Established over 70 years ago, London based fabricators Abplas pride themselves on decades of problem solving and bespoke solutions for their wide variety of customers. That said, they have never been asked to transform a piano into a working stage before now!
That was the challenge set to them when the London Function Band approached the team with their design concept. The idea was to clad a metal frame with Perspex® acrylic and transform it into a functioning grand piano complete with a performance stage on top.
Following discussions with the band around the functionality and aesthetics required for the piano, the Abplas fabrication team recommended fitting a gloss white 10mm Perspex Acrylic CNC cut panel for the stage area providing strength and scratch resistance to the surface – and importantly the ability for band members to entertain the crowd from the new stage. Using some smart fabrication techniques, an additional 10mm lip was added to the perimeter of the stage to give the appearance of a more substantial 20mm thickness floor but at half the weight.
With the piano being regularly transported to different event venues it was imperative that it was resilient to damage. As such, the team also chose Palopaque white solid PVC for the curved sides. Solid PVC is incredibly strong and can withstand heavy impacts without cracking – it is also very malleable for fabrication of curves such as those on the piano edge.
The success of the project was echoed in the glowing testimonial from Nathan Watson of the London Function Band. “We can’t recommend Abplas enough for the incredible job they did on our piano! From start to finish the customer service was perfect and the recommendations on what materials to use to, get the best results, were very helpful indeed. We are 100 percent coming back for another one in the new year as no one else compares.”
This case study showcases the Abplas commitment to collaboration, innovation, and delivering exceptional results. The successful transformation of a metal frame into a visually striking and functional piano stage underscores the company's expertise in recommending and utilising the right materials for bespoke projects.
To find out more about the wide range of services and view their project portfolio visit www.abplas.co.uk.
The London Function band can also be found at www.thelondonfunctionband.com.