Company:
Architen Landrell Manufacturing Ltd. Chepstow, Monmouthshire

Project Details

Fabric 1

PVC Mesh
Producer: Ferrari S.A.
Supplier: Ferrari S.A.


Design Name
Ceri Richards

Design Company
Architen Landrell

Fabrication Company
Architen Landrell

Project Manager Name
Brandon Pheiffer

Project Manager Company
Architen Landrell

Installation Company
Architen Landrell


Please describe the project specifications

Once a sewing room at the side of our large factory, the space has now been transformed into a modern office space which reflects our creativity, imagination and personality.

The centre piece for the office design is the undulating fabric ceiling. Made up of pieces of PVC coated polyester mesh suspended using aluminium extrusion, each panel was hand cut to create a unique shape. Combined with colour changing lighting around the perimeter and large halo lights suspended in between the fabric panels, the overall effect is striking.


What was the purpose of this project? What did the client request?

The fabric ceiling was designed to reflect what we do as a company, our creativity and to provide inspiration to our visiting clients. An unusual use for fabric, we wanted to show another way in which the materials of tensile architecture could be integrated to improve the aesthetics and performance of an internal space.
However, as well as this is serves a number of practical purposes:
a) It conceals the otherwise boring plasterboard ceiling above
b) The fabric helps to soften the acoustics of the space to improve the general ambience of the office
c) The rippling fabric provides an interesting form for our colour changing lighting


What is unique or complex about the project?

Despite over 30 years of working with interior and exterior fabric membranes we have never quite come across a design like this and we were keen to integrate a unique and striking fabric centrepiece to our working space.

The varied shape of the fins produces an eye-catching form and the use of mesh creates the Moiré effect which adds to the lightness and effervescent quality of the ceiling.


What were the results of the project?

Now a fully functional office space, the team are thrilled with their new working environment and the fabric membrane ceiling is the first thing that visitors comment on when welcomed in. We hope our creative approach to using fabric will inspire others to think of other new and exciting ways to use fabric in an interior setting.


Content is submitted by the participant. IFAI is not responsible for the content descriptions of the IAA award winners.