A geometric pattern gives the room an elegant old-world feel.
by Ryan Bicek, AIA / Senior Associate
Much attention is given to the planning and material selection for walls and floors in the design process, but ceilings are an equally important element that should not be forgotten. When ceiling design is not considered, spaces can feel unfinished, unresolved, and lacking in detail.
In the project shown at left, we added painted trim banding to the ceiling in a geometric pattern giving the room an elegant old-world feel. Layers of wood trim work used at the perimeter walls frame the room and terminate the windows, doors, and wall paneling.
Ceiling panels soften acoustics.
Acoustic materials added to ceilings help enhance the sound quality of a space. Perforated wood or fabric panels backed with sound absorbing material added to ceilings help reduce echo/reverberation and improve sound quality. These materials come in many different colors and textures and help to give some added character. In the example, panels in the main vaulted living space of the home soften the acoustics for the musician homeowner. These panels were also organized in a way to integrate the lighting tracks and give warmth and texture.
Ceilings contain numerous mechanical, electrical, and structural functions and it is therefore important to coordinate these elements in a way that relates to the design, materials and layout of the relating spaces. For example, elements on the ceilings, such as beams, ceiling boards, or crown trim, look more resolved if lighting can be centered/aligned within these features and with the furniture to create an elegant room. When it looks easy it likely had careful coordination along the way!
Beams, soffits, and changes in materials and heights define spaces and the functions happening within them.
Acoustic ceiling treatments at this garage house light fixtures and reduce echo from hard surfaces.
Hemlock wood tongue-and-groove boards and beams give the neutral open spaces some added texture and warmth, while visually lowering the ceiling to make the space feel cozy.