ROCKFON’s Ceiling Systems Enhance New Offices in Canada
A newly built office in Ontario, Canada, brings together four divisions’ people and products into one building for the first time. Each day, members of the North American ROCKFON team gather with their colleagues from ROXUL, GRODAN and ROCKWOOL Technical Insulation. The active workspace also serves as a real-world showroom for ROCKFON’s complete ceiling systems.
Every space in the two-story, 24,000-square-foot office strives to enhance the work environment on a visual, acoustic and energy-efficient level. Demonstrating its commitment to these goals, the building is pursuing LEED Gold certification from the Canadian Green Building Council.
“Living with these products every day, we truly see, hear and feel how they improve the workplace–our workplace. We more deeply appreciate the comfort, health, safety and environmental qualities that they bring to every building project,” says Chris Marshall, ROCKFON’s vice president of marketing and business development.
He continues, “When you’re the owner and building new, you have the opportunity to design a space that best represents your product and company without the constraints of an existing structure. We had a blank canvas, which allowed us to get creative. We used a full range of products, sizes, colors and materials, ceiling systems for open and closed plenum, and featured a breadth of aesthetic options.”
ROCKFON worked hand-in-glove with SRM Architects and interior designer Lorelie Ratz to develop a contemporary office plan that plays to the strengths of its products’ performance and aesthetics. “Their office is a showpiece for their products, and we incorporated as many varieties as possible, while still making it a cohesive space,” describes Ratz.
Ryan Hicks, project manager, SRM Architects, elaborates, “From an architectural point of view, there is more of a design aspect to ROCKFON’s products than most acoustical ceiling panels. They add a very polished, elegant finish to the space, and we were able to achieve certain looks that I’m not sure you’d be able to do with a traditional system. They are definitely a unique product and not just another iteration of the standard ceiling system.”
“We love it,” says Bruce Wilbee, project manager with Canaan Construction Inc. who installed the drywall and ceiling systems. “It cut well and has a nice edge. It was easy to work with and looks good.”