Acoustical ceilings can help manage sound by absorbing noise, while also providing a practical way to conceal pipes, ductwork, and other building systems. At the same time, today’s ceiling systems offer a wide range of design possibilities, from traditional acoustical panels to specialty panels, drywall, wood, and metal installations.
The right solution depends on the space and how it will be used. Raymond works with project teams to coordinate ceiling materials and systems with the overall design, architectural details, and building requirements.
Project Spotlight: Hilton San Diego Bayfront Ballroom
A recent example of the coordination required for a complex ceiling installation was the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Ballroom Renovation.
The project involved an extensive renovation within a two-week holiday shutdown, requiring the team to complete nearly $1.63 million of work while working within an active hospitality environment.
One of the challenges was working at significant heights. An intermediate ceiling system was developed to reduce framing heights from 40 feet to 25 feet, making installation more efficient and improving working conditions.
The project also incorporated prefabrication. Modular soffit framing assemblies, custom drywall shapes, and mitered wood ceiling corner assemblies were produced off site before being installed in the ballroom. Full-scale mockups were used to verify the angles of the intricate corner conditions before fabrication.
The finished ballroom includes:
- 38,406 SF of acoustical ceilings
- 10,668 SF of ceiling clouds
- 3,600 SF of ceiling cloud framing and drywall infill
- Armstrong WoodWorks ceiling panels
- Floating cloud soffits with repeatable mitered corners
- Removable ceiling panels coordinated with ballroom rigging access
The Raymond VDC team coordinated the detailed wood panel layouts with the ballroom’s rigging access points. This allowed removable panels to integrate into the ceiling design while maintaining access for the venue’s operations.
The result is a ceiling system that does more than finish the space, it works with the architecture, acoustics, building systems, and operational needs of the venue.