When designing an internal space it is important to consider every plane within it.  Ceilings can often get forgotten in the design process, or left as an after thought.  Charles encourages us instead to do something extraordinary, and to think outside the box. Whilst we’re students we get to be bold and explore, whether through colour, or by being way out and wacky in our designs.  We were shown the following example below, for inspiration.

Roca London gallery, designed by Zaha Hadid (the resident.co.uk).

Direct ceiling – commonly used in residential buildings.  Consisting of plasterboard and skim.

Suspended ceiling – predominantly used in commercial sites.  A wire suspended frame, concealed with ceiling tiles. Hide lighting, air con, electrics, etc.

Exposed ceiling – Becoming more popular due to the costs involved in a suspended ceiling.  Everything is spray painted one colour, for example, black or white.

Within commercial spaces there are ceiling void requirements.  For services there is an increased requirement sizing for air conditioning/heating systems, cable management, pipework and sprinkler/fire systems.

For sound there must be control and limiting of absorption, insulation and reverberation.  These are all important aspects to consider as an interior designer.  We should always consider how sound behaves within a room (absorption), which is closely affected by what you put in it.  Also, the degree to which sound is transmitted to another room (insulation), and the time it takes for sound to die down within a space (reverberation).  Note that too many hard surfaces don’t absorb the sound within a space.

Barrisol are world leaders of stretched ceilings.  Lycra like fabric is stretched around a frame and fixed into position.  These are a great option when wanting to achieve a more organic form and can be wrapped around curves or products. Incorporating LED lights can also make the whole ceiling glow.  On the downside access above the ceiling might prove trickier.

Hilton Pattaya, Thailand (Pinterest).

I chose this example of an interesting ceiling as I was attracted to its organic, ethereal form.  I imagine it moves in the breeze and adds a softness to the solid geometric feel of the space below.