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NextFab recently completed a project for the University City Science Center for their renovation of the 37th St. Walkway between Chestnut and Market Streets.
The project consisted of multi-use game tables, with tops suitable for chess or backgammon. As a year round fixture of the outdoor parklet, the tables had to be robust enough to survive environmental conditions and the use and abuse that take place in a public space.
Matt Bell explains, “The primary consideration for the material selection was that it holds up the long term when installed outdoors in a public space. This means resistance to rain, snow, heat, cold, UV exposure, etc., plus the durability to normal wear and tear use and light vandalism.”
“At the same time, the material needed to allow us to fabricate the game boards into the surface and be flexible enough to accommodate the client’s design preferences (color, pattern) which were yet to be determined. Corian checked all of those boxes from the designer/fabricator’s perspective, and the client was very happy with the variety of aesthetic choices available. I think this project really allows the versatility of Corian to shine.”
NextFab has certified Corian fabricators on staff and extensive experience fabricating with the material.
The Corian was milled on the ShopBot CNC Router, inlaid, bonded, and finished by the wood shop staff of John Haggerty, Ryan Hyde, and Chris Kolb. While the table tops kept the wood shop busy, Matt Watson, Amanda Fowler, and Stephanie Slaugther built the stainless steel bases in the machine shop. As a result of many hours of hard work, the tables are a beautiful addition to the parklet.
For more information about working with Corian, see our material focussed blog here.
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