Blog
June 19th, 2012
What is Thermoforming?
Thermoforming is a cost-effective and efficient way to manipulate plastic to create custom interior architectural designs and structures. Common products made by thermoforming include Baby Bathing Bowls, Modular Vanities, Bathroom Partitioning Systems, and Wall Panels.
What is the Thermoforming Process?
The thermoforming process involves the heating and molding of temperature-sensitive materials, known as thermoplastics. Once the thermoplastic cools, it once again becomes extremely hard. This creates a new, usable product.
Thermoforming and Interior Architecture / Design Services from A.S.S.T.
A.S.S.T.’s state-of-the-art plant is geared toward creating solutions for the commercial construction market. We build beauty that lasts by employing several techniques that we feel give us that competitive edge over other companies, including thermoforming.
For more information on Thermoforming please visit our website or give us a call. A.S.S.T. is your one stop supplier for your next commercial interior architectural project.
If you have a project that you would like us to bid on or have questions about whether or not we can provide you the product you are looking for please contact us and we would be happy to answer your questions or provide you with a quote.
You can reach A.S.S.T. by calling 717.630.1251 or click here today!
Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn!
Tags: baby bathing bowls, Bathroom Partitioning Systems, cost-effective, interior architectural designs, interior architecture, Interior Design, modular vanities, Thermoforming, Wall Panels
Posted in Aesthetically Pleasing Educational Environments, Aesthetically Pleasing Healthcare Facilities, Aesthetically Pleasing Office Design, Aesthetically Pleasing Restaurant Design, Aesthetically Pleasing Retail Design, Aesthetics and Education, Baby Bathing Bowls, Countertops, Healing Environment, Modular Vanities, Office Aesthetics, Positive Learning Environment, Restaurant Design, Sculptcor Benefits, Sculptures, Solid Surface, Thermoforming, Wall Panels | No Comments »
June 13th, 2012
In the retail industry, competition is fierce. As a business owner, you need to figure out how to make your retail store stand out among the crowd. One of the best ways to do this is through interior architecture, interior design, and aesthetics.
It is human nature to be drawn to the aesthetically pleasing. In fact, research has shown that retail stores that put an emphasis on design tend to see increased traffic flow and experience a boost in sales.
Benefits of Aesthetics in Retail Stores
- Increase sales
- Increases customer satisfaction
- Makes your business more noticeable
- Increases the effectiveness of your marketing efforts
According to different research conducted by Design council, it was found out that 1/3 of fast-growing businesses establishments see design as significant and integral.
Aesthetically Pleasing Retail Design
- Visual Merchandising: This refers to the aesthetically pleasing display of merchandise in hopes to increase awareness of certain product to help boost sales.
- Interior Architecture: An aesthetically pleasing display is one thing. An aesthetically pleasing store is a completely different task. Successful retail design needs to balance light, color, music and more! The entire store needs to be designed and organized in a way that attracts customers and motivates them to explore!
- Be Innovative: Dare to be unique. Do not copy what other retain stores are doing. In order to attract customers, you need to offer something that no one else has seen.
- Give A.S.S.T. a Call!
Displaying products in a retail environment takes creativity and customization – two areas where A.S.S.T. shines. We’ve worked with the biggest retailers in the world, and their vendors, to create attractive retail displays that entertain and influence customers to make a purchase.
Boost Sales with Aesthetically Pleasing Retail Design – Contact A.S.S.T. Today!
For more information on Retail Industry Design and Aesthetics please visit our website or give us a call. A.S.S.T. is your one stop supplier for your next commercial interior architectural project.
If you have a project that you would like us to bid on or have questions about whether or not we can provide you the product you are looking for please contact us and we would be happy to answer your questions or provide you with a quote.
You can reach A.S.S.T. by calling 717.630.1251 or click here today!
Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn!
Tags: Aesthetically Pleasing Retail Design, Aesthetics, Boost Sales, Displaying products, Increase sales, interior architecture, Interior Design, retail industry, Retail Industry Design, Retail Stores, retailers, Visual Merchandising
Posted in Aesthetically Pleasing Retail Design | No Comments »
June 7th, 2012
Did you know that 57% of patients have negative comments about their hospital room? While this may not seem important, consider this: positive healthcare design can not only increase patient satisfaction, but also foster healing.
“Arts in health care programs and creative arts therapies have been applied to a vast array of health issues—from posttraumatic stress disorder to autism, mental health, chronic illnesses, Alzheimer’s and dementia, neurological disorders and brain injuries, premature infant care, and physical disabilities—to improve patients’ overall health outcomes, treatment compliance, and quality of life.” – A 2009 State of the Field report.
Numerous studies have found that positive healthcare interior design can distract patients from the challenges of treatment and can positively affect treatment outcomes. Aesthetics play an important role in the healing process. Incorporating art and other aesthetically pleasing accent pieces throughout healthcare facilities can help create a calming experience for patients.
“First we shape our buildings; thereafter, they shape us.” – Winston Churchill
A.S.S.T. can help you meet those challenges by providing architectural millwork, plastic laminate casework, or whatever fixtures your healthcare facility requires.
For more information on Healthcare Facility Design please visit our website or give us a call. A.S.S.T. is your one stop supplier for your next commercial interior architectural project.
If you have a project that you would like us to bid on or have questions about whether or not we can provide you the product you are looking for please contact us and we would be happy to answer your questions or provide you with a quote.
You can reach A.S.S.T. by calling 717.630.1251 or click here today!
Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn!
Tags: Aesthetics, Art, Arts in health care, foster healing, healing process, health care, Healthcare, healthcare design, Healthcare Facility Design, hospital room, Interior Design, Patients
Posted in Aesthetically Pleasing Healthcare Facilities, Healing Environment | No Comments »
May 31st, 2012
You have finally settled into your new home, career is booming, glowing newlywed, and you are expecting. Everything is going smoothly, until it comes time to make room for baby in your new home. Didn’t plan on expecting so suddenly? Now is the time for shopping for the perfect crib, the safest car seat and stroller bundle, plugging in safety plugs and pulling all other safety measures. What else is there to be done? Finding the perfect bathing tub or products for making sure baby is nice and clean.
The pediatrician decides to add in extra pressure to the preparations with a list of precautions, especially when it comes to hygiene for baby. There can be any precautions from the tub you use to the soap you use. For the first few days, baby gets a sponge bath. How do you expect to give baby a sponge bath? Well I say that you use a baby bathing bowl!
The benefits of the baby bowl are the unique design to comfort your little one during that first at home bath, making the experience enjoyable for both parent and infant.
It was designed custom by A.S.S.T. and St. Joseph’s Hospital in Towson, MD Birthing Center. This is the perfect solution to making new mothers comfortable with birthing their babies for the first time.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us:
Phone number 717.630.1251 or Website http://asst.com/
Tags: Baby Bathing Bowl, Baby Safety, Bathing Baby, New Baby Ideas, Preparing for Baby
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
May 24th, 2012
At A.S.S.T., we use Corian for everything from our modular vanities and custom wall panels to our bathroom partitioning systems and even our custom sculptures.
The History of Corian
More than 30 years ago, DuPont came up with a revolutionary way to blend natural materials and acrylic resin. The result: Corian, a unique solid surface product. With the help of thermoforming, Corian can be molded and formed into almost any form that you can imagine.
The Benefits of Corian
- Corian is Durable: Since colors and patterns run all the way through Corian, you do not have to worry about them fading or wearing away.
- Corian is Easy to Clean: Since Corian is non-porous, it is resistant to stains.
- Corian is Hygienic: Since Corian is non-pours, it is resistant to the growth of mold and mildew.
- Corian is Scratch Resistant: Not only is Corian scratch resistant, but is damage does occur, it is easily repairable.
- Corian is Completely Renewable: Corian is environmentally friendly.
- Corian is Non-Toxic: Corian is one of the least toxic materials around.
- Corian is Heat Resistant: You don’t have to worry about Corian burning when exposed to heat. This is why Corian is often utilized as a countertop material.
Virtually seamless Corian and A.S.S.T. combine to create subtle, inviting backdrops for any environment, whether it is a retail, education, entertainment, corporate, or even a healthcare venue.
For more information on our Corian please visit our website or give us a call. A.S.S.T. is your one stop supplier for your next commercial interior architectural project.
If you have a project that you would like us to bid on or have questions about whether or not we can provide you the product you are looking for please contact us and we would be happy to answer your questions or provide you with a quote.
You can reach A.S.S.T. by calling 717.630.1251 or click here today!
Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn!
Tags: acrylic resin, Bathroom Partitioning Systems, benefits of Corian, Corian, custom sculptures, Custom wall panels, environmentally friendly, Heat-resistant, History of Corian, modular vanities, Scratch Resistant, Thermoforming
Posted in Bathroom Partitioning Systems, Corian, Countertops, Modular Vanities | No Comments »
May 16th, 2012
Whether you own or operate a restaurant, health care facility, school, office building, or retail store, your walls take a beating. They are continually scuffed, scratched, marked, and just plain abused. And no matter how often you scrub these unsightly blemishes away, they just reappear in a day or two…
There has to be a better way!
A.S.S.T. Custom Wall Panels
Wall paneling is a cost-effective way to add aesthetic value to your building while protecting against typical bumps, knocks and scrapes as well as from larger accidental physical contact. The protection you will receive with custom wall paneling is unparalleled. Plus, wall panels make the cleaning process a breeze.
Benefits of Wall Panels
- Custom Made: A.S.S.T. can fabricate your custom wall panels to fit your style.
- Protection: Walls in high traffic areas like schools, office buildings, restaurants, and libraries tend to be scuffed, scratched and damaged. A.S.S.T. custom wall paneling can protect your walls.
- Aesthetics: A.S.S.T. wall panels can be made to blend in, accent, or add to any existing décor.
- Cleaning: Your new custom A.S.S.T. wall paneling is easy to clean and maintain, giving your building a cleaner look and feel.
If your building needs some added protection in a high-traffic area, A.S.S.T.’s wall panels are the answer. Our on-site workshop can produce the right panel in virtually any color or size.
For more information on A.S.S.T. Custom Wall Panels please visit our website or give us a call. A.S.S.T. is your one stop supplier for your next commercial interior architectural project.
If you have a project that you would like us to bid on or have questions about whether or not we can provide you the product you are looking for please contact us and we would be happy to answer your questions or provide you with a quote.
You can reach A.S.S.T. by calling 717.630.1251 or click here today!
Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn!
Tags: A.S.S.T., benefits of wall panels, Commercial Interior Architectural Project, Custom wall panels, health care facility, Improving Aesthetics, office building, protect your walls, restaurant, school, wall paneling, Wall Panels
Posted in Aesthetically Pleasing Educational Environments, Aesthetically Pleasing Healthcare Facilities, Aesthetically Pleasing Office Design, Aesthetically Pleasing Restaurant Design, Aesthetically Pleasing Retail Design, Office Aesthetics, Restaurant Design, Wall Panels | No Comments »
May 10th, 2012
From everyone here at A.S.S.T., we would like to thank all of the hardworking teachers out there. We wish you all a very happy Teacher Appreciation Week! So in honor of teacher appreciation week, we at A.S.S.T. decided to focus this week’s blog on how to create a positive and productive learning environment.
Tips for Improving the Classroom, Fostering a Better Learning Environment
- Good learning starts with good educational materials. Unfortunately, with budget cuts, this part is somewhat out of your control. What you can do, however, is come up with creative and visually appealing ways to stimulate your students.
- Stay positive. Showing your students a positive attitude will give them confidence and help foster a positive feeling towards education.
- Create an aesthetically physical learning environment
The Physical Learning Environments Impact on a Student’s Ability to Learn and Retain Information
- Poor Conditions: Poor physical conditions send students strong signals that they aren’t worth it and that education is a dead end.
- Positive Conditions: When used in conjunction with effective teaching methods (Thanks again Teachers!), a positive and nurturing physical environment can promote learning and improve recall and attention by as much as 80%.
How A.S.S.T. can Help Create a more Stimulating Physical Learning Environment
A.S.S.T.’s products and services are the perfect fit for educational buildings and locations that require wall panels, solid surface counters, shower surrounds, bathroom partitions and more. In addition, we’re capable of producing high-quality casework for everything from the reception room to the science laboratory. The materials we use are durable and easy to clean and come in a variety of colors and patterns.
For more information on our Education Surfaces please visit our website or give us a call. A.S.S.T. is your one stop supplier for your next commercial interior architectural project.
You can reach A.S.S.T. by calling 717.630.1251 or click here today!
A.S.S.T.’s state-of-the-art plant is geared toward creating solutions for the commercial construction market. As a leader in solid surface fabrication, A.S.S.T. builds beauty that lasts.
Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn!
Sources:
Classroom Environment
Tags: A.S.S.T., Better Learning Environment, Education Surfaces, educational buildings, improve recall and attention, Improving the Classroom, Physical Learning Environment, Physical Learning Environments, Productive Learning Environment, promote learning, Student, Teacher Appreciation Week
Posted in Aesthetically Pleasing Educational Environments, Aesthetics and Education, Positive Learning Environment | No Comments »
May 2nd, 2012
What is thermoforming?
Well, thermoforming is the process of heating and molding temperature-sensitive materials to create a new, usable product. This process uses sheets of a polymer called thermoplastic, which is heated to increase pliability. Once the desired level of heat is met, the material is molded by one of three methods:
Vacuum Thermoforming: the sheet of material is laid on a concave mold and pulled inward to adhere to the shape of the mold with vacuum pressure. Tiny holes in the mold provide the suction, without affecting the shape of the finished product
Pressure Thermoforming: the sheet is laid on a convex mold shape and pressed down on the mold
Mechanical Thermoforming: uses a machine to press the sheet into a concave mold with a convex mold, pressing the sheet between the two molds.
Once the thermoplastic cools, it once again becomes extremely hard. Common products made by thermoforming include bathtubs, shower stalls and boat hulls.
A.S.S.T. and Thermoforming
A.S.S.T. is willing to do what others avoid as we go Beyond Surface Level Solutions.
Our state-of-the-art plant is geared toward creating solutions for the commercial construction market. As a leader in solid surface fabrication A.S.S.T. builds beauty that lasts. We employ several techniques that we feel give us that competitive edge over other companies, including thermoforming.
For more information on Thermoforming and what A.S.S.T. can do for you please visit our website or give us a call. We are your one stop supplier for your next commercial interior architectural project. Contact us to see what we can provide for you by calling 717.630.1251 or click here today!
Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn!
Tags: A.S.S.T., commercial construction market, Commercial Interior Architectural Project, Mechanical Thermoforming, Pressure Thermoforming, solid surface fabrication, Thermoplastic, Vacuum Thermoforming, What is Thermoforming
Posted in Thermoforming | No Comments »
April 27th, 2012
Did you ever hear the saying…”your right hand doesn’t know what your left hand is doing”? People tend to use that saying to describe a state of confusion. Many times I use it to describe the construction industry. Don’t get me wrong, I live and breathe the construction industry and am positive about the industry’s condition today and in the future.
Here’s a right hand/left hand example. We are working on a project where the design called for the ceiling to be filled with HVAC equipment leaving no room for the lighting fixtures. Not a good situation. How the conflict arose might never be known. What is certain is that the complexities of design changes to please an owner and mechanical requirements to provide a climate controlled building created a conflict. Everyone was working with the best of intentions, yet the design remained in conflict with reality. With more collaboration, I think these types of events can be discovered and resolved in the preconstruction and budgeting phase of projects.
At A.S.S.T., we help our customers deal with problems like this all the time. Not just to solve the existing problem but to prevent problems from happening in the future.
The only way we can be real problem solvers though is if our customers bring us into the project earlier rather than later. That way, we may foresee a problem and suggest the use of 3D software. Or, we may suggest an innovative product like Sculptcor, made from Corian. A.S.S.T. is the only manufacturer of Sculptcor where we use a unique process to apply heat and pressure to the Corian to give it a 3 dimensional surface. The result is an exciting, textured and durable surface that will endure for many years. If we are brought in early, we can let the right hand know what the left hand is planning so that both hands can work together.
If you know other right hand/left hand examples from the construction industry, please let me know at russberry@asst.com.
You can reach Russ Berry at A.S.S.T. by calling 717.630.1251 or click here today!
Russ Berry is President of A.S.S.T. and ISFA – International Surface Fabricators Association.
A.S.S.T.’s state-of-the-art plant is geared toward creating solutions for the commercial construction market. As a leader in solid surface fabrication A.S.S.T. builds beauty that lasts.
Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn!
Tags: A.S.S.T., commercial construction market, Commercial Interior Architectural Project, construction inductry, construction problems, Corian, corporate, cost-effective, Custom wall panels, design problems, Durable, Easy-to-clean, innovation, solid surface fabrication, solid surface industry, Stain resistant, State of the art, state-of-the-art plant, textured surfaces, Thermoforming
Posted in Corian, Office Aesthetics, Sculptcor Benefits, Solid Surface, Thermoforming, Wall Panels | No Comments »
April 25th, 2012
When it comes to running a restaurant, two things matter above all else.
- Good Food: Without good food, no one will come back to your restaurant.
- Aesthetics / Restaurant Design: Even great food cannot makeup for an ugly restaurant. Your business will struggle without an aesthetically pleasing area in which to serve your customers.
Your restaurant design needs to be functional, appealing to the eye, and so much more!
- Effective Restaurant Design Sets the Mood: More than anything else, your restaurant design dictates the atmosphere of your restaurant. Do you want your restaurant to be romantic? Do you want your restaurant to be more modern? Do you want customers to come and go quickly, maximizing the amount of people you serve? You can accomplish all of this with effective restaurant design.
- Effective Restaurant Design Targets your Key Demographic: How your building is designed will dictate your clientele.
- Effective Restaurant Design = Repeat Business: What makes the perfect restaurant? Great food and a great atmosphere. Give your customers those two things and they will continue to come back for more!
A.S.S.T. can help.
Our knowledge and extensive background working with clients in the restaurant industry has taught us how to work with designers and architects to create a venue that goes above and beyond our client’s expectations. A.S.S.T. can create decorative, attention getting walls, floors, wall panels, wood veneer casework and custom trim for your restaurant’s dining room.
You can count on A.S.S.T. to provide premium decorative finishes to make your Restaurant look its best. We’re also experts at building and installing bars and other service areas.
For more information on Aesthetically Pleasing Restaurant Design, please visit our website or give us a call. A.S.S.T. is your one stop supplier for your next commercial interior architectural project.
If you have a project that you would like us to bid on or have questions about whether or not we can provide you the product you are looking for please contact us and we would be happy to answer your questions or provide you with a quote.
You can reach A.S.S.T. by calling 717.630.1251 or click here today!
A.S.S.T.’s state-of-the-art plant is geared toward creating solutions for the commercial construction market. As a leader in solid surface fabrication A.S.S.T. builds beauty that lasts.
Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn!
Tags: A.S.S.T., Aesthetically Pleasing Restaurant Design, Aesthetics, decorative finishes, dining room, Effective Restaurant Design, food industry, Key Demographic, perfect restaurant, Repeat Business, running a restaurant, ugly restaurant
Posted in Aesthetically Pleasing Restaurant Design, Restaurant Design | No Comments »
