perforated tile look. It still has high acoustic
performance, with the panels able to absorb
low and mid frequency sound in the plenum
space, while the high frequencies are handled
by porous acoustic veilings. Combined with an
easy installation of screw attaching the panels
to a ceiling suspension system, the range is very
useful anywhere that noise is an issue.
Unwelcome sounds are perhaps even a
bigger issue in healthcare, where noises can be
deeply disturbing and the atmosphere highly
influential to the experience outcome.
Far from the institutionalised look of years
ago, healthcare now embraces the dual roles of
dramatic design and medical efficacy.
It’s a growing market not lost on Keystone
who have rolled out an antifungal, antimicrobial
additive that can be added to their ceiling (and
lining) products.
USG Boral offers a number of products for
sound absorption in this arena, including panels
designed to deaden that awful corridor chaos
and nurses’ station hub bub that disturbs both
patients and staff. Their USG Mars, Clima Plus
Healthcare also offers a high NCR rating as
well as antimicrobial performance, a welcome
additive to an area where contagion is more
than a movie title.
And again, the design from USG offers
design options, with its just-introduced range
of coloured panels that will help not just brighten
the atmosphere but will also serve to help
delineate areas and assist with traffic wayfinding.
Also in this arena is Décor Systems; their
product BioPanel is in demand for good
reason. Mitchell Faulkes from Décor Systems
explains. “Bacteria explodes when it reachesthe panel,” he says, going on to explain the ease
of application for clients. “It is a clear, invisible
coating so it does not affect the acoustic or
aesthetic qualities of the panels. It is perfect
for health and food related projects.”
BioPanel is applied to prefinished panels
before they leave the factory, essentially,
according to Mitchell, acting as a road spike
for any bacteria that lands on the panels.
Also in the Décor range is a very notable
acoustic ceiling product, DécorLini which has
an NCR rating of 9.1. Used by TKD Architects
in the design of the SCEGGS interim library
project, the two step ceiling level change is
deliciously curved into a wave form.
What may surprise some old school
designers is the flexibility offered by these
large, easy to install and effective panels.
The use of curves in design is particularly
useful in areas of stress such as healthcare
and education – with straight lines possibly
received by the human brain as threatening,
where the curve is, well, not.Ceiling design as
a Calming presenCeSo for those of us who fear scholastic failure,
and are filled with white hot dread at the
thought of surgery (or even a dental filling)
finding design planes gently folding above us
is a relief from stress.
However, sometimes you have to let the panic
go, and fill the void with delight at simply cool
design in an area where chic is all but absent.
In fact it is harder to imagine a less likely
place to discover monumental interior designthan in a dental surgery – yet there are superb
examples to be found, not the least of which is
The Urban Dentist in Germany.
Designed by Studio Karhard, The Urban
Dentist has the aesthetic of a cool bar, or top
end store. Concern for acoustic efficiency
have been clearly superseded by the desire
for a design experience, which in itself can be
uplifting for nervy clients.
Raw cement slabs, gleaming and exposed
HVAC channels are offset by fluted glass walls
and colour changing LED lights. The Studio
Karhard architects describe the atmosphere
as “industrial and indulgent”, with the raw
construction elements balanced out by lollipop
pinks and bold granite. The effect is to make
patients feel more like powerful, in control
clients than withering patients.Open-plan ClassrOOms are pOpular,
but what abOut the nOise?According to Knauf, open-plan, collaborative
learning spaces are on the rise in Australian
schools, and while this design trend has
advantages for students’ social development
and teamwork, open-plan classrooms tend to
be noisy. This can have a detrimental effect on
individual learning.
The ceiling is often the only surface that
lends itself to any form of acoustic control
in these large, open-plan spaces. Partitions,
furniture and other absorbing materials can
stop soundwaves from travelling at a low
level, but sound can often travel outwards and
upwards relatively undisturbed. With a flat
ceiling without any acoustical treatment, thereArchitecture & design /praCtiCal/ jul-sep 201953ADQ3_052_055_Ceilings_V3.indd 53 26/7/19 5:17 pm