
Chock full of MEP infrastructure, ceilings can be a dead zone for design in expansive, open commercial spaces. This week, we’re showcasing products that, quite literally, call attention to what’s going on above building occupants’ heads—from a suspension luminaire whose minimalist cord serves as a design element in its own right to geometric acoustical tiles made from wool-wood cement.
Framework, Axo Light
Offering indirect illumination, the Framework luminaire by Italian designer Manuel Vivian for Axo Light is a subtle but luminous addition to the ceiling. Its white-painted, square or rectangular aluminum frame can be hung from or mounted to (shown) the ceiling or walls. Several sizes and mounting heights allow for multiple, overlapping installations. It is lamped with either two 54W or four 39W linear fluorescents and has a polycarbonate diffuser.

Kova for Bendheim Collection, Kova Textiles
Although architectural glass is typically specified for walls and partitions, the material can also add visual interest to the ceiling. New York–based Kova Textiles’ collection of decorative laminated glass for Bendheim emulates the look of crystal in white, black, and bronze colorways. The collection’s five textiles are laminated between two of Bendheim’s ultra-clear, low-iron glass lites.

Ecophon Solo-on-the-Wall, CertainTeed Ceilings
Applications requiring design versatility, such as open-plan offices and large commercial spaces, are often left with few creative alternatives to standard drop ceilings. From CertainTeed Ceilings, a new series of high-density, glass-fiber wall panels aims to manage acoustics while improving aesthetics. The Ecophon Solo-on-the-Wall panels are offered in circle, square, triangle, and octagon geometries. The low-VOC panels are made from 71% recycled content and feature a proprietary finish with 85% light reflectivity and 99% light diffusion.

Traullit, Baux
Known for its hexagonal acoustic wall tiles, Swedish studio Form Us With Love is taking its product-design business to the next level by founding Baux, a new practice that aims to give standard building materials an aesthetic boost. For starters, the team is expanding its line of recyclable wood-wool cement acoustic wall tiles (shown), Traullit, to include additional geometric shapes such as parallelograms, circles, and rectangles that can be mixed and matched on the walls and ceiling. The panels absorb sound while helping to regulate indoor humidity levels, Baux says. h/t: Dezeen

String Lights, Flos
The black electrical power cord not only supports this understated hanging luminaire but also allows designers to divide air space with custom geometry. Launched at Euroluce in Milan last year, String Lights by London-based designer Michael Anastassaides for Flos can be hung solo or as part of a larger installation. Offered with spherical or conical heads, it is lamped with a 2700K multichip LED that consumes 25W and has a CRI of 90.

Fabric Ducting and Diffusers, Prihoda Recycled
When seeking to increase the recycled content of finishes used in a space, designers can look to the HVAC components in the ceiling. Made from 100% post-consumer recycled content derived from plastic bottles, the flame-retardant and antimicrobial fabric ducting and diffusers from Prihoda are designed for interiors with exposed ceilings. The company uses global textile manufacturer Unifi's Repreve recycled fibers in the fabric duct, which features an open structure with micro-perforations to limit dust build up and allow fans to run more efficiently.
