Steely resolve

To ensure the new prison maintains its clean, untarnished appearance careful consideration was given to robust material finishes. Tata Steel was asked to supply specialty stainless steel for key high-traffic areas.

Tata Steel provided 5WL textured-finish stainless steel sheets for the lift doors and lift car interiors on the Visits building and in the prisoner accommodation blocks, says product manager David van Beusekom.

"The textured metal surface is extremely durable and resistant to knocks, scrapes and attempts to graffiti its surface. Other advantages include improved optical flatness and reduced glare all together, making this surface an appropriate choice for this application at the Mt Eden Corrections Facility.

"Besides keeping the lifts looking good, the strength and durability of the patterned finishes will save the prison money that would otherwise be spent on maintenance and replacement costs. Textured stainless steel has been used in the public sector for over 40 years for claddings, lifts, interiors, shop fit-outs, and benchtops."

In addition, Tata Steel supplied the stainless steel sheet for the communal area tables and inmate desks. This was cut to length to avoid wastage and the stainless steel was then fabricated into rounded corners for safety reasons.

Stainless steel is well suited to the prison environment in other ways, too being corrosion resistant, noncombustible and hygienic.

Tata Steel International

7 Bruce Roderick Drive, East Tamaki, Auckland 2013Phone (09) 271 1780 Fax (09) 271 1999www.tatasteelnz.com architecture@tatasteelnz.com

Story by: Trendsideas