#Product Trends
Acoustics in form
GKD develops 3D ceiling system from composite mesh
Metallic mesh demonstrates its flexible interior deployment options with the most diverse of shapes, colours and functions. Whether used as wall cladding, room dividers or even in combination with suspended ceilings, it sets no limits in terms of design creativity. With this textile material, GKD – GEBR. KUFFERATH AG (GKD), a leading international provider of woven solutions made from metal and other materials, offers full-scope ceiling solutions from a single source. The composite mesh (CMP mesh), made up of honeycomb supporting plate and acoustic fleece, was presented for the first time at the BAU 2013 trade fair and has now been further developed by GKD. Three-dimensional composite panels now allow new design potential to be tapped for large-scale ceiling constructions. This further development of the innovative acoustic ceiling concept was received with great enthusiasm by the architects at the AIA Convention in Denver.
Whether in hotels, restaurants or public buildings, metallic mesh ceilings speak for themselves. A good example of this can be found in the flagship store of Heimbs Café in Braunschweig, where gentle waves made of freely suspended Mandarin bronze metallic mesh create a naturally warm and pleasant atmosphere. The two bronze ceiling wings, suspended above the foyer at the Hilton Frankfurt Airport Hotel, represent another impressive use of this material. And the central conference room of the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg is covered by a gigantic "umbrella" of freely formed Escale spiral mesh.
GKD is now combining this dynamic effect of three-dimensional ceiling constructions with the advantages of its newly developed CMP mesh. The design of this composite material, consisting of aluminium honeycomb base plate, integrated acoustic fleece and a layer of mesh that is laminated on the visible side, makes it extremely stable and strong. These properties also make it the ideal system for creating large-scale ceilings with monolithic effect. Thanks to their rigidity and rear-mounted perforated support plates, the lightweight panels are also easy to install in lengths of up to four metres and widths of up to 1.25 metres. They allow completely flat areas to be created with minimum joints and no sagging. The intermediate layer of acoustic fleece improves room-based acoustic comfort and optimises speech intelligibility. These key characteristics are now also available as three-dimensional ceiling constructions. Curved, large-format panels give an organic, yet also puristic feel. The high-grade look of the revolutionary new metallic mesh composites was presented for the first time at the AIA (American Institute of Architects) Convention in Denver, where it immediately impressed the architects in attendance.
The composite mesh is attached to the clamping profile using riveted L-brackets, which are totally concealed. The systems can be fastened to any load-bearing bare ceiling using standard commercial metal anchors and adjustable, galvanised nonius hangers. The CMP meshes with surface layers made of Atlantik, Ellipse 52 and ALU 6010 rod mesh types or the PC Omega 1510, 1520 and PC Tigris 100 x 15 grid mesh types are also available in undulating form. Lights and sprinklers are also easy to integrate thanks to the recesses incorporated during production.
