Guidance on how to balance clever and innovative design with the need for good performance is contained in a new brochure on island or canopy ceilings from leading UK building interior solutions provider Armstrong Ceilings.
The 52-page guide details how, in developing its range of mineral, wood, resin and metal island ceilings which provide modern monolithic designs, Armstrong has taken inspiration from the challenges generated by current trends.
These include the need for flexible work spaces (with canopies easy to relocate), acoustic comfort (with high levels of sound absorption from both the front and the reverse surfaces), visual comfort (with high light reflectance for bright, energy efficient interiors), contemporary solutions compatible with thermal mass constructions, in large open plan areas and where exposed concrete soffits are used to provide free cooling, all while keeping simplicity and functionality a priority.
The brochure is a stunning example of how Armstrong has evolved from its origins in standard mineral ceiling tiles to an Atelier* approach where multi-material solutions combine with specialist design and technical service delivery to provide an invaluable aid for designers to engineer creative and technical designs into inspirational spaces.
Products featured include Axiom C canopies as used at Harton Technology College, Infusions resin canopies at the Splash Leisure Centre in Stockton on Tees, customised Axiom canopies with wood tiles at Clongowes Wood College in Ireland, printed Optima canopies at PizzaExpress in Richmond, London, and Ultima and Optima ceiling and wall canopies at the Bishopsgate Institute in London.
A major feature of the guide is information on Armstrongs enhanced capabilities in the areas of new products such as wood canopies, Optima shapes and modular circle Axiom canopies as well as new design capabilities such as metal wave modules, fabric and stretch ceilings.
But it also details Armstrongs playing field and environmental commitment in the office, retail, transport and education sectors, and the individual performance characteristics of the individual canopies and modular systems.
Information is also given on how each Armstrong island project begins with an in-depth, one-on-one consultation with the specifier or main contractor and how technical support and product recommendations are made once the company understands the design, functionality and performance requirements of the space.
Some of these, such as maximising natural daylight, minimising noise pollution, optimising the thermal environment and recycling are also elements of Armstrongs environmental commitment.
Working to the design brief, Armstrongs service team creates CAD drawings bespoke to the project which detail aspects such as ceiling layout, views and perspectives. These details are then used to engineer a production schedule, along with any specific installation instructions that may be required at this early stage.
A tailored logistics plan is devised for the specialist contractor to maximise the benefits of JIT (Just-In-Time) implementation, and if they need Armstrong on site for additional guidance, site visits are organised. Armstrong continues to provide solutions if after completion, the project needs adapting or expanding.
View Suspended ceilings: Axiom Classic, Axiom Knife Edge, Optima, Optima L, Metal Baffles, Mineral Baffles, Curved Baffles Product Entry