Especially in large stores, the customer’s eye rarely falls on the design of the ceiling. Nevertheless, it is extremely important, because it contributes to the atmosphere and can contain some hidden gimmicks that are not unimportant for the safety and the overall room concept. So there is a lot to consider when designing the ceiling!
While in private homes it is often more a question of whether the ceiling light should be installed in the center or directly above the work surface, designers are confronted with other dimensions and challenges in large spaces. Here, not only must suitable lights be integrated, it is also a matter of enveloping the entire room in a certain mood, giving it depth and substance. And the best way to do that is through the ceiling. Although it is hardly noticeable at first glance, it is nevertheless perceived subconsciously. Since this has been recognized, large chain stores are happy to invest in designers who create the perfect ceiling for them. But what is actually a perfect ceiling, what belongs to it?
Functional and beautiful ceiling design
In addition to lighting design, a ceiling also needs other elements such as air conditioning, sprinkler systems, fire alarms, emergency lights, article surveillance, ventilation and sound systems. These items alone are difficult to accommodate in an appropriate design. But what has not yet been mentioned is the design itself. Simply hanging a white ceiling is hardly enough today. The ceiling must create an atmosphere and make the customer dive in and feel comfortable. Depending on the offer, this mood can be very different.
Design supermarket or electronics store appropriately?
While electronics stores are all about cool and modern design, clothing stores may also feature special 3D elements, such as a starry sky. Here, for example, it is quite possible to work with hidden projectors so that the whole thing looks even more natural. A supermarket, on the other hand, needs the impression of freshness and taste. Here, different colors like red and yellow can leave the appropriate impression. But there are even more tricks, such as soft music blaring from speakers and fresh scents like orange or peppermint that unobtrusively and gently dose fill the room.
Between concepts and possibilities, the optimal ceiling design takes shape
All these ideas must be implemented through the ceiling. Only here there is the necessary space for this. After all, the walls need to be filled with shelves and offers. And the floor is there for walking. So it’s the ceiling that has to bear the entire burden of the profit or loss of a store concept, so to speak. If you like, you can dangle oversized merchandise signs from the ceiling, provided it is sturdy enough. It is also theoretically possible to pull in tree trunks to turn a simple room into a rustic inn, for example. It helps the designers to get an idea of the conditions on site in advance and then, together with the business managers, to consider where the whole thing should go and what is needed to achieve it.
The fine line between imagination and reality
Between idea and reality can sometimes be worlds apart, but as a rule, so much is possible today. Thanks to modern materials! In addition to wood and plaster, it is special films and coatings that can achieve stunning effects. Black boxes help to hide the necessary technology later, so that the visual effect of the whole is not diminished. To make this happen, it takes many helping hands, which is why today several trades often work together on large ceiling projects rather than one company alone. After all, it takes the craftsman’s know-how, but also a lot of knowledge about the technology, because the whole thing doesn’t work entirely without it. In addition to lighting, this of course means fire detectors, sprinkler systems and air-conditioning systems. So there’s a lot to do, which is why old ceilings urgently need to go. For the sake of the customer and your own business!
Image copyright: fiphoto
