At first, we just wanted to create a sink in the center of the office. But when we heard that the entire floor would have to be demolished because there was no drain, we almost gave up.
At MyPump, they didn’t just sell drainage pumps; they reviewed the entire setup including ceiling water supply and drainage connections, base cabinet configuration, and storage for water heaters and gas tanks.
We were especially satisfied with the method of placing the water supply and drainage pipes inside a stainless steel pipe running up to the ceiling. From the outside, it looked like a design pillar rather than plumbing, keeping the filming frame clean and neat.
The Saniswift installed under the sink operates automatically when water is used, and despite no floor drainage work, the water drains naturally.
Thanks to the small electric water heater installed in the central base cabinet, washing dishes and cooking utensils became more convenient.
The best part is that we created a fully functional cooking space exactly where we wanted without damaging the space. Another big advantage is that if we move later, we can dismantle the counter and restore the original space.
Now, this space is used not only for product videos and recipe content but also for live broadcasts and demonstrations for clients. The single cooking counter has become more than just furniture—it’s a new sales space.
Success Story: Completing an Island Counter for Cooking Videos in a Commercial Office Without Floor Drains
A food brand operating a commercial office decided to create a new cooking video shooting space for product promotion.
Previously, they only took simple product photos and shots of finished dishes, but as online sales increased, video content showing actual cooking processes and usage became increasingly important. Especially for short videos and live commerce, an independent island counter in the center of the shooting space was necessary to naturally show cooking scenes.
However, during the space review, an unexpected problem was discovered.
The location planned for the island counter had no water supply or drainage, and to build a sink conventionally, the floor would have to be excavated to embed water supply and drainage pipes.
If floor demolition proceeded, additional costs would arise not only for construction but also for noise, dust, waste disposal, and floor finishing restoration. The bigger issue was that since it was a leased commercial space, landlord approval was required, and restoration costs would have to be borne when moving out.
Inquiries to several equipment companies mostly resulted in answers like “installation is difficult without floor work.”
The client began searching for a way to install the island counter without damaging the space instead of the conventional method.
At that time, they requested a consultation with MyPump asking, “Is it possible to install a sink in the center of an office without floor drains?”
MyPump didn’t just recommend drainage pump models; they reviewed the actual shooting space structure, counter location, ceiling internal facilities, and even camera movement paths.
Upon site inspection, they found connection points inside the ceiling for existing water supply pipes and drainage pipes at a certain distance for wastewater connection.
Based on this, a new method utilizing the ceiling instead of the floor was proposed.
A stainless steel pipe was vertically connected from one corner of the counter up to the ceiling, with both the water supply and drainage discharge pipes placed inside it.
From the outside, it looked like a single smooth stainless steel pillar, but inside, approximately 20mm water supply and 30mm drainage pipes were independently installed.
While water supply could be delivered downward from the ceiling, water from the sink could not naturally flow upward to the ceiling.
To solve this, an SFA Saniswift wastewater pump was installed in the base cabinet directly below the sink bowl.
Water used in the sink flows through a drainage trap into the Saniswift, which automatically activates the pump when a certain water level is reached to pressurize and send the water upward toward the ceiling drain.
The drainage pipe was connected inside the stainless steel vertical pipe, hidden from under the counter. As a result, no water supply or drainage pipes were visible externally, and the counter’s underside was neatly finished like custom cabinetry.
The client’s biggest concern was the noise from the drainage pump.
MyPump applied vibration-damping pads under the pump and used cushioning structures at pipe connections to reduce vibration. The pump was also installed directly under the sink to minimize unnecessarily long inlet piping.
Actual filming tests showed that the pump operated briefly only when water was used and did not significantly affect normal conversation or filming audio.
During video shoots, washing ingredients and cooking tools was necessary, so using only cold water was inconvenient.
To address this, a small electric water heater was installed in the central base cabinet under the counter.
The cold water pipe coming down from the ceiling was branched, with one line connected directly to the sink faucet and the other supplying the electric water heater. Heated water from the heater was connected to a mixing faucet allowing users to adjust between cold and hot water.
The water heater and Saniswift were installed in separate base cabinet compartments. Each front door could be opened independently for leak checks or maintenance.
A stainless steel drip tray box was fabricated under the water heater, and discharge water from the safety valve was collected and connected to the drainage pump system.
After applying this setup, the client could immediately wash greasy cooking tools and dishes with warm water during filming.
The island counter’s countertop included a sink bowl and a two-burner gas range.
The sink was placed on the left side of the countertop and the gas range on the right, allowing a natural workflow from washing ingredients to preparation and cooking in one direction.
A separate storage space for the gas tank was created under the gas range.
This area was separated from the Saniswift and electric water heater compartments and equipped with ventilation openings on the bottom and sides. Internal fixtures were installed to secure the gas tank and prevent movement.
The gas hose line was not exposed under the counter but connected only inside the gas range’s lower cabinet. As a result, no gas hoses or pipes were visible in behind-the-scenes filming.
However, during actual installation, the usability of indoor gas tanks and building management standards were confirmed, and alternatives such as a two-burner induction cooktop were also reviewed if needed.
The basic dimensions of the island counter were planned as 2,400mm wide, 900mm deep, and 900mm high.
The length was secured longer than typical kitchen counters to create approximately 600mm of workspace between the sink and gas range.
This central space was used not only for ingredient preparation and plating but also as the main stage for placing products during filming.
The countertop was made of STS304 stainless steel with a matte hairline finish. Highly reflective stainless steel can cause bright spots from filming lights, so a matte surface was applied to reduce reflections.
The front and sides were finished as flat and simple as possible. Handles were recessed or push-type instead of protruding, so the background in videos did not look cluttered.
The Ø60mm stainless steel pipe running from one corner of the counter to the ceiling was not just a pipe cover but a design element of the space.
In the filming frame, it appeared like a metal pillar supporting the counter, adding an industrial design accent to the studio atmosphere.
After installation was complete, the client filmed their first cooking video using a new sauce product.
Previously, filming was frequently interrupted because they had to move between the wall sink and cooking area, but with the new island counter, washing, preparation, cooking, and plating could all be done in one place.
Cameras could move freely in front, beside, and above the counter, and no pipes or hoses were exposed from any angle.
When water was used in the sink, the Saniswift automatically drained it, and warm water was immediately available through the electric water heater.
The filming team rated the reduction in unnecessary movement and waiting time during cooking as the biggest advantage.
Previously, multiple takes of various scenes were needed to complete a 3-minute video, but after installing the island counter, most of the cooking process could be filmed continuously in one space.
After the new shooting space was completed, the client increased video production from once a week to three times a week.
They began producing not only simple product introduction videos but also actual recipe videos, product comparison videos, cooking tip content, and live commerce broadcasts.
Consumers showed more interest in videos that included the actual cooking process than in photos of finished dishes.
After installing the island counter, the client added cooking videos to their online store’s product pages and saw increased dwell time and inquiry volume for products featuring videos.
The shooting space was also used to invite external clients and partners for product demonstrations.
During new product launches, they could explain while cooking directly at the counter, and small cooking classes and influencer collaboration shoots were also conducted.
Ultimately, what started as a simple project to install a sink and gas range became a core facility for continuously producing brand content.
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