Form Follows Fun: Design Options in Modern Ceiling and Wall Systems

Tessellated ceilings and walls take advantage of new technologies; metal and wood panels can be almost any shape, size, or finish, while contributing to LEED and offering a variety of sustainability opportunities.
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Sponsored by Ceilings Plus
Nancy Mercolino and Michael Chusid, RA, FCSI

Sustainable Materials

Modern ceiling and wall systems can contribute to a number of different credits under the US Green Building Council's LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program. These panel systems are high in recycled content, low in VOC's, can utilize wood from sustainably managed forests, and do not support mold growth, among other things.

The focus of the LEED system places great emphasis on sustainable jobsite practices; minimizing jobsite waste is one example. The nature of shop-fabricated materials such as ceiling and wall panels makes them fall outside the rules for certain jobsite-focused LEED credits, even though they may achieve the same sustainable goals. For example, CNC fabrication minimizes material waste, and nearly all of the waste is recyclable. Although it will not contribute to a LEED point in that regard, it is still worthy of consideration in a conscientiously sustainable design.

A project currently under construction in upstate New York, Kaplan Hall at Orange County Community College, Newburgh, NY, illustrates the inclusion of lightweight ceiling systems to help meet LEED goals. The owner requires LEED certification for the project, but designers JMZ Architects and Planners, Glens Falls, NY are, in fact, hoping to achieve the more ambitious LEED Silver certification. Their selection of ceiling panel systems figures into this plan.

According to designer Karin Kilgore-Green, AIA, LEED AP, and Principal of JMZ, the wood veneers on ceilings in Kaplan's 200-seat community room were specified as FSC certified to contribute to MR Credit 7, Certified Wood. It is a part of part of their larger plan that also includes FSC certified doors, casework, and other veneered surfaces.

Recycled content is also a focus of the project. Both the ceilings in the community room and the metal-finish ceilings in the grand central hall and stairway will contribute to MR Credit 4.2 Recycled Content, the more stringent 20% level, which contributes 2 LEED points if certified. Completion is expected in Nov. 2010.

Potential contributions to LEED credits from lightweight wood and metal ceiling and wall systems include:

Recycled Material Content. Panels can be made containing up to 85 percent recycled aluminum, including as much as 75 percent post-consumer recycled content. Steel used in ceiling suspension systems can have between 25 percent and 30 percent recycled material content.

Local/Regional Materials. Can apply for projects within 500 miles of factory. However, when required, production facilities can be set up close to the job - in essence portable factories - at job sites around the world. Aluminum is often produced from locally collected beverage containers. The light weight of aluminum panels also mitigates some of the environmental burden of shipping.

Rapidly Renewable Materials. Bamboo and fast-growing reconstituted wood veneers are available.
Certified Wood. Veneers can be specified from sustainably-managed forests.

Low-Emitting Materials, Composite Wood. Wood veneer panels are available that contain no added urea formaldehyde resins.

Commissioning. Ceilings and walls can be made fully accessible to simplify maintenance and adjustment of the building systems.

Energy Performance. Finishes with high light reflectance values optimize energy required for lighting. They are also easy to clean to prevent lighting degradation.

Indoor Air Quality and Ventilation: High-quality air diffusers and ventilation devices can be integrated into ceilings, offering both high performance and a tailored appearance.

Mold Prevention. Aluminum panels do not support the growth of mold or other microorganisms and can be readily cleaned.

Low Emitting Ceiling and Wall Systems. Finishes are available that meet VOC (volatile organic compounds)criteria of Section 1350.

Construction IAQ Management. Off-site fabrication reduces on-site cutting and finishing. Typical aluminum and wood veneer panels do not contain frangible materials that release fibers.

Daylight & Views.Use curved ceiling panels to create light scoops at clerestory glazing. Reflective finishes help make the most of natural lighting.

Enhance Acoustical Performance. Perhaps the most important factor in greening a building is to provide an environment in which people can perform at their best. The acoustical properties of a properly designed ceiling and wall system can help tune acoustics to provide an optimum acoustic environment for the intended use of the building.

Beyond LEED credits, there are a variety of sustainability opportunities associated with the new panel systems.

Aluminum ceiling and wall panels have up to 85% recycled content, including up to 75% post-consumer content. The material can be endlessly recycled without loss of metallurgical value.

Image courtesy of Ceilings Plus

Prefinishing Eliminates VOCs. Where LEED recognizes reduction of jobsite VOCs, panel system finishes can now be made that eliminate all VOCs. Ultraviolet-cured coatings for wood have zero VOCs. Paint finish manufacturing lines can be equipped with solvent recovery systems to capture VOCs.

Prefabrication Reduces Waste. LEED recommends management of jobsite waste; Prefabricated systems eliminate it by pre-cutting to size and for penetrations, and we recycling all trimmings.

Reduced Dead Load. Light weight of ceiling and wall panels reduces dead load. This reduces materials consumed to support panel system directly, and may reduce consumption of load-bearing materials throughout the structure. This is an especially important consideration (from a structural standpoint as well) in remodeling projects that may not have included suspended ceiling loads in the original designs.

Designed for Reuse. Mineral fiber panels discolor and are too fragile for reuse; metal and wood panels resist damage, can be cleaned or repainted, and can be salvaged intact.

Life-Cycle Assessment. Aluminum panels retain high salvage value and can be recycled repeatedly without loss of metallurgical value.

Panels for tesselated designs can take advantage of their inherent property of "fitting together" to minimize environmental impacts. Careful layout of raw materials minimizes cutting waste. Even unusual shapes can be shipped efficiently by designing custom palettes that conform to the tiling characteristics of the design. The palettes maximize utilization of shipping space by "filling the surface."

Tessellated panels can nest compactly, reducing materials required for packaging and the space required for shipping.

Photo courtesy of Ceilings Plus

 

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Originally published in Architectural Record
Originally published in June 2010

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