Mesh metal ceiling systems from Armstrong have helped the UK’s second largest provider of office space and the designer of its first foray into London’s Tech City successfully move out of their respective comfort zones. Some 850m2 of Armstrong’s grey and black mesh metal ceiling tiles in Axiom knife-edge canopies were specified for an Avanta Serviced Offices’ business centre in Eagle House on City Road in East London by Category A and B designers Amalgam Studios.

The brief to concept designers Create, together with the Design and Build team Amalgam and Paragon, part of Interserve Plc, the international support services and construction group, was to produce an “industrial rustic vintage scheme” to reflect the building’s proximity to the iconic Old Street roundabout in Shoreditch and they have met this primarily be exposing all the M&E services and retaining the exposed structure of the existing internal fabric.

Previous users of Armstrong’s mineral tiles, they thought an open mesh ceiling would give an industrial feel that would complement that response for the spacious 4.5m high ceilings in the offices and meeting rooms … but it was a departure from the norm for Avanta. Amalgam director Carole Cobban said: “This approach was totally new for my client. All the M&E services were exposed – metal trays, AC units and pipework – so a metal mesh ceiling fitted in well with this concept. It was a major shift in aesthetics away from their more traditional approach to serviced office environments but they were very, very pleased with the end result.