Metal Ceiling Makes Waves at Student Center

Metal Ceiling

A wave-shaped metal ceiling controls noise and adds visual interest to the dining area in the new Student Center at Miami University.

When students at Miami University of Ohio want to grab a bite to eat or catch up between classes, they head to the Commons, a large, open dining and gathering space in the new Student Center.

When designing the space, an acoustical ceiling that would both control noise in the busy dining area and add visual interest to the space was a key consideration. “Acoustics was important because we wanted to keep noise from bouncing around, but we also wanted something that would create interest in a place where people wanted to be,” says Samantha Delabar of BHDP Architecture, Columbus, OH.

In addition, a metal ceiling was desired because of its durability and longevity. “Due to the high volume of the space, we wanted something that would last a long time and require very little maintenance,” she says. The ceiling also had to be 100 percent downward accessible to provide access to the mechanicals in the plenum.

The eventual design concept called for a metal ceiling that resembled a cascade of wave-shaped ribbons. Working with the You Inspire Solutions Center at Armstrong Ceilings, the design team was able specify a MetalWorks RH215 Faceted Custom Ceiling System that met its design criteria.

The wave-shaped ribbons were created by installing rows of 12-inch-by-56-inch white steel ceiling panels with matching trim on a faceted suspension system. All the panels are micro-perforated and backed with an acoustical fleece to control noise. “We wanted the ceiling to complement the activity going on in the space,” explains Delabar, “and the visual impact of the waves accomplishes that.”

www.armstrong.com/commceilings

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

Featured

  • Michigan School District Installs New Gun-Detection Platform

    Williamston Community Schools in Williamston, Mich., recently announced that it has installed the ZeroEyes gun-detection video analytics platform for its five schools, according to a news release. ZeroEyes is the only solution of its kind with a U.S. Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act Designation and adds an AI gun-detection and intelligent situational awareness software layer into existing school security cameras.

  • Education Design Showcase

    Spaces4Learning Launches 2025 Education Design Showcase

    Spaces4Learning is now accepting submissions for the 2025 Education Design Showcase! Launched in 1999, the program celebrates innovative and practical solutions in planning, design, and construction.

  • Aims Community College to Build Workforce Innovation Center

    Aims Community College in Greeley, Colo., recently announced that it has broken ground on its new Aims Workforce Innovation Center (AWIC), according to a news release. The facility for workforce development, entrepreneurship, and education has a scheduled opening date of fall 2026.

  • Clemson to Launch North America’s Largest College Campus Smart Parking Program

    Clemson University in Clemson, S.C., recently announced a partnership with smart parking and curbside management solutions provider eleven-x to launch a smart parking initiative for its population of 29,000 students and faculty, according to a news release.