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A.J WELLS & SONS LTDAn introduction to our company.

BENEFITS OF VITREOUS ENAMEL

CLADDING

8 - 9 Aylesbury Bus Station10 - 11 Grand Designs12 -13 Victoria Coach Station14 Newcastle Metro15 Moshi Moshi16 -17 The Fish Shop

VANDAL RESISTANT ENAMEL

ACCREDITATIONS

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CONTENTS

A . J W E L L S & S O N S LT DWe 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 POLICYIn 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 world’s finest materials are available here in the UK.

OUR COMMITMENT TO SERVICEAs 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 POLICYAt 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 designservices. Also incorporating resident artist studios.

ELECTRICAL & ILLUMINATION Electrical workshop for back-lit and illuminated products. Full framing services are also available.

SITE SURVEYS & INSTALLATIONSignage and architectural surveys and installation are undertaken for all areas.

Approved by Transport For London and registered with the UK rail industry.

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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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

B E N E F I T S O F V I T R E O U S E N A M E LA 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.

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CLADDING

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Laura Boswell’s creation for the newly refurbished walls of Aylesbury Bus Station is Europe’s largest piece of original enamelled panel artwork. The vibrant mural of rolling hills and patchwork fields has transformed a once plain, dimly lit underpass. The piece draws inspiration from the landscapes of Aylesbury Vale and lines the sides of Great Western Street, leading into the bus station.

Laura Boswell’s work was commissioned by Buckinghamshire County Council following a successful bid by AVDC to Arts Council England for The Art Plus 2007 Award Scheme for art in public places.

In an unusual twist to the project Laura hand applied her proposed design directly onto the cladding. Not only did this prove more cost effective and economical than a traditional screenprinting method but Buckinghamshire County Council were essentially buying a completely unique artwork for the district.

Studio space was allocated at A.J Wells and the project was incorporated into the factory work-flow so that Laura had

full access to facilities and assistance as and when required. Laura created the imagery by projecting and sketching out her carefully planned artwork onto the plain panels before applying the inks. The dimensions of the design and each colour was referenced and recorded should any of the panels need replacing in the future.

A.J Wells and Laura worked together in developing a handpainted ‘Scraffito’ technique involving sponging the inks onto the panel, drying and scratching into the surface before finally fusing the enamel to the panel by firing it at over 800°C.

Each panel measured 2.4 meters high by 1.2 meters wide with a total of 800 panels of which 400 were handpainted.

Another element of the project produced in-house at A.J Wells were the cut steel screens that re-enforce ventilation panels appearing within sections of the artwork. Laura designed these as abstract hedge detailing that was then laser cut in stainless steel.

The artwork was unveiled in April 2009.

AY L E S B U RY B U S S TAT I O NCLIENT: Buckinghamshire County CouncilARTIST: Laura BoswellDATE: 2009

KEY FEATURES:

• Europe’s largest original enamelled artwork

• Urban re-generation project

A.J WELLS SERVICES:

• Metal fabrication

• Vitreous enamelled panels.

• In-house artist and studio space.

• Laser cut steel panels

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Architect Lincoln Miles and artist Lisa Traxler approached A.J Wells during the building of their home in 2009/10. They wanted to clad a section of the house in enamel with an applied artwork by Lisa.

The house was originally a 1960s bungalow that Lincoln ‘upcyled’ adding a ground floor living space and a 3 storey wooden tower. A.J Wells surveyed the property then fabricated a series of tray panels in white enamel. Lisa was then allocated an area of studio space within the factory to create her artwork with access to inks, tools and expertise.

The panels were fired and then installed using power magnets to seamlessly hold the cladding in place. The couple also installed a Cove wood-burning stove from A.J Wells’ sister company Charnwood.

This spectacular project was filmed for Channel 4’s Grand Designs. For further details visit: www.treehouseisleofwight.co.uk

KEY FEATURES:

• Unique art cladding

• Featured on ‘Grand Designs’ TV series

A.J WELLS SERVICES:

• Enamelling

• Metal fabrication

• Studio space for artist

T H E T R E E H O U S E - G R A N D D E S I G N SCLIENT: Lincoln Miles ArchitectureARTIST: Lisa TraxlerDATE: 2010

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The panels are fired then reworked several times. Lisa works to a palette of specified colours.

Panels are fired at up to 800oC fusing the glass inks to the metal work.

The completed panels featured on the Grand Designs show.

Lisa lays the panels out across the studio and masks areas in preparation for painting.

She paints, marks and scratches the panels.

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London Victoria Coach Station is the largest, most significant coach station in London. It serves as a departure and arrival port for long distance coach services throughout the UK and is one of the busiest transport hubs in the country with over 10 million passengers passing through each year.

A.J Wells fabricated and enamelled the steel cladding and column casings back in 1991 and they still look as good today as they did when they were first installed.

This project is an excellent example of the durability and longevity of vitreous enamel. The current condition of the enamelled cladding is testiment as to how hard-wearing vitreous enamel is.

The cladding requires very little maintenence making for an extremely cost effective finish.

KEY FEATURES:

• Longevity

• Low maintenance

A.J WELLS SERVICES:

• Enamelling

• Metal fabrication

• Screen-printed graphics

• Installation

V I C TO R I A C OAC H S TAT I O NCLIENT: Transport for LondonTYPE: Coach StationDATE: 1991

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For the 250th anniversary of the birth of the wood engraver Thomas Bewick, Nexus (the public transport authority for The Tyne and Wear Metro) launched ‘The Bewick Commission’ which facilitated the installation of contemporary artwork at its stations.

A.J Wells produced 31 vitreous enamel panels decorated with engravings created by Hilary Paynter RE. The 2 x 1 metre

cladding panels formed a 22 metre long panoramic mural.

Hilary’s intricate engravings were scanned and enlarged to ten times their original size before they were screenprinted onto the enamel panels.

The cladding panels were officially unveiled in June 2004

KEY FEATURES:

• Hilary Paynter RE engravings

• Panoramic cladding

A.J WELLS SERVICES:

• Enamelling

• Metal fabrication

• High resolution scanning (5,166 dpi)

• Graphic generation & screenprinting

N E WC A S T L E M E T ROCLIENT: Nexus Public Transport AuthorityTYPE: Metro Station CladdingDATE: 2004

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A.J Wells used vitreous enamel to clad the interior of London sushi restaurant Moshi Moshi. Enamel was specified for its durability and hygienic properties

The enamelled cladding covered a double height internal wall and projected through the shop front to form the restaurant sign. The first floor housed a sushi belt, the ground floor a takeaway counter and seating.

The cladding panels were fabricated to form recesses for the refrigerated counter, till area and access to the stairs.A graphic based on Japanese cherry blossom was used to decorate the panels on the first floor. Vitreous enamel was also used for bespoke tables and light fittings.

The restaurant was shortlisted for the AJ Small Projects Award.

KEY FEATURES:

• Restaurant cladding

• Table tops

• Light fittings

A.J WELLS SERVICES:

• Enamelling

• Metal fabrication

•Graphic generation & screenprinting

M O S H I M O S H ICLIENT: Moshi MoshiTYPE: Cladding panels and restaurant fittingsDATE: 2005

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A.J Wells produced a vitreous enamelled shop counter, external fascia and fittings for an up-market fish and chip shop in West London. Enamel was specified for its durability and hygienic qualities.

The interior was inspired by forms and colours of traditional fishmongers and mobile seafood stalls. The terrazzo floors, blue striped awnings, timber panelling and enamel surfaces reflected this.

“A happy mixture of the familiar and the fresh, the English fish and chip shop brought up to date” Frame Magazine

The lights on the ceiling are arranged to form a map of Britain, illustrating its relationship with the sea.

The design was published in Vogue, Wallpaper, RIBA interiors & FX magazines. It also featured on the front cover of the Independent “Information” magazine.

KEY FEATURES:

• Enamelled counters and fittings

• External cladding

A.J WELLS SERVICES:

• Enamelling

• Metal fabrication

T H E F I S H S H O PCLIENT: The Fish ShopTYPE: Enamel CounterDATE: 2003

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VA N DA 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.

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

... 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 ...

All 3 signs are graffitied with spray paints ...

... 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.

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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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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All photographs and text ©2011 A.J Wells & Sons Ltd. All rights reserved. With exception of the following:

Moshi Moshi: Page 15 - © Gundry & DuckerThe Fish and Chip Shop: Page 16 - © Gundry & Ducker

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ACCREDITATIONS

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I V EInsti tu te of

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