In a bid to inspire employees, clients, and the broader design community, Workplace Resource in Denver transformed the front of its showroom into a multipurpose gathering space anchored by a shimmering mirror ceiling.
Completed in September 2024, the 169.3 m² (1,822 sf) “Mirror Ceiling” installation is the centerpiece of a flexible lounge and event area that can accommodate up to 100 guests. Designed by Gensler Architecture and built by i2Construction, the dramatic ceiling features pebbled stainless steel panels fabricated and bent with aerospace-level precision.
“The goal of the ceiling was to create an element that helped define the otherwise very open and flexible entertaining space,” says Madeline Sapyta, creative studio director at Workplace Resource. “The high reflectivity and texture of the material created movement and drama in the space, allowing light to play off it.”
The design team selected Rigidized Metals’ Pattern 1WND stainless steel—a textured finish evoking “Wind on the Water”—for its light-bending quality and durability. Fabricated by Sheet Metal Supply (SMS) of Grayslake, Ill., and installed by SRB Acoustics of Centennial, Colo., each panel was laser-cut and bent with meticulous care.
“SMS produced a great design to make these flat panels into a ceiling tile,” says Dan Parker, project manager at SRB Acoustics. “Their design added substantial integrity to a ‘floppy’ panel and allowed us to make an accessible attachment to the Armstrong Heavy Duty Grid above.”
The 1.6 mm (0.06 in.) thick stainless steel panels—sized just under the material’s maximum 1,219 mm (48 in.) width—were bent on all sides to achieve the custom ceiling layout. SMS used proximity-sensor laser cutters and non-marking press brakes to avoid any damage to the mirrored surface, achieving a flawless finish.
Beyond its aesthetics, the stainless steel ceiling offers a sustainable solution: the material is fully recyclable, highly durable, and engineered for longevity. For Sapyta and the Workplace Resource team, the end result is a unique space that inspires and reflects both literally and figuratively.