Week 7

 Ceilings 

Gina Christopher 

CATHEDRAL CEILINGS/SLOPED CEILINGS 

A ceiling that conforms roughly to the pitch of the roof is known as a cathedral ceiling. Cathedral ceilings were made popular in the 1970's and provide a more spacious interior feeling than flat ceilings. The design challenge associated with the cathedral or sloped ceiling include integration of lighting, consideration for adequate heating and cooling, and creation of a sense of human scale within a space.

GYPSUM WALL BOARD 

Gypsum wall board is a directly applied ceiling that attaches to the building structure. this is the most common ceiling finish in residential environments. Gypsum can come from either a natural or synthetic source and requires a lot of energy to produce. It comes in sheet sizes; it can also produce a lot of waste when cut to fit a certain dimensional space. 

PLASTER

Plaster is applied in a three-coat system over lath. This finish was the primary wall and ceiling finish prior to the invention of wallboard. In historic buildings, the crown moldings and ceiling medallions in a room were also made of plaster and could be applied as a part of the plastering finish coat. 

SUSPENDED ACOUSTICAL PANEL CEILINGS (SAPC)

SAPC is the preferred ceiling treatment in commercial environments. The primary reasons for this are: the acoustical ceiling provided noise control in large spaces, and the suspended system allows for ductwork, sprinkler, and electrical wiring to occur above the visible ceiling system. The standard sizes for SAPC are 2 feet by 2 feet and 2 feet by 4 feet. Acoustic ceiling tiles are supported by a grid system that is either exposed T-bar, recessed T-bar, or concealed grid. Low-density ceiling materials include fiberglass or mineral fiber. Ceiling materials with low or no VOCs are available from a variety of manufacturers These contribute to good indoor air quality because they do not off glass. Ceiling systems with a high light reflectivity reduce the amount of artificial lighting required and reduce overall energy consumption within a space.

DROPPED CEILING SECTIONS 

A ceiling grid can hold other types of ceiling tiles in addition to acoustical panels. These include both wood and metal tiles. It should be noted that these materials absorb far less sound than the SAPC system unless specifically designed as an acoustical tile. Metal tiles are often directly applies to the plaster or drywall using screws. Wood ceiling tiles can also be used when a wood ceiling is desired. Wood is often used to provide the appearance of warmth in a space.  

EXPOSED MECHANICAL CEILING 

Sometimes designer want to expose the structure of the ceiling to achieve either a rustic appearance or an industrial interior. Lighting and mechanical system must be integrated carefully in such an application because all wiring and ductwork is exposed. When structural steel is left exposed, it is subject to both rust and fire. Wood beams are commonly left exposed in certain applications. AS with steel beams, careful attention to fire prevention and control must be taken into consideration. 

CEILING SHAPES 

In addition to cathedral ceilings, other ceiling shapes may be used. Vaulted ceilings ten to be used in more traditional interiors and public budlings such as museums, churches, banks, and government buildings. A barrel vault can be used to enhance any rectangular space by adding height and form to a space, these are also seen in more traditional budlings. The dome also provides a central emphasis within a space. 

vaulted ceiling

barrel vaulted ceiling

dome 

INTERIOR DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

One of the most important things than an interior designer must do is to make sure that they have coordinated the proposed lighting design and layout with mechanical, sprinkler, and ceiling-mounted equipment such as LCD projectors. It is also important for an interior designer to consider the acoustical control of a ceiling. Interior designers use the ceiling plane to delineate space, assist in wayfinding, and enhance the overall conceptual approach of the design intent. 

SUSTAINABILITY OPTIONS 

Som ceiling manufactures have created product-reclamation programs. Sustainable ceiling materials options include mineral fiber, metal, and wood. Ceilings with low or no VOCs contribute to green building rating systems by providing for better indoor air quality. Materials that have a low carbon footprint and contain recycled content and can be recycled or reclaimed at the end of their lifecycle are considered sustainable. 

EXAMPLES OF CEILING SYSTEMS 

ARKTURA'S DECORATIVE CEILING TILES 

All of these ceiling designs are from the brand Arktura. They create decorative ceiling tiles that are customizable to the design intent of a project. I really like these drop ceiling applications because they are all are unique and eye-catching. Considering brands like Arktura is important when commercial designing, I may use this brand for my office design in studio!

GLASS CEILINGS 

I also really enjoy glass ceiling designs. Glass ceilings are a good application when you need to get more light into a space. They provide a central design statement and create a sense of openness. Although I like the look and benefits of glass ceilings, they can be expensive to install and difficult to maintain.