Since its opening in 1976, the John Peace Library at the University of Texas at San Antonio had not seen any significant renovations. Students studying in the fortress-like concrete building complained of poor lighting, lack of study space and a general absence of aesthetics. The facility, which was long overdue for an upgrade, received it in March 2010.
Located in the heart of the space, the new Information Commons serves as a central location for research. A metal wave ceiling comprised of 154 2- by 5-foot Infusions Accent Canopies in 1/8-inchthick perforated aluminum from Armstrong Ceiling Systems, Lancaster, Pa., defines the space, which provides access to 125 new computer stations. The serpentine layout of the workstations reinforces the ceiling’s wave theme. Metal was chosen as the canopy material because of its durability.
Accent canopies can create a “space within a space” look by accentuating an area, providing a focus or creating a ceiling sculpture. In the case of the library, the undulating metal canopies add a unique design element that gives identity to the space and imparts a sense of scale, while still leaving the impression of more volume and space above them. Easy to install, the canopies are suspended from the building structure with a cable system.
The Bommarito Group, Austin, Texas, was the architect, and L&H Contracting, San Antonio, was the ceiling contractor.
Armstrong Ceiling Systems, www.armstrong.com
