A.J Wells Wayfinding Brochure by A.J Wells & Sons

WAY F I N D I N G

CONTENTS P.04

A.J WELLS & SONS LTD An introduction to our company.

P.05

BENEFITS OF VITREOUS ENAMEL

P.06 - 23 WAYFINDING 8

Legibility London Brighton Maps 10 Green Spaces 11 Exmoor Interpretation 12 - 13 Liverpool One 14 Abbey Road 9

P.16 - 17 VANDAL RESISTANT ENAMEL P.18

ACCREDITATIONS

A . J W E L L S & S O N S LT D We have the largest enamel facility in the UK, with a full range of capabilities in-house - including: site survey, CAD design, laser cutting, metal fabrication, graphic design, colour-matching, screen-printing, electrical assembly and installation. We offer unrivalled capacity for enamel signs, cladding, interpretation panels and special commissions.

A.J WELLS & SONS LTD, was founded in 1972 and is a privately owned, family controlled, British company that specialises in the design and manufacture of high quality vitreous enamel products and wood burning stoves (Charnwood). We also import fair trade tiles (Bodj) and pumice chimney (Anki). Run by second and third generations of the family, we are dedicated to providing products of enduring design and of the highest quality. OUR BUYING POLICY In our quest for quality we source our raw materials from only the very best companies. We aim to build strong relationships with our suppliers so that we can be confident in their quality, to maintain our high standards. We unashamedly buy British wherever possible. It is our view that it is environmentally unsustainable to transport heavy materials around the world, on the grounds of small savings, when the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finest materials are available here in the UK.

OUR COMMITMENT TO SERVICE As a family company service is of utmost importance to us. All customers in our enamel business have dedicated project management contacts to ensure any questions can be answered quickly. OUR ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY At A.J Wells & Sons Ltd we operate a policy of caring for the environment in all aspects of the business; from the products we design, to the way we package them, to the way we transport them, to the way we deal with disposal of waste. We are proud to be accredited with ISO 14001. Our in-house services include: VITREOUS ENAMELLING A state of the art enamelling plant including colour matching laboratory, glass milling, spray shop and furnacing for sheet steel and cast iron applications.

LASER PROFILING & METAL FABRICATION Metal and laser workshop for manufacturing bespoke and tray panels. GRAPHIC GENERATION AND SCREEN PRINTING Full screen making facilities and print studios offering screen print, transfer application and cut vinyl. DESIGN STUDIO Offering artworking and graphic design services. Also incorporating resident artist studios. ELECTRICAL & ILLUMINATION Electrical workshop for back-lit and illuminated products. Full framing services are also available. SITE SURVEYS & INSTALLATION Signage and architectural surveys and installation are undertaken for all areas. Approved by Transport For London and registered with the UK rail industry.

BENEFITS OF VITREOUS ENAMEL A vitreous enamel finish is achieved by fusing glass particles to sheet metal by firing it at temperatures in excess of 800°C. The result is a surface finish that is incredibly hardwearing to all the elements.

LONGEVITY: Enamel lasts up to 4 times longer than standard powder coated panelling. The robust and vibrant qualities of enamel make it unrivalled in surface finishing.

CHEMICAL RESISTANT: Enamel is resistant to virtually all alkali, acids, organic solvents, detergents, neutral saline solutions and is unaffected by kerosene.

GRAFFITI RESISTANT: Graffiti can be easily removed using solvents without affecting the graphics or enamel making it an unrivalled product for the urban environment.

COLOUR-FAST: Enamel stays as vibrant as the day it was produced regardless of the weather conditions. Where standard surface finishes will fade or peel over time enamel is resistant to light, ultra violet (UV) radiation, industrial pollutants, salt sea air and hail.

HYGIENIC: The smooth, hard surface of enamel eliminates the absorption of dirt and grease and the presence and growth of bacteria and mould. In this respect enamel outperforms other materials and coatings, including stainless steel.

HEAT, FIRE AND THERMAL SHOCK RESISTANCE: Enamel is resistant to temperature differentials of between -40°C and 650°C and can withstand rapid cooling without releasing any toxic gasses.

RESISTANCE TO CORROSION: Enamel ensures that the structural integrity of the steel is maintained and potential damage to the substrate is avoided. Panels stay intact even in extreme marine conditions. DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES: Enamel has a high degree of electrical resistance and acts as an excellent insulator, especially at room temperature.

RESISTANCE TO ABRASION: The surface of enamel resists mechanical abrasion and prevents scratching, either accidental or intentional. Enamel is also impervious to attack and damage by rodents and insects LOW MAINTENANCE: The surface requires very simple and only periodic maintenance. Enamel is anti-static and extremely easy to clean.

COST EFFECTIVE: A combination of resilience, vibrancy, low maintenance and exceptional longevity makes enamel one of the most cost effective surface finishes available. ENVIRONMENTAL: The elements that are used to produce both the enamel and the steel base contain very little polluting substances and are fully recyclable.

WAYFINDING

LEGIBILIT Y LONDON CLIENT: Transport for London TYPE: Wayfinding signage DATE: 2008 - ongoing

Legibility London is a new pedestrian wayfinding system to help people walk around London. Based on extensive research, the system uses a range of information, including street signs and printed maps, to help people find their way. It’s also integrated with other transport modes so when people are leaving the Underground, for example, they can quickly identify the route to their destination.

Following a successful prototype in the Bond Street area, TFL are now piloting the scheme in three distinct areas of London. The pilots will test the system’s effectiveness in a range of environments. A.J Wells manufactured the enamelled elements of the monoliths for this signage system throughout London. Vitreous enamel was specified for this project due to its durability and weather resistance.

KEY FEATURES: • Freestanding wayfinding monoliths • Throughout London A.J WELLS SERVICES: • Enamelling • Metal fabrication • Screenprinting

BRIGHTON MAPS

CLIENT: Brighton & Hove City Council TYPE: Wayfinding signage DATE: 2008-2010

Stunning block colour printed map panels were produced by A.J Wells for Brighton & Hove City Council for directional usage throughout the city of Brighton. The intricate graphics were screenprinted and fired over 8 times resulting in an exceptional depth of finish. Vitreous enamel was specified due to its durability, low maintenance and its performance in areas close to the sea. KEY FEATURES: • Wayfinding maps & finger posts • Urban regeneration A.J WELLS SERVICES: • Vitreous enamel screenprinted artwork

G R E E N S PAC E S PA R K S I G N AG E CLIENT: Several London Borough Councils TYPE: Interpretation panels DATE: 2004 - ongoing

Russell Square and Finsbury Park in London (both pictured above) are just two of fifty projects for London Green Spaces that A.J Wells have been involved in since 2004. Commissioned by various local London Authorities vitreous enamel was specified because of the longevity of the finish. The expected lifespan is at least four times that of any other material and maintenance is minimal.

KEY FEATURES: • Vibrant and durable signage • Weather resistant A.J WELLS SERVICES: • Enamelling • Screenprinting

E X M O O R I N T E R P R E TAT I O N CLIENT: Exmoor National Park TYPE: Interpretation panels DATE: 2010

With the backing of The National Lottery A.J Wells re-signed Exmoor National Park with interpretation panels for Langham Engine House. The white enamelled panels featured block screenprinting and enamel photographic transfer technology. All film output and colour separation for the photographic elements of the signage

was produced in-house ensuring graphic precision from start to finish. The panels were fabricated, enamelled and framed by A.J Wells. Signage consisted of: three wall fixed signs, two freestanding vertical post mounted signs and two freestanding lecterns.

KEY FEATURES: • New thermal imaging technology used • Lottery funded scheme • Heritage signage A.J WELLS SERVICES: • Enamelling • Metal fabrication • Graphic generation & screenprinting • Framing

LIVERPOOL ONE CLIENT: Liverpool City council/Grosvenor TYPE: Wayfinding signage DATE: 2008

• Enamelling

A.J Wells were commissioned to produce vitreous enamelled signage for The Liverpool One scheme on behalf of Grosvenor and Liverpool City Council to commemorate the slave trade that much of Liverpool’s docks are based on. A.J Wells manufactured a series of twenty vitreous enamel monoliths situated throughout Liverpool City Centre with curved panels featuring complex screened graphics set into stone mounts. A.J Wells also fabricated three stainless steels lectern stands curved to the same 12

radius as the rolled enamel panels set within them. Another unique part of the scheme was a large jigsaw-like wall installation incorporating a stainless steel frame with a sculpted centre section created from one single piece of vitreous enamel. The surrounding sections consisted of acid etched stainless steel with inset coloured ink.

KEY FEATURES: • Freestanding way-finding monoliths • Curved lectern signage • Wall installation with bespoke framing • Vitreous enamel with stainless steel acid etched elements A.J WELLS SERVICES: • Metal fabrication • Screenprinting: 4 colour process and block colour onto flat and curved surfaces Enamelling • • Acid-etched stainless steel elements • Bespoke framing • Installation

ÂŠ Mel Howse

ABBEY ROAD CLIENT: Westminster Council TYPE: Street signage DATE: 2007- on-going

In April 1969, The Beatles came together to record their final album Abbey Road at the Abbey Road studios in London. The album went on to become their best selling record featuring the iconic image of the group crossing the road outside the studio. Today fans from across the globe visit this famous street stopping traffic as they have their picture taken on the zebra crossing and around the Abbey

Road street sign. From time to time the vitreous enamel signs inevitably disappear for which A.J Wells are on hand to quickly supply replacements! KEY FEATURES: • Durable street signage • Enamel vibrancy A.J WELLS SERVICES: • Metal Fabrication • Enamelling

VA N D A L R E S I S TA N T E N A M E L Graffiti can be easily removed from vitreous enamelled panels using solvents without affecting the graphics or enamel. This makes it an unrivalled product for the urban environment. 1

As a demonstation a vitreous enamel line diagram panel is placed alongside a pre-coated aluminium roundel and a powder coated aluminium directional sign.

All 3 signs are graffitied with spray paints ...

... and scratched with keys and coins. The vitreous enamel cannot be marked.

This represents the kind of vandalism that these signs could be subjected to in the urban environment.

The paint is left for 1 hour to dry before being wiped with standard graffiti removing chemicals

The chemical agent removes the spray paint with relative ease ...

... but in doing so the graphics on the pre-coated and powdercoated aluminium are also affected and start to wipe off.

The graphics on the vitreous enamel however remain intact and unaffected.

Regardless of how hard the panel is scrubbed it remains in pristine condition.

The enamel panel is restored to its orginal condition with no damage to the surface.

In the working enviroment the pre-coated and powder-coated aluminium signage would need replacing as the graphics are severly damaged.

T H E R E S U LT S - B E F O R E

BEFORE Pre-coated aluminium printed to face - graffitied with spray paint and scratched with keys.

BEFORE Powder-coated aluminimum printed to face graffitied with spray paint and scratched with keys.

BEFORE Vitreous enamel - graffitied with spray paint and scratched with keys.

T H E R E S U LT S - A F T E R

AFTER Cleaned with graffiti removing solvents. The scratches are clearly visible and the artwork is removed.

AFTER Cleaned with graffiti removing solvents. The artwork has been removed.

AFTER Cleaned with graffiti removing solvents. The panel is back to its original condition- good as new.

ACCREDITATIONS

Visit our online portfolio at

WWW.AJWELLS.COM

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Institu te of Vit re ous En am eller s

British Sign & Graph ics Asso ciation