Airport ceilings, railway station ceilings and other transportation hub ceilings can be decorative, functional and sustainable, which contributes to a better travel experience

Design for transit centers often transcends the interior design of main concourses, waiting room ceilings and office spaces, and transitions into the exterior for train stations’ covered platforms and international airport terminal buildings’ canopies.

In these demanding conditions, ceilings must maintain both an attractive appearance and dependable, sustainable performance.

Transportation facility managers appreciate ceilings that are durable, as well as easily accommodating to lighting, HVAC and security systems. When the equipment and systems require updates, ceilings that allow access to the plenum save time and labor.

When ceiling panels can hold up under these conditions, they also reduce environmental impact, which saves on material costs, conserves resources and lowers associated carbon emissions. According to the U.S. Green Building Council, “Transportation is one of the biggest drivers of CO2 emissions and also has the highest growth in CO2 emissions of any industry sector. …In the U.S., transportation accounted for 27 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions in 2015—second only to electricity production.”1

Contributing to healthier indoor air quality, our stone wool acoustic ceiling products have been certified GREENGUARD® Gold for low emissions. And, our metal ceiling systems also are low-emitting materials with no reportable VOCs.

Our metal and stone wool ceiling panels also resist water and humidity. Because they don’t hold moisture and don’t contain organic material, they provide no sustenance for the growth of mold, mildew or microorganisms that may be unhealthy to passengers and the people they encounter.

Transportation hubs and airport design don’t have to make travelers feel like they’re rushing through Grand Central Terminal.

With planes taking off and landing, trains arriving and departing, cars picking up and dropping off, and lots of busy travelers in large, open spaces, transit facilities can be very loud and very stressful. The most stressful part of travel is at the start of the passenger path because we feel a lack of control in the rush to make departure times and find our way among the noisy crowd.

The right ceiling can have a profound effect on both the acoustic experience and on the overall travel experience. Acoustic ceiling panels and baffles with high sound absorption can control the noise level of these busy spaces. In a quieter environment, travelers feel more relaxed, can hear pertinent announcements more clearly, can better understand spoken instructions and are better able to communicate important information.2

In interior spaces, stone wool ceiling acoustic tiles installed in a suspended grid create the typical drop ceiling and provide sound absorption. In airport concourses, bus station main halls, train station terminals and other large open spaces, acoustic ceiling baffles and metal ceilings are frequently the preferred product choice. Metal ceiling panels and planks can be perforated and enhanced with an acoustic backing material to improve sound management. Acoustic ceiling baffles or islands also provide noise control when suspended ceiling systems are not practical or as an aesthetic alternative.

Aesthetically, we were aiming for clean lines and tight joints between the panels to result in a seamless looking ceiling... it was imperative that the ceiling system could withstand the piston affect air pressures of incoming and departing trains... [Rockfon’s] sales and technical staff always made themselves available to us from early on when we were developing a new ceiling standard to the various ceiling mock-ups that were installed for testing purposes to the first installation at Islington Station.

John Amaral

Senior designer with Toronto Transit Commission’s plant maintenance department/engineering

When ceiling systems are used in exterior applications, they should shelter travelers from both noise and the elements.

In all climates and all types of weather, metal ceiling systems are trusted for use in building canopies, soffits, overhangs, covered entrances, walkways, drive-throughs and other applications. They are designed to resist wind loads, humidity, fire, and earthquakes.

Beyond exposure to natural forces, transportation hubs can present unique challenges to building products’ structural integrity. For example, ceilings performance can include air pressure requirements to meet the piston effect of arriving and departing trains at stations, or stability criteria to meet the rumblings of jumbo jets.

Contributing to peace of mind for passengers and facility managers, these metal ceiling systems retain their intended look and performance for many years and can be recycled for future use.

Sources

1. USGBC, https://newsroom.usgbc.org/usgbcs-new-report-reveals-the-transportation-industry-is-embracing-sustainability-through-green-building-standards/

2. https://www.finavia.fi/en/newsroom/2018/stressed-airport-three-main-causes-airport-stress-and-how-helsinki-airport-tries

01

Office

Meeting the challenges of the modern office.

Office ceiling tiles and systems contribute to good acoustics, sustainable designs and attractive interiors that help employees be effective and efficient.

02

Education

Building now, for the future

School ceiling tiles and suspended ceiling grid are the key components of a complete ceiling system that can help you create healthy, safe, beautiful and sustainable designs for universities, colleges, schools and other educational facilities.

03

Healthcare

Ceiling solutions for a safer way to heal

Healthcare ceiling tiles support cost-effective strategies to improve comfort and safety, while helping maintain caregiver and employee accuracy and productivity in hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, wellness centers and other healthcare spaces.

04

Retail

Ceiling solutions for a better shopping experience

Store ceiling designs assist in communicating the retail stores’ brand, as well as influencing the shoppers’ experience and buying behavior.

05

Leisure

Recreation, entertainment and hospitality ceiling design ideas

Leisure facilities are often high traffic spaces with many people coming through in a day. It places a high demand on acoustics, fire safety, durability and design aesthetic.

06

Industry

Ceiling solutions for production and industrial settings

Industrial ceiling tiles, such as those used in production facilities, warehouses, and distribution centers, are expected to meet a variety of requirements specific to each industry.

07

Transportation

Ceiling solutions for a better way to travel

Airport ceilings, railway station ceilings and other transportation hub ceilings can be decorative, functional and sustainable, which contributes to a better travel experience.

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