Dave Harding, sales & marketing director at Gilberts Blackpool looks at trends in building services
The ceiling has historically been regarded as purely functional. Now it is increasingly playing a part in the overall design aesthetics. That has a knock-on effect: building services become an integral component of the design strategy.
The driving force behind the transition is health and wellbeing. The stark functionality of recent years means people sometimes feel disconnected from the environment around them, impacting their performance at work and their enjoyment of space at leisure.
Now we are seeing a more human-centric approach, where the whole interior space is considered, where ceilings are no longer one-dimensional. We are seeing more bulkheads, coffered ceilings, inclusion of curves, trays and reveals, all giving additional depth to the internal architecture, softening lines and making people feel more at ease.
For building services, this opens up a world of opportunity, especially with the heating and ventilation inlets and extracts. Architects are appreciating how simple components can massively influence the design, whether they are being discreetly blended in or shouting their existence from on high, in whichever façade they are sited.
Linear slot diffusers are a perfect example. The name implies a straight line. Did you know they can be curved too?
Today’s versions are manufactured so they seamlessly abut, bringing an unbroken appearance, especially when specified as plaster-in. You can even choose the number of slots to further influence the aesthetic.
Siting a linear slot in a wall also adds a new dimension and is a perfect solution for maintaining occupant comfort in a space with large windows or doors where the slot creates an invisible curtain.
Conscious of the ever-present need for energy efficiency, thermally sensitive options are now available too, that react to slight variations in temperature to adjust the direction of the airflow to maintain the ambient preset thus avoiding unwarranted demand on the heating or cooling system, keeping the occupants comfortable and free from draughts- all without any electrical consumption.
If the aim is to maintain a clean line to the ceiling, perforated face grilles and diffusers could be the answer. The air delivery or extract unit is concealed behind a pierced fascia plate thus blending in with the surrounding decor.
Some architects and specifiers have taken this to the nth degree and customised the face plate to completely disguise its purpose: the exclusive hotel Grantley Hall and world-leading golf club Royal Durnoch for example asked us to over-print the fascia plate with their coat of arms.
It doesn’t have to be that complex. Interiors are moving away from the sterile feel of white towards colour. We all know how colour can influence our mood, and a design, whether it’s a splash of bold colour or muted earth tones.
Technology has advanced so no longer are you limited to powder-coated RAL colours: now, metallic, wood and stone finishes can be applied.
Maybe you want the grilles and diffusers to be stand-out elements.
In exposed ceilings, it’s easy as all the building services are obvious, including the commonly used swirl diffusers.
For them to be effective in this situation, it often helps to include a Coanda plate to the diffuser fascia.
Face plate customisation is growing in popularity across the various types of grilles and diffusers. Specsavers chose to combine its name and the iconic eye chart into the face plate of swirl diffusers when refurbishing its offices.
The capability is there. All it requires is for architects to be aware of the diversity of options available to them, to work with building services consultants and manufacturers to achieve the desired end result, that works with their design not against it, that creates a space that enhances health and wellbeing of the plant, the building and the occupants.