Architect: Buttress Fuller Alsop Williams
Type of works: Installation of suspended wood linear ceiling in the shape of a wave.

An impressive Luxalon suspended solid wood linear ceiling designed in the shape of a wave has created a stunning finish over the swimming pool area of the recently completed £8million Abingdon Sports Centre in Oxfordshire.

The ceiling designed by architects Buttress Fuller Alsop Williams and supplied by Hunter Douglas Projects ceiling division is yet another example of the versatility of wood and its appeal to designers working on interior projects.

The ceiling which extended over the full expanse of the 25m length pool consisted of 700m² of American Yellow Poplar timber slats in a linear open system, fitted with a non-woven acoustic fleece with additional acoustic material fixed at the higher levels within the void to improve the overall acoustic absorption and reduce reverberation time.

The incorporation of a series of Glulam beams positioned at 3m intervals over the whole pool area made for an interesting interaction with the wood ceiling and further added to the overall aesthetic appeal of the project.

The sports centre, which is equipped with a range of facilities, also specified Hunter Douglas’s wood grill ceiling system in the corridor areas leading to and from the reception areas. Here the architects specified American Ash for the finish and incorporated recessed compact fluorescent downlights to support the natural light flow from the rooflights above.

The use of wood in interior projects such as these is becoming increasingly popular with designers who warm to its natural and sustainable qualities. It is particularly versatile in aggressive environments such as swimming pool areas where the effects of chemicals can have a devastating effect over time on many alternative products.

Company: Hunter Douglas
Web: http://www.hunterdouglas.co.uk

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