On Canada’s Atlantic coast, the Bedford Institute of Oceanography is the country’s largest ocean research facility, employing over 600 people across a sprawling 12-acre complex in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. From afar, the facility’s dark brick facades and rigid lines presents a staid, institutional face to city. Inside, however, oceanographic inspiration is artfully woven into the space thanks to an elegant — and acoustically engineered — ceiling installation courtesy of CertainTeed.
A seamless integration of function and style, the kinetic Ecophon Solo Baffle Wave installation artfully evokes rolling ocean waters while the sound-absorbing properties of CertainTeed’s innovative Akutex FT surface and fiberglass core ensure exceptional acoustic comfort in a busy space. Designed by EXP, the striking interior gives the sleek unframed baffles pride of place as a defining feature for the institution.
For CertainTeed, the project is proof positive of a technically sophisticated, detail-oriented philosophy built on close collaboration with designers. A leading North American manufacturer, CertainTeed consolidates ordering, product expertise, and technical support to create a seamless, one-stop destination, complementing a range of interior and exterior building products that includes drywall, insulation, gypsum, ceilings and roofing, as well as trims, railings and more.
The same bespoke approach and attention to detail is evident across the whole of CertainTeed’s portfolio. At the Calgary International Airport, for instance, the showpiece International Terminal is joined by a variety of CertainTeed ceiling and suspension components, drywall and finishing products.
Some 18,500 square metres of CertainTeed Decoustics wood panels span across the terminal’s ceiling, with an elegant Douglas Fir finish creating a visual signature for the DIALOG-designed interior. Perforated metal panels were used alongside the nature-inspired ceiling, while Sand Micro mineral fiber ceiling panels and Symphony ƒ fiberglass ceiling panels were installed throughout the terminal to ensure optimal acoustic conditions.
The complex and technically innovative project also features a wide selection of high-performance CertainTeed drywall, gypsum, backer and sheathing panels and joint compounds. According to DIALOG’s Rob Adamson, the project’s lead architect, the precise integration of a wide variety of products was key to the design’s success. “The multiple ceiling and gypsum solutions worked in conjunction with the other design features seamlessly,” says Adamson. “There were no particular design challenges, as the ceilings were modular and quite easy to deal with.”
From oceanic inspiration to a majestic wood vista, CertainTeed’s portfolio offers a wealth of possibilities. The company’s breadth of products is complemented by a culture of collaboration with designers of all stripes — whether its boutique architects or large, international firms. And while CertainTeed’s ceilings and walls are often aesthetic highlights in their own right, they can also serve as an elegantly understated complement to a broader design vision.
Designed by Foster + Partners, Gensler and Zeidler Partnership, The Bow is a case in point. Built as the headquarters for Encana (now Ovintiv), the high-rise icon is an instantly recognizable presence on the Calgary skyline. Inside, CertainTeed’s Metal Box Series ceilings quietly cap off the curved interiors with streamlined grace. Featuring crisp module definition — and made with up to 92 per cent recycled materials — the system combines a sustainable and stylish solution with exceptional versatility and ease of installation. In other words, it’s signature CertainTeed.
Lead image by Neil Koven.
This content was published by Azure on behalf of CertainTeed.
How CertainTeed’s Products — and Expertise — Bring Design to Life
The leading North American manufacturer combines a comprehensive one-stop portfolio with attention to detail and support for designers.