Product + idea = ??? You be the judge…. Ch.2

Now that we have decided on the perimeter details, let’s discuss incorporating lighting, HVAC, & AV.  Since the Hunter Douglas system is linear, we have used linear lighting and multiple recessed downlights.  The linear lighting will be used in a similar width panel.  The panel will be cut on either end and the light will simply continue the line.  The multiple recessed downlights will be cut into a larger panel.  Two very different looks and used in two different areas of the space.  The linear application is above the dining /seating area, while the recessed downlights are above where customers are getting their food.

As for the HVAC, we didn’t want to see diffusers in the ceiling.  There is air supply in the soffit surround and we eliminated the filler strip between the panels for air return.  An acoustical blanket is laid on top to absorb sound.

The audio visual consisting of a projector and a screen, ended up in the linear metal ceiling late in the game.  Luckily, this system is apt for this situation.  The projector will be mounted with a 3” pipe, which will penetrate a ceiling panel.  The projector screen will be recessed and the panels will cover most the screen.  The area which the screen requires to be lowered will be preserved by removing only that portion of the linear panels.  So when the screen is up, it is hidden and when it is down, it is usable.

Click here to see the final outcome.  Tell us if you can find the location of the projector screen.

Product + idea = ??? You be the judge…. Ch.1

Hunter Douglas Linear Metal Ceiling - Hey, somebody has to do it. New products come on the market all the time.  Designers have to have a fearless approach when experimenting with new products in order to discover their possibilities. 

Here at DM+A, we wanted to try using the Linear Metal Ceiling systems; Box & Deep Box Series.  It’s a very straight forward approach.  Linear planks lay in one direction within a soffit.  But what if you use different plank sizes and depths with a random pattern?  On top of two types of lighting, different soffit connections, and a recessed projector screen?  Well it takes a lot of planning and preparation.   

One of the biggest challenges was how the perpendicular end of the panels would meet the soffit.   Typical details would have you use a wall angle, but since we are using different depths of panels, only some of the panels would actually be touching the angle (See Image 1B).  This is not a look we wanted.  Our answer … hold the panels off the wall 2”.

Another challenge is when the panel runs parallel and how it would meet the soffit.  Since there is always room for error between AutoCAD drawings and actual field conditions, we had to be flexible in the design.  So we decided to allow the panel to run past the soffit.  This will allow any width to be along the soffit.  We did decide to limit the depth at this condition.

So now the tricky one…What happens once the two conditions meet at a corner?  Not exactly a happy one, but we must make the best of what we have.  The only question is the open space at the 2” along the long side of the panel.  It will be left open and one can potentially see duct work, pipes, etc.  After further discussions, we conclude that the potential to see the HVAC will be minimized by the perspective.  But to be on the safe side, in the end we decided to include a 2” wall angle mounted higher than the panels which would hide any exposed ductwork (click here, then click on 2nd square from the right).

There will always be hiccups in the process, but if no one took the risks, what would our built world look like?  

Click here to see the final product and tell us what you think.