10 minute read
Ceilings Control Sound, Resist Thrown Balls
by IdeaSoil
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Top. Each of the big, colorful bugs consists of multiple, custom-shaped pieces.
Center. SoundScapes Shapes acoustical ceiling clouds from Armstrong have taken up residence on a dining hall ceiling.
Bottom. Mounting framework connects the shapes that make up the individual bugs. Suspension cables connect the framework to the ceiling.
Acoustical ceiling clouds in fun bug shapes transform a Ronald McDonald House.
Children and their families entering the main dining area of the Ronald McDonald House, Memphis, TN, aren’t overly concerned when they see the swarm of giant bugs that have nested on the ceiling. The bugs are actually acoustical ceiling clouds that help control sound in the room.
The dining area is quite large and originally had a lingering echo that all but rendered the space useless for certain activities. “As the room filled up, the noise would just become too loud, even reaching the point of painful for some,” said Sherri Maxey, director of house operations. “Really loud events like our Breakfast With Santa were unbearable for some of our guests.”
John Fleskes, a Ronald McDonald House board member with a background in acoustics, analyzed the problem and said, “The room is big, and being a hospital-grade food facility, is bare of most dust-causing and sound-absorbing materials. Since we couldn’t just add big fluffy things to soak up the echo, we had to look up. The ceiling is vaulted and at such an angle to create a perfect triangle that bounced the echo around the room. Our decision was to break up the echo by using acoustical clouds.”
ONE-OF-A KIND CLOUDS While conventional ceiling clouds were a possibility, Fleskes decided to take advantage of the custom SoundScapes Shapes offered by Armstrong Ceilings, Lancaster, PA, to create eye-catching, one-of-a-kind acoustical clouds that would be child friendly.
Designed for areas that require spot acoustics, SoundScapes Shapes install easily and adjust to desired hanging heights and angles. They can attach directly to a drywall ceiling or be suspended from a drywall ceiling, an existing suspended ceiling, or the deck of an exposed structure.
The clouds are engineered for use in seismic zones, have a Class A fire rating, and a recycled content of as much as 82%. They are also recyclable in the company’s ceiling-recycling program at end of life.
GIANT BUGS To execute the ceiling’s design concept, Fleskes worked with the Armstrong Design Services Group, a consulting service comprised of architects and engineers whose mission is to help with the implementation of signature ceilings.
Four giant acoustical bugs were created to absorb sound in the dining area—a ladybug, bumblebee, dragonfly, and butterfly—each measuring approximately 10 ft. x 11 ft. edge to edge. “We liked the idea of the big, colorful bugs because we could disguise the science behind their giant smiling faces,” Fleskes said.
Each of the bugs consists of multiple, custom-shaped pieces assembled, connected, and installed by Acoustics & Specialties, Memphis, TN.
To install the clouds, the design of each bug was laid out on the floor and then the mounting framework built to connect all of the shapes. Once the ground-level preparation was completed, short suspension cables were dropped from the existing drywall ceiling. The framework for each bug was attached to the cables and the individual shapes to the framework.
Among the installation challenges was the need to square the framework for each bug so all connections hit the framework properly. Other challenges included installing the clouds on a severely sloped, rather than flat, ceiling, and overlapping some of the shapes to create a 3-D effect.
Following installation of the ceiling clouds, the acoustic environment of the space improved significantly. Reverberation time decreased an average of 28%. According to Fleskes, the room is much more comfortable and quiet and being used in ways never before possible, even if there are bugs in it. CBP
Want more information? The resources below are linked in our digital magazine at cbpmagazine.com/digital/apr2015.
Circle 12 on the Reader Service Card.
Download a product brochure.
Use a design tool to create a custom shape.
Photos: The Apple Group, Bill Gnech
Above. Rockfon’s high-impact, stone-wool acoustic ceiling panels and perimeter trim were used in a major facility upgrade at the Union League Boys & Girls Club.
Left. Ceiling panels used in the gym stand up to impact. Panels can be easily replaced if needed.
Ceilings Control Sound, Resist Thrown Balls Acoustic ceiling panels provide clean appearance and impact strength as part of Chicago Boys & Girls Club renovation.
The Union League Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago recently received a facility upgrade, the fi rst in 90 yr., on its historical Club One facility in the Pilsen neighborhood. The multi-phase, $4.2-million renovation and expansion nearly doubled the facility’s original size and showcases Impact ceiling panels from Rockfon, Chicago. The high-impact, stone-wool acoustic ceiling panels are used throughout Europe, but had not been introduced in the United States prior to 2013.
Rockfon’s team provided multiple ceiling-suspension systems, panels, and perimeter trim to accommodate the varied purposes of Club One’s classrooms, offices, lobbies, corridors, and activity areas. The most challenging applications were in the gymnasiums. For these areas, products were used to create a durable ceiling system that maintains a clean appearance, offers exceptional acoustic performance, and withstands regular impact from errant balls and other daily athletic activities.
Panels integrate with Chicago Metallic’s (Chicago) suspension systems and Rockfon InfinityZ razor-edge perimeter trim to give ceilings the appearance of zero depth. “This combination of panels helped create a very durable ceiling, which is acoustically tuned enough to allow the space to double as an auditorium,” said Cory Nevins, Rockfon’s director of marketing for North America.
Impact ceiling panels provide Noise Reduction Coefficients of 0.85 and have a high light reflectance of 0.86. The panels also contain as much as 39% recycled content.
“The Rockfon system was exactly what was needed for the Union League’s gymnasiums. Without [their team], we wouldn’t have even known about it,” said Clark Christensen, Antunovich Associates, Chicago, project architect. “[They] went above and beyond to provide the best solution. It’s a robust system with a high missile-impact rating so we know it can stand up to balls hitting it. When necessary, the panels can be replaced easily.”
“Between the new annex and the renovated original structure, we [have] a fully functional, accessible, and ADA-compliant building to continue our service of being a beacon of light and a place of refuge for the youth of Pilsen where we’ve been changing lives and building futures for thousands of young people for more than nine decades,” said Michael Chioros, trustee with the Union League Boys & Girls Club and chair of the renovation project. CBP
Want more information? The resources below are linked in our digital magazine at cbpmagazine.com/digital/apr2015.
Circle 2 on the Reader Service Card.
Download a ceiling-design brochure.
Access specifi cations for Impact ceiling panels.
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