Building beauty in unconventional spaces

The design plan for a new 75,000  square foot Porsche dealership in Scottsdale, Arizona was never meant to feel typical. The sales center would get the A-list finishes visitors expect. But the service area? These spaces are typically designed with standard open or industrial-looking ceilings built for utility alone. Not this one. 

The automotive service department was not a back-of-house necessity, but an essential touchpoint in the brand journey. Penney Design Group, LLC, a trusted partner to the car brand for a decade, was tasked with sourcing a ceiling solution that could deliver a high-end, seamless look across a large footprint while also ensuring accessibility and performance. It needed to feel polished, purposeful, and premium from the moment customers or workers stepped inside any part of the dealership.

And it created an opportunity to reinforce the brand’s elevated visual identity from above with Rockfon Sonar® premium stone wool ceiling tiles with a Shiplap edge.

The Goal

The primary design objective was to create a clean, upscale look that communicated the brand’s personality while also ensuring utility and durability. The design team aimed to create a space that aligned with the high-end experience their customers associate with the luxury car brand. Equally, the materials needed to handle the wear and tear of daily operations without sacrificing visual appeal.

The Challenge

A ceiling might look great at install, but if it can’t hold up to real-world use, the aesthetic won’t mean much. In a service department, tiles are constantly put to the test, whether it’s frequent access to HVAC or electrical systems above, exposure to humidity, or just the wear of a busy environment. It was imperative to design a ceiling solution that would stay looking sharp and functional over time, with less risk of sagging, damage, or need for replacements. 

With also a footprint to consider, coordinating the ceiling layout across the full span of the space required careful planning. The presence of extensive ductwork, lighting and mechanical systems meant the ceiling couldn’t be designed in isolation. The design team would have to work closely with the general contractors during construction to adjust grid placements.

The Solution

The team specified Rockfon Sonar® stone wool ceiling tiles, known for their powerful acoustic performance, fire resistance, GREENGUARD Gold Certified, and clean, elegant finish. Rockfon Sonar stone wool ceiling tiles are inherently mold and mildew resistant, sag resistant, and won’t contribute to flame spread. Installing 4x4 Shiplap panels - which featured a unique asymmetrical edge detail - meant the ceiling grid could be fully concealed while providing a streamlined aesthetic. 

Edge detail plays a key role in both function and finish. Square edge tiles are practical and perfect for quick access. For a more polished look, tegular or reveal edge titles provide added depth helping mask grid lines.

The unique Shiplap edge type is only available with Rockfon Sonar, which gives architects and specifiers the widest range of tile styles and sizes. The large-format tile selected, along with its interlocking, tongue-and-groove edge, mimics the look of traditional shiplap wood paneling. This creates a clean, continuous surface with minimal visible seams - combining sound absorption with a high-end feel.

Shiplap panels are made from 41 percent recycled content, emit low VOCs, resist mold and mildew, and contribute to better acoustic control in otherwise noisy, high-traffic environments, made possible by the stone wool substrate. These attributes helped create a clean, quiet, and healthy space, delivering on what the client envisioned. 

Durability of the tiles was key to maintain their structure and appearance despite frequent access and ongoing maintenance. Sustainability was another guiding principle. The team understood that selecting sustainable materials contributed to broader environmental goals, responsible sourcing, and improved building performance. Choosing a material with GREENGUARD Gold Certification was selected to promote better indoor air quality and align with environmental standards. And for acoustic performance, the team prioritized highsound absorption to reduce noise and support a more productive, comfortable workspace.

Summary

This project redefined expectations for what a service department can look and feel like. By prioritizing both performance and aesthetics, Penney Design Group, LLC delivered a space that reflects the same level of care and luxury as the showroom itself. Rockfon Sonar stone wool ceiling panels with Shiplap edging provided the ideal solution: offering a sleek, seamless appearance alongside the acoustic, sustainable, and durable qualities needed in a high-performance environment. Through thoughtful design, the result is a premium customer experience in every square foot, from front door to the service bay for years to come.