AK to open anti-bacteria concept home
By Thomas Gnau,
Journal Business Writer, E-mail: tgnau@coxohio.com
In one sense, it’s a long way from Middletown.
In another sense, it’s right at home.
The AK Steel “concept home” just north of Los Angeles will open
its doors for a first public look — at least for writers and media
types — in October.
The 11,000-square-foot hillside home in the Simi Valley — named
“Camino De Robles,” Spanish for “Path of Oaks” — is being touted as
the nation’s first antimicrobial home, built with 200,000 pounds of
steel treated with an anti-bacterial coating.
Some of that steel was made in AK’s Middletown Works, AK Vice
President of Public Affairs Alan McCoy said, but he couldn’t say how
much. Steel for the home also came from AK plants in Coshocton and
Butler, Pa.
Journalists who journey up the mile-long driveway will be treated
to tours on Oct. 2. On the agenda is a meeting with Edward and
Madeleine Landry, who will move into the home next month, said Megan
Licursi, spokeswoman for the concept home.
Edward Landry is described by the home’s Web site — yes, the
house has its own Web site, www.akconcepthome.com — as a prominent
Los Angeles attorney.
Middletown-based AK entered into an agreement with Wakefield,
Mass.-based AgION Technologies Inc. in 1999 to develop a process
that protects steel and steel products from fungus, molds and other
microbes. The process can be applied to carbon and stainless steels,
both of which AK makes.
This California home’s antimicrobial steel can be found in its
roof, framing, stainless kitchen appliances, 6,000-bottle wine rack
and elsewhere, Licursi said.
“It’s striking,” said McCoy, who has seen the home.
The Landrys were planning the home when an AK employee, aware of
the company’s search for a way to showcase antimicrobial
capabilities, learned of those plans, the company said. That
employee was able to help bring AK and the Landrys together. “The
partnership was born,” the Web site said.
McCoy said AK wanted a home something like the home the Landrys
had in mind: low-maintenance, long-lasting and relying on steel
construction.
“The owners were intrigued by it,” McCoy said.
AK’s stock (NYSE: AKS) closed at $2.48 Wednesday, up 19 cents
from Tuesday’s close.
Published 08.21.03
