Suspended ceiling forms centrepiece for Aldar’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi

SAS International has announced that it has provided a System 150 metal suspended ceiling solution for the interior fit-out, for what is claimed to be the first spherical building of its kind in the region – Aldar’s headquarters at Al Raha Beach on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi. The Category A international office development, which was voted the Best Futuristic Design by The Building Exchange (BEX) Conference, held in Spain, has 50,000m2 of lettable space.

According to SAS International, the suspended ceiling system was required to make a significant contribution to acoustic comfort within the office areas, taking into consideration both open plan acoustic absorption and room-to-room privacy. In addition, acoustic flexibility for future tenants had to be considered, to suit individual space-planning requirements.

Given these specifications, SAS System 150 metal ceiling tiles, featuring a bespoke perforated pattern with 100mm wide plain borders, were specified for all floors throughout the 23-storey building, said SAS International. It explained that to compensate for the reduced area of perforation, a special pattern with an enlarged hole diameter was designed and combined with high-performance mineral wool acoustic inserts.

According to SAS International, a metal ceiling system was used, as it is a hygienic and a low-maintenance option over the course of its lifespan of more than 25 years, as it offers an inert and inherently hardwearing surface, resulting in a ceiling that is both sophisticated and practical.

SAS International claimed that the Aldar headquarters had sustainability credentials, as it has been developed in line with the LEED-rating system. It added that the commercial development had been built using a material palette that included steel, glass and concrete – materials that could be recycled.