Project team members offer their thoughts on the customized metal ceilings used for a corporate headquarters building.
The Swiss Re project is one of the largest office building installations of metal ceilings in the country. While the decision to use a metal ceiling grew out of the project's unique program requirements and design solution, it also reflects a growing trend among designers to make more creative use of metal ceilings. The innovative ceiling was also made possible by recent advances in metal forming and CAD/CAM technology, which make it more affordable to custom fabricate sophisticated metal panels. A 30-inch ceiling module was selected to accommodate the building's 25-foot column centers and relate to the scale of its large open-plan spaces. The project includes both flat and curved perforated metal panels and custom fabricated trim around perimeters, lighting and penetrations.