire came through with the goods and will be  able to provide the steel needed when work starts on the additional unit in 2010. The exact details of the steel are: 1000mm x 0.127mm 316L Bright Annealed material.

All sixteen studio spaces have been let, with tenants including internationally-renowned painter Mary Lloyd Jones and Creu Cymru - the National Development Agency for Theatres and Arts Centres in Wales. They were officially opened in May 2009 by Alun Ffred Jones AM, Heritage Minister in the Welsh Assembly Government.

The studios are the latest in a growing list of architectural commissions by Heatherwick Studio that includes the award-winning East Beach Café in Littlehampton.

This development was made possible with support from the Arts Council for Wales Lottery Fund, the Assembly Government and Aberystwyth University.