Summit Partners

Challenge  

Summit Partners, a growth equity company, and its architect firm, Visnick & Caulfield, wanted to create eye-catching, suspended acoustical ceilings when remodeling two floors of its high-end office space. The design for the trapezoid-shaped boardroom featured a sawtooth pattern, a series of sharp V shapes made with custom sloped wood veneer acoustic ceiling panels, painted white. The reception area called for a monolithic, smooth curved look, utilizing custom fiberglass acoustic ceiling panels with a white coating. Decoustics® Claro® and Quadrillo® delivered on the acoustic and design standards.  

For easy ceiling access, the panels were installed in a unique suspended ceiling grid that allows each panel to be spring-loaded, eliminating the need for full panel removal and reinstallation during maintenance in the plenum. Using custom-designed butterfly clips, fit to each panel, this functionality also accommodated the lighting, sprinkler, and HVAC systems. The clip system made installation easier and faster, saving time and frustration, and simplifying future maintenance.

“The ceiling shape is itself a ‘summit,’ in that it’s simultaneously highly decorative, functional, and original. In addition, the high sound absorbency of the panels is perfect for addressing the audio concerns of the customer’s meetings.”

Sherry Niazmand, principal, Visnick & Caulfield

Success  

Strict attention to detail throughout the process was imperative. The proposed boardroom ceiling opening at 355 inches needed to be expanded to 369 inches. The V shapes, originally conceived to be all in one piece, would have complicated installation and panel access. Instead, the team introduced pre-assembled corners to the points of the V shapes. Additionally, AutoCAD software helped with the slope of the panels to work in the boardroom’s unusual trapezoidal shape.

The attention and clear communication within the team paid off. All panels fi t smoothly to replicate the desired razor-sharp V shapes and smooth curves. Once in place, the Claro and Quadrillo ceilings provided the desired ambience with excellent light distribution, and the acoustic control needed for conferences and in the busy reception area.