When global architects 3DReid were looking for a UK ceiling tile manufacturer, which was “critical” for the costing and timescale of their project, there was really only one option – Armstrong Ceilings. But specifying Armstrong Ceilings, which has production facilities in Tyne n Wear, Stafford and Sittingbourne also came with a bonus, it being part of the global Armstrong World Industries group based in the US where 3DReid’s client, United Airlines, is also based.

This enabled Armstrong’s global Architectural Specialties team to deliver samples to the airline and advise them directly when it came to the complex ceiling design for the 2000m² United Global First Lounge at the new Queen’s Terminal (Terminal 2) at Heathrow airport.

This is one of two new United Airlines facilities at Heathrow’s new Star Alliance terminal and gives testament to the airline’s commitment to Heathrow as its hub for Europe. It reinforces their new design concept recently launched at Chicago O’Hare airport which aims to signpost passengers with distinct design elements which reflect the lounge’s location.

The first carrier to operate out of the new terminal when it opened in June, United Airlines’ brand is key to future lounges and 3DReid worked closely with Chicago-based practice Solomon Cordwell Buenz on designs for the interiors of the United Global First Lounge aimed at first and business class passengers.

Features include a long, sweeping bar, floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the airfield, and high-quality finishes throughout including a large Big Ben replica clock in the tea lounge section. The United Global First section had a bronze colour theme and the United Club section had a silver/chrome theme, both reflected in the ceiling choices.

Some 800m² of Armstrong’s Axiom Knife Edge 9290 x 1200mm canopies with a mixture of perforated metal MicroLook 8 tiles in a pearl beige finish with fleece, the bespoke RH-225 hook-on ceiling system, also in pearl beige as well as brushed aluminium satin and signal white, and the Microperforated 600mm x 600mm S-Clip F swing-down tiles with fleece installed on the System 3000 concealed grid in signal white, were specified to complement this design.

3DReid’s Felicity Hurling said there were a number of metallic finishes within the project and it had been critical that the ceiling tiles complemented the skirting, flooring, trims and sockets but Armstrong provided a number of iterations through design development and worked hard to achieve a finish that matched the client’s design aspirations.

She said: “The ceiling layout is particularly complex, utilising a number of ceiling finish levels and interfacing with joinery products. Additionally there are a number of access requirements from the ceiling due to the quantity of services and the final outcome achieved full void access without reducing the integrity of the aesthetic.”

3DReid originally approached Armstrong due to their previous work with the practice. It was critical that they worked with a UK supplier to achieve the cost and programme requirements of the project as the construction programme was particularly tight, from July 2013 to May 2014, with the terminal opening in June 2014.

The added benefit of Armstrong being able to deliver samples and advise their clients directly had provided reassurance and a cohesive working environment.

The Armstrong systems were installed by HLS Installations for main contractor ISG Group.

The Ultimate Tile Range

One of Armstrong Ceilings’ most popular tile ranges is now set to be even more of a hit. Not content with having one of its specifiers’ favourite ceiling tiles in its portfolio, Armstrong has re-engineered the Ultima+ range to offer a host of enhancements.

The next-generation Ultima+ range of mineral tiles and planks now features an even brighter whiter smoother surface, with 87% light reflectance to help achieve 16% cost savings compared with indirect lighting (in accordance with the Brinjac Engineering Study 2006).

Durability, as well as aesthetics, is also enhanced with fully-painted edges, while the addition of a re-engineered MicroLook 90 edge detail enables a better fit and improved visual finish when used with standard or designer grids. The lightly textured surface also features a new easy-to-clean scratch resistant finish for easier handling and longer life.

The new Ultima+ range features the world’s first Cradle to Cradle (C2C) certificate for an entire ceiling range. Manufactured with up to 64% recycled content, it is available in three core densities that allow specifiers to engineer sound absorption and attenuation for optimum acoustic performance – standard Ultima+ giving medium density, Ultima+ OP giving low density and Ultima+ dB giving high density, up to 41 dB.

As well as being Class A acoustically sound, the Ultima+ range also performs in terms of air quality, being rated VOC A+ for ultra-low emissions and ISO 5. It is also resistant to fire and humidity (95%) and available with a 30-year system warranty.

The Ultima + range is 100% recyclable through either of Armstrong’s two recycling programmes – End-of-Life for all mineral fibre ceiling tiles (even if they are not Armstrong’s) from refurbishment and strip-out projects, and Off-Cut scheme for diverting waste from the installation process from going to landfill.

Download the full, free 2015 Ceiling catalogue plus specification data and other product literature at www.armstrong-ceilings.co.uk or on the Armstrong Ceiling APP.