Material improvements make for better passenger experiences

The strength and beauty of timber means it has been a sought-after structural and finishing material that has been appreciated and valued by architects, designers and homeowners for thousands of years. Today, however, newer products are available that take the advantages and aesthetics of wood and combine them with other materials to create even more durable and practical products.

Key to the $69m refurbishment and upgrade of the Puhinui interchange, by leading architectural practice Jasmax, was creating a premium passenger experience. This has been achieved through the contemporary design, an easy and intuitive layout and the use of high-quality architectural finishes.

Jasmax specified Innoceil’s composite timber panel system as the lining for the station’s sculptural ceilings, to provide a feeling of warmth to the space, which is reinforced by the natural light flooding into the building through full-height, north-facing windows. The ceiling and the layout together mirror the flow of passengers from the platform to the upper concourse, assisting with the navigation through the two-level station.

Innoceil timber-look ceiling systems are designed for both commercial and residential applications. As well as offering the ability to create sophisticated architectural features—curves, waves and shadow effects in an interior space—these ceilings are also very lightweight, which reduces the need for an expensive structural support system, making them a cost-effective alternative to natural timber. They can also incorporate the basic building services such as lighting, ventilation, sprinklers and air vents.

For architects and developers looking to provide a fire-rated ceiling solution, there’s an additional advantage—Innoceil systems deliver excellent fire performance for interior Building Code compliance, making them a cost-effective and easy option. When the systems are specified for commercial interiors, they can be produced in a higher fire performance grade by special order. Because the fire-retardant properties are included in the material during the extrusion process, rather than being an intumescent coating, they are long-lasting and there’s no danger of them becoming less effective over time.

Additionally, Innoceil systems offer a high acoustic performance rating to ensure they provide the best possible sound quality and external noise reduction capabilities. A unique acoustic material in the product is designed to enhance sound absorption and reduce sound transmission, making it an ideal ceiling solution.

Depending on the look you’re after, Innoceil comes in a selection of profiles; the Slatted Ceiling System produces clean, straight lines that can vary in density and frequency from slat to slat, with battens spaced close together or wider apart to suit your individual design. Or the Shiplap Ceiling System, which is based on a traditional tongue and groove design, gives a clean finish with uniform joints and no visible fixings.

The Concealed Clip Fixing Ceiling System, which gives consistent shadow lines between boards, has a stainless-steel clip attached to the profile. This screws to the ceiling substrate without exposed fixings for a clean, uniform look. With the Suspended Click On System, the chosen profile is clipped onto a suspended carrier to secure it in the required position. This system is particularly well suited to areas where structural load is critical. Additionally, battens can easily be removed if required and replaced as necessary.

The product is prefinished in a choice of colours including American Oak, Western Red Cedar, Spotted Gum and Weathered Wood as well as textures of smooth, brushed, embossed and embedded natural wood grain.

The system is manufactured from timber milled in renewable forests only, making this a 100 per cent sustainable, environmentally friendly product.

Innoceil ceilings are easy to install using the INNOWOOD Ceiling System, which is designed to eliminate the need for unsightly exposed screws, nails, holes or surface fixings, ensuring that every ceiling has a clean, smooth and superior appearance.

An additional benefit is the ability to order the ceiling panels to specific lengths, another cost-saving measure.

Find out more about the range of Innoceil systems available for your next building project.