Drainage and water management systems can now be integrated into a building’s aesthetic, thanks to a new customer-led bespoke grating design solution from ACO.
ACO Freestyle now gives architects and property owners the freedom to create fully-bespoke drainage grating designs that integrate into the overall design of the building envelope and surrounding space. From the inclusion of bespoke logos or specific patterns, to the design of sleek gratings that blend into both a building or setting – be it historic or modern – the new service gives a level of freedom in draingae design.
With customer design at the heart of the offering, ACO Freestyle begins with the owner or architect submitting a design to ACO, which then creates a design model from this template. Templates are available to download from the ACO website to help in this process and once approved, the design is tooled, before the gratings are manufactured from ductile iron and delivered directly to site.
As well as having the opportunity to design unique gratings, potential customers also have access to a number of pre-moulded options, to add a distinctive twist to any landscaped area. Crucially, all grating designs are compatible with ACO’s MultiDrain and Multiline Sealin channels, which are built to D 400 load classification and incorporate ACO’s Drainlock boltless locking system for further security.
Will Allen, Marketing Manager for Civils + Infrastructure at ACO, comments: “In 21st century architecture, with the wealth of R&D and technical capability available, there is very little that is beyond the realms of possibility when it comes to designing buildings. While much of the focus has been on the building aesthetic, a similar level of creativity and precision can now be extended to the surrounding surface water management system.”
