Alternates to drop ceiling?

[Dancing Dan]

Looked at an office space today, a client wants to convert to a Pilates studio. Don't much much about Pilates, but apparently people spend a lot of time looking up, so the client wants the ceiling to be something more interesting to look at than the acoustic ceiling that's up there now. We talked about using tin ceiling panels in the grid, more interesting panels, etc.

There's a boatload of mechanicals up in the ceiling, so we need something. And, of course, money is an object. Anyone done anything clever?

[tjbnwi]

Fake tin pan panels or plank panels???

http://www.armstrong.com/resclgam/na...ion_print.html

Tom

[mike maines]

How about something like what Kaplan-Thompson did here with plywood: http://www.kaplanthompson.com/project.php?id=73&bp=1?

[Dancing Dan]

I saw that - don't think it's in the budget. I'd never seen the Armstrong wood inserts before.

[Bob Kovacs]

Here's one from Armstrong that our favorite Festooligan would prefer....

http://www.armstrong.com/resclgam/na...itemId=92047.0

[Ted S.]

What is the possibility of exposed, cleaned up with paint?

Maybe you could make up something cool with Unistrut, some expanded lath or something and spray that?

I used to be an architect you know, I can come up with a lot of stupid stuff like that.

[James Eggert]

Along with what Ted said. Can you make up some interesting visuals that hang below the existing ceiling? Some decorative hangings of shapes and different colors and.....

[MarkMc]

You could get yourself an Océ Arizona 350 printer and decorate the drop in tiles with anything you/they want. My suggestion would be scenes from the Prisoner tv series where they're running from the bouncing ball... and of course some shots of Mitch Miller leading the gang. Of course you could cheap out and locate a display graphics co w/ a decent flatbed printer. It'd be cheaper than laser engraved Ti.

[JAlvis]

Ted S. has a good idea with the painted option.

A friend of mine owned a fine dining restaurant. He removed the panels but left the grid and painted everything from the grid line up(including the walls)a dark brown color in a flat sheen. Then they added modern chandeliers for added lighting. Looked very nice and gave the dining area a better feel for very little in cost. Leaving the grid made for a false ceiling which mades things warm and comfortable. Your client could do the same thing and spend the extra money on lighting.

[Overbuilders]

There's a design fee associated with anything I suggest. Just so you know.

[dgbldr]

Sailcloth. You can have a graphic artist design all kinds of 3d shapes/colors. Hang from various grid points.

[youralive]

Install an all wood drop ceiling. Rabbeted 1x6 "main runners" that are hung off the framing above. A perimeter of 1x6. You make up panels of your choice (ply, v-groove cleated on the back side, anything that works with the design/budget), and they sit in the rabbets and on top of the perimeter trim. Since you are making everything, you get to choose a spacing and panel size that fits the space and your specific design. Fabricate and finish everything in your shop-little or no cutting on-site, and a quick turnaround for the business.
Mark

[Kent Brobeck]

Mirrors man...so those folks can look up and say " holy cow I look like $hit". That will motivate them to keep coming back. :{D~

[Dutchman]

Start with an Armstrong steel grid to replace the crap that's there to cover mechanicals...design services after that require beer at my office.

[Overbuilders]

Sailcloth. You can have a graphic artist design all kinds of 3d shapes/colors. Hang from various grid points.

I like this idea. HVAC will help move the sails randomly. Very soothing. After all participants are present, chain the doors and torch the place. Another fait accompli.