Listen to the Ask the Expert podcast, in partnership with Zentia, exploring the design of discontinuous ceiling systems and specifically Sonify, a brand new product that the company is bringing to market.

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Ceilings can often make or break commercial and public building interiors, both in terms of appearance and functionality. Discontinuous ceiling systems are seen by many as the preferred solution for their ability to combine high levels of performance with good aesthetics. But what exactly are discontinuous ceilings? How do they work? And what is behind the latest system to come to market: Sonify by Zentia. These questions and more were explored in the first of three Ask the Expert podcasts on ceiling design with Zentia’s John Spicer, Head of New Product Development, and Graham Taylor, Director of Sales and Marketing, in conversation with AT’s Technical Editor John Ramshaw.

What are discontinuous ceilings and when and where are they used?

JS As the name suggests, it’s a ceiling that is not continuous. Traditionally, we would describe a suspended ceiling as a wall-to-wall solution – a continuous membrane dividing the plenum (the air space behind the ceiling) and the ceiling soffit from the useable space below. A discontinuous ceiling eschews this approach in favour of a series of individual elements, including rafts, canopies, baffles. Discontinuous ceilings are specified for a number of reasons, including ‘activating’ the concrete soffit for thermal mass, and as part of a general trend away from suspended ceilings. They are used on a wide range of projects, from offices to education and hospitality spaces.

What are the main challenges for architects when it comes to specifying discontinuous ceilings?

JS Unlike continuous ceilings, where services are located where needed and then simply dropped into ceiling tiles, on open-soffit or discontinuous ceilings these elements have to be carefully planned or zoned, because there maybe large areas where there is no ceiling treatment at all. Secondly, the visual appearance of the soffit and the exposed servicing might have to be upgraded as these elements are usually hidden from view.

Could you tell us why Sonify was developed and how it differs from traditional discontinuous ceiling systems?

GT Zentia has evolved from Armstrong Ceiling Solutions, and while we retained many of the standard products that specifiers will be familiar with, we also recognised that there was a gap in our product offering for something that could allow architects to be creative and put their own personal stamp on ceiling design. Sonify also responds to the growing trend towards discontinuous ceiling options and the specific needs of clients, specifiers, designers, acousticians and installers in this respect.

JS At the moment discontinuous ceilings tend to be single elements, such as canopies or baffles, that are hung either individually or dotted about. Very little planning tends to go into the accurate and level spacing of these elements and the integration of the services above. The alternative is a completely bespoke solution, which can be time consuming to design and install, as well as expensive.

By contrast, Sonify provides freedom of personalisation using a ‘kit-of-parts’ approach. Central to this is the Sonify Create grid system, which facilitates easy setting out using primary runners and a secondary grid beneath. The latter provides complete freedom for panel placement along with accurate spacing. There is also a palette of 35 different colours to choose from. By using the new Sonify 3D Studio digital planning tool, specifiers can get a real feel and understanding for what they are going to get from a design perspective. In addition, the 3D Studio design can also be outputted as a Revit model, which can then form part of the project’s golden thread of information.

How does the system aid creativity for specifiers in terms of the main design elements?

JS We have a number of standard shapes, which can be manipulated in a variety of ways. Some of the curved and angular baffles comprise three different designs, which can be installed in multiple configurations, such as end-on-end or staggered to create a complex ‘wave’ form. We can also add colour to both the panels and the grid, so it’s a completely personalised solution.

Are these elements solely decorative or do they also deliver acoustic properties?

JS The personalisation of the system is about the aesthetics, whereas the core performance of the product itself is a Class A sound absorber, which is market leading.

How does Sonify compare with standard systems solutions in terms of cost?

GT The nature of discontinuous ceilings means that it is very hard to compare like for like. However, I would say that the cost of Sonfiy is similar overall to a full wall-to-wall solution, depending on what specific elements are used.

What about lead-in times and distribution for Sonify?

GT We are offering five- and ten-day lead-in times for the white and coloured Sonify solutions respectively. We also have a nation-wide distribution network approaching 200 locations where Zentia products can be sourced from.

Can Sonify be installed by traditional contractors or shop fitters? And does Zentia have preferred partners for installation?

GT Sonify can be installed by traditional contractors and shop fitters. However, as with our core systems, we recommend that clients use one of our Pinnacle Partners who are fully trained across all our product ranges and can therefore ensure high levels of quality and efficiency.

Finally, how should specifiers who are interested in Sonify approach the design process?

JS I would say have a play with the Sonify 3D Studio configurator. It’s intended to be an inspirational tool, which can provide a lot of information about the system and what can be achieved using it.

GT Yes, you can’t go wrong with the 3D Studio tool, particularly as it won’t let you create something that can’t be built.

Contact Details
Click here to listen to the podcast in full. To find out more about Sonify please call 0191 497 1000, email, or visit the Zentia website.