We continue with our tour analyzing the diversity of ceilings in offices that fulfill different functions, in addition to the decorative one: support of lighting systems and thermal and acoustic insulation.

Roofs with rounded shapes

One of the tendencies most marked in recent years are the rounded organic shapes, where curved lines dominate the spaces. Thus, together with the furniture, partitions and sinuous geometries, the ceilings amplify that sensation of roundness that has a lot to do with shelter. The rounded shapes They are one of the most atavistic figures present in nature and in human evolution, long before straight lines and sophisticated geometric figures. The curvature of the mother's womb or the shelter of the caves refers us to a sensation of protection and security. This feeling of "wrapping" or "cocooning" favors work spaces and transmits peace and seclusion in users.

Above: Office of a technology company where the industrial ceiling was painted black to highlight the cloud-shaped white ceiling lights surrounded by curved LED strips.

Top left: In this architecture and design studio, a very marked decoration in white and sky blue is enhanced by the design of the ceiling, on which linear LEDs with curved shapes were placed, which go around the entire perimeter.

Down right: In this case, the lights were recessed into the ceiling creating curved light beams that delimit the different work areas.

sculptural structures

Among all the typologies found, we discovered one that is especially spectacular: the roof becomes an exceptional support to house imposing structures that become the visual focus of the space. Hence they are the entries of the offices or social zones the most suitable places to locate these impressive structures that need wide spaces and high heights in order for the visual effect to be complete.

This is the case of norfolk offices (image above), a company dedicated to rail transport, whose impressive central building houses more than 3.000 employees. He restaurant-cafeteria that provides service to employees and visitors is located in a large double-height space, thanks to which it was possible to place five metal cylinders with metal rails inside, a nod to the company's railway activity.

In the bottom image, the Arcade offices and conference center They are located in an old shopping center, the interior of which is dimly lit. For this, a large oval shaped floater frame with several types of light integrated, which help the visitor to calibrate the vision when they enter from the exterior to the interior.

But not only large and tall spaces can afford these aesthetic extravagances. Also in small halls or meeting rooms you can create interesting and eye-catching optical effects, as in these two cases.

Left: In the waiting room at the reception of these offices of the architecture and design studio Vocon, the area was delimited with a daring design that starts from a suspended metal platform, from which cylindrical tubes hang, some of them with LED lights.

Right: Memphis-inspired office lounge area with billowing ceiling and small light points on the entire surface, which provides a homogeneous light.

Metal mesh lattices

Without a doubt, metal mesh lattices They are a very handy resource in the interior design of office interiors. With them you can make any type of facing, separations and delimitations, as well as closing openings or windows allowing light to pass through. Its effectiveness as a decorative element is also verified in its versatility of shapes, designs and colors. Circular, geometric or grid perforations allow, in addition to letting light through, adequate ventilation of spaces.

Above: In the offices of Autodesk, the metal meshes on ceilings and walls also fulfill a powerful corporate mission, since the geometric shapes refer to its logo and the grid mesh to the layering functionality of this 3D design program.

Down: Two very similar examples, which belong, however, to different offices. The roof of the social areas has been designed from a sheet metal with small circular perforations, which hides the light installation that emerges through the perforated sheet metal.

origami effect

If there is a design that is especially attractive and impressive in offices, it is the ceilings of origami effect. This delicate Japanese art, also known as origami, consists of making paper figures without using scissors or glue. In recent years, thanks to the technological development of materials, it has crept into interior design to give volume and movement to walls and ceilings. In these examples we clearly see the visual force that a volumetric ceiling brings to the overall design of the office. In two cases, plasterboard (or Pladur) was used, a light material that is easily molded. In the other two cases they are Wood Ribbons those that allow relief figures with an extraordinary optical effect.

vaulted ceilings

They could not miss in this selection of surprising designs for office ceilings a representation of the ceilings that create a vault effect. Without a doubt, it is a very suitable stylistic resource to focus the focal point on a specific space, be it a meeting room or a reception area, as in these cases. There are many types of design vaulted ceilings, although in general terms it is about creating a concave opening on the surface of the roof.

In the top image, we can appreciate a vaulted ceiling, that is, a sequence of small arches covered with wooden slats and framed, in turn, by a round ceiling.

Down left: This spectacular ceiling that delimits a waiting area has been created from a circular opening on the wooden ceiling, within which a light metal structure is suspended. Although it is not a "vault" per se, the play of lights and superimposed planes manages to create a very successful vaulted effect.

Down right: In this meeting room, the space has been delimited creating a wide targeting on the rectangular ceiling with rounded corners. The effect of the perimeter light gives the area even more volume and depth, creating a kind of vault under the meeting table.  

suspended vegetation

A few weeks ago we showed different ways of creating green walls in offices. Well, here are two other examples, in these cases, suspended from the ceiling. The first forms a vegetable island in the social area, from two curved platforms with branches that reach the ceiling. In the bottom image, the ivy vine hanging from the ceiling is supported by metal bars that stick out of the floor on the left and are attached to the wall on the right. This system has automatic drip irrigation, to keep the plant moist. 

Photos: OfficeSnapShot