Working with unusual materials always presents a challenge for manufacturers – especially when the product is a wood ceiling with complex geometry. This project, a university medical research building, incorporated bamboo veneer and a highly custom fabric wrap in a complex 9,400 square foot wall and ceiling system. To further add to the challenge of the project, a design change after the ceiling had already shipped required half the project to be shipped back to the factory and remade, all on a tight schedule.

Bamboo is the fastest-growing woody plant in the world, and thus provides an attractive option as an ecological building material. But, bamboo is technically classified as a grass and can react quite differently to changes in relative humidity in the environment. If the panels aren’t properly balanced, they can warp or crack due to changes in the moisture content of the air. All panels were specially balanced and mechanically stiffened to minimize the impact of wood movement.

Another complicating factor was the complex geometry of the ceiling. The architect’s design called for several triangular sections, starting with 14-foot-long panels. This presented a challenge from two perspectives. First, the diagonal cut required a large number of custom panels, each factory-cut to perfectly fit with the other panels. Second, bamboo veneer is typically unavailable in lengths longer than eight feet. In order to create 14-foot panels, we had to design a unique system of joining two seven-foot members into one long panel.

Despite the complicated design, the biggest challenge of the project came after the entire ceiling and wall system had shipped. The design originally called for half of the ceiling to consist of wood grille panels. After the ceiling was installed, the design was changed to include only linear wood panels. This not only presented a huge logistical challenge, the last-minute nature of the change meant an extremely short schedule. We were able to develop a process for remaking each grille panel into a linear panel without damaging the delicate finish of the wood – while still meeting the aggressive schedule requirements.

The end result is striking: The custom red fabric shines through the bamboo linear members to create a truly unique look that matches the atmosphere of the campus. The articulation of the ceiling and wall panels beautifully combines the wall and ceiling into one cohesive element. The bamboo on FSC™ core reflects the environmentally sustainable nature of the ceiling and contributes to the building’s LEED silver certification. All this was made possible by our expert design team and a high level of flexibility on the part of our production team.

*Although Alder Veneer is no longer offered by 9Wood, the 2700 Flush Joint Linear is 9Wood’s most cost-effective linear gives definition to veneered plank modules with a 1/16” width channel groove. Clean, versatile, and stunning.

Approaching the UCLA Hitch Commons building, the folded exterior ceiling with stained Douglas fir linears invites you inside. The ceiling’s natural tones and grain add warmth to the angular design, and elegantly ties in the natural surroundings. At first glance, the linear planks appear fairly ordinary, which is the intent. Upon inspection of the shop drawings however, the dimensions and details of the planks and end-joints reveal tight execution. The consistency of the installed ceiling was made possible by significant coordination and modeling. It was simplicity achieved through complexity.

The challenges presented by the ceiling design centered on the angled geometry. The first question was, why so many angles? Why not would be the better question, according to architect Geoff Doorn of Steinberg. “The building structure and ceiling were canted up at the west end to highlight the view. The intersection of sloping planes was required to match the building folds, as well as to create a rich visual impact.” The exterior angles continued through glazing, into the large interior space. 9Wood solid vertical grain Douglas-fir linears were selected due to their dimensional stability, meaning they could withstand swings in temperature and humidity.

Ten unique, articulating planes formed the facetted interior and exterior ceiling. The “folds” posed a challenge: how could the suspended linear planks appear as one width as they zig-zagged up and down each plane. And, when jumping ¾” reveals at the seams, how could their ends maintain alignment? To understand the complexity, 9Wood Drafter Robby Ball drew a 3-D model of the entire ceiling. Then the angled ceiling was “flattened” to measure each of the linear plank widths. Ball rounded every plank into one of three sizes: 3”, 3-1/8”, and 3-1/4”. The result: a suspended ceiling where all the linears appear as the same module. “By coming up with three sizes, it created classy and correct joinery. We found a simple approach to tackle a complex design.”

The 3-D modeling and head scratching up front cut out some of the complexity, and allowed the acoustical sub-contractor to focus their efforts on field-cuts at the angles. Matt Paul with Elljay Acoustics summarized the process: “9Wood did a great job with the shop drawings and grid layout drawings that made our job a lot easier.” The 2,500SF project still took 720 man hours to install.

Ball summed it up best: “The highlight was having all of the complex geometry come together. That was really satisfying.”