A New World of Acoustics
Case Study
Photos courtesy of Armstrong Ceiling and Wall Systems
Project: Offices of Francis Cauffman Architects
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Architect: Francis Cauffman Architects
Ceiling: Square acoustical ceiling tiles made with a Plant-based Binder Philadelphia architects are the first in the U.S. to install ceiling panels with a new plant-based binder
The challenge: This full-service architectural firm recently moved into larger quarters. The move to the new space provided the firm with the opportunity to design an efficient open plan workplace that would not only provide flexibility and support collaboration, but also address the firm's identity, mission, and commitment to sustainability.
The solution: To help meet its commitment to sustainable design in the space, the firm was the first in the country to install a ceiling product system that uses a new plant-based binder. The new fiberglass binder for these ceilings is bio-based and rapidly renewable. According to Design Principal, Kim Hong, “The introduction of the plant-based binder was important to our design team because it is free of formaldehyde resins, which results in healthier indoor environments.” She explains that due to the building's low ceiling height, the design team left circulation areas, such as corridors, exposed to the deck to gain height. The ceiling system was then used in all areas where acoustical and lighting performance was required. This resulted in the installation of over 9,000 square feet of the new panels in the open plan areas, conference areas, and a gathering space known as the Town Center.
Hong notes that a well-performing acoustical environment is also a contributor to indoor quality. And, in this respect, the new ceiling offered outstanding sound absorption properties for open spaces with a Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) of 0.95 and Articulation Class (AC) of 190. Light reflectance was another key consideration because of the extensive use of indirect lighting and the desire to extend natural daylight into the space. The new panels met that requirement with a high Light Reflectance value of 0.90.
Case Study
Photos courtesy of Armstrong Ceiling and Wall Systems
Project: Adena PACCAR Medical Education Center
Location: Chillicothe, OH
Architect: DesignGroup, Columbus, OH
Ceilings: Wood and metal panel systems with acoustical control Aesthetic and acoustic challenges are conquered by clouds at a new healthcare education facility.
The challenge: The spacious, three-story lobby of this new facility serves as the entrance to the building as well as a public space for community events. Because of the multi-purpose nature of the space, ceiling selection presented a unique challenge, especially considering the need to also stay within budget. “Aesthetically, we wanted to add warmth, and acoustically, we wanted to add sound absorption,” states Interior Designer, Alana Haslow.
The solution: To add warmth to the space, Haslow chose wood panel ceilings with a bamboo patina veneer. The 2' x 2' panels are installed in 16' x 12' ceiling clouds in those areas of the lobby where ceiling heights are relatively low. “Even though the lobby features an exposed metal structure,” she says, “we decided to use clouds because they allowed us to keep the aesthetic of the open plenum while providing the acoustic control we needed.” To attain the acoustic control, the ceiling panels are perforated and backed with a fiberglass infill pad.
Haslow had also planned to use wood ceilings in areas of the lobby where ceiling heights were relatively high, until cost considerations came into play. As an alternative, she selected metal panels that were fabricated with a maple finish. The metal ceiling imparts the look of wood, but at a cost much lower than real wood. Instead of being installed as horizontal clouds, however, the 10' x 10' metal ceiling clouds are at an angle to accent the slope of the roof. The metal ceilings contain micro-perforations to provide the desired acoustic control. “We felt the metal wood-look ceilings would create the same aesthetic and bring the same warmth to the space, and they have,” Haslow states. “Because of the height the metal ceilings are installed, it's virtually impossible to tell the difference between the metal and the real wood ceilings.”
Case Study
Photos courtesy of Armstrong Ceiling and Wall Systems
Project: Susquehanna Waldorf School
Location: Marietta, PA
Ceiling: Paintable acoustical ceiling Acoustical ceiling clouds absorb sound and feature one-of-a-kind original artwork
The challenge: Linda Heywood, a pre-kindergarten teacher at the Susquehanna Waldorf School, is always looking to introduce art into classrooms. “Young children just love color,” she says, “especially if it adds life to the room.”
The solution: To meet her artistic objective, Linda recently partnered with a ceiling manufacturer and, based on her artwork, created and installed a trio of acoustical ceiling clouds that absorb sound and feature one-of-a-kind original art—a watercolor painted by Heywood. This innovative manufactured ceiling product allow designers to capture unique images or custom colors onto ceiling panels. The custom art can be part of a wall-to-wall ceiling or clouds. Describing her ceiling art, Heywood explains that “Three-to five-year-olds are full of imagination, so I didn't want it to look like anything in particular, such as stars or the moon. Instead, I wanted it to be something that would open up all the possibilities of their young minds.”
Using Heywood's original artwork, three ceiling clouds were created – a 6' x 8' cloud suspended over the room's cooking/crafting area and two 6' x 6' clouds placed over play areas. “The installation of the clouds has added a whole new dimension to the room,” Heywood says. “Everyone is absolutely delighted with the result. And, to see my artwork transformed from a small sheet of paper to a large ceiling cloud is simply overwhelming.”
The clouds also enhanced the acoustic environment of the room. That's because the ceiling panels have a Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) of 0.70, meaning they absorb 70 percent of the sound that strikes them. “We can hear the difference,” she says. “It is definitely much quieter.” Acoustic measurements taken before and after installation of the clouds confirm the improvement. Even though the clouds only cover 17 percent of the room's area, reverberation time decreased 15 percent and the activity noise level decreased 5 decibels, allowing the teacher to speak in a quieter voice and still be heard.
Conclusion
Acoustics has become a rather well understood aspect of building design in terms of defining desirable sound conditions and how to measure and address concerns. Manufacturers of acoustical building products have used this information to understand that one design does not fit all conditions, but rather they offer a full range of visually and acoustically appropriate products to suit a wide range of design needs. Therefore, it is now easier and more needed than ever to take time during the design process to consider acoustical needs in all buildings. The multiple options available readily puts the architect in control of the level of acoustic performance in ceilings and entire spaces. At the same time, the visual appearance of these ceilings and spaces can be used to integrate with and enhance virtually any design.
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