Ceilings that stretch the imagination
Written by
18 September 2024
•
5 min read
ArchiPro speaks with Will Colhoun, Director of Barrisol Sydney, about the endless design possibilities of stretched ceilings for Australian Specifiers daring enough to make their projects stand out.
The first stretch ceiling was developed in 1969 by the French company Normalu; six years later, the company formed the Barrisol brand to break through the bland ceilings imposed upon specifiers to assist designs that stretch the imagination.
“Barrisol offers a complete line of products for architects, interior designers and end users,” says Will Colhoun, Director of Barrisol Sydney.
“For Barrisol, utilising technology to constantly improve our products and processes has allowed us to stay ahead of the competition and be awarded more than 80 patents for our technology.”
With 20 unique stretch ceiling systems, countless prestigious projects transformed, and a presence spanning 145 countries, Barrisol has continued to expand its innovative thinking to a global market.
Barrisol can transform ceilings and walls into functional art with its staggering palette of 230 unique colours, textures, finishes, prints and a translucent range. From Hobart’s The Hedberg recital hall to Melbourne’s bustling Federation Square, Barrisol’s stretch ceilings enhance some of Australia’s most prestigious spaces.
“Ceilings and walls are expansive spaces in design that can set the tone for a project,” says Colhoun. “The potential for ceilings or walls to serve as integral design elements is too often underestimated.”
Notable Australian Projects
Barrisol is represented nationally across Australia and New Zealand with distributors that work alongside Will Colhoun from Barrisol Sydney.
Melbourne’s Federation Square by Lab Architecture and Bates Smart was completed using a metal structure of geometric shapes in diamonds and quadrangles. The form, built in the Atrium and BMW Edge amphitheatre, offers originality through its high acoustic quality and intense luminescence.
To achieve this result, the translucent canvas was chosen to enhance the natural light, and the Barrisol Acoustic stretched ceiling was used for sound reduction. The interior design and furniture complement the awe-inspiring ceiling.
Located within the University of Tasmania, The Hedberg is a state-of-the-art recital hall. Architect, Liminal Archiecture, created a unique circular 3D-shaped stretched ceiling that utilises the innovative Barrisol Lumière Colour solution. This cutting-edge technology allows for a multitude of moods and ambiences to be made, thanks to the ability to vary the light and change the tones of the ceiling. The result is a truly immersive and dynamic experience for audiences, with the added benefit of superior acoustics.
Lamborghini Adelaide boasts a unique and cutting-edge lighting solution for its showroom using Barrisol Lumière. This innovative system utilises stretchable membranes to create a seamless, illuminated surface that enhances the visual appeal of the luxurious Lamborghini vehicles on display.
The Barrisol Lumière enables dynamic and customisable lighting effects, creating a truly immersive and memorable experience for customers. In addition to its aesthetic benefits, the system is also energy efficient and easy to maintain.
Housed within Sydney’s historic Landmark building, The Mint Bullion Room by Crone Architects, features a Barrisol stretch ceiling Blanc Lys. Blanc Lys delivers a bright, crisp white colour that fills the space with natural daylight and adds depth to any design scheme.
All Barrisol products are classified A+ (VOC) and comply with the strictest European and international fire safety standards, making them excellent for use in interior designs requiring high quality and safety standards.
New notable products
The brand’s investment in research and development ensures that Barrisol’s extensive range of products expresses innovation, imagination, and functionality. Barrisol ensures that its innovation extends to sustainable design principles, with its products containing up to 60 per cent recycled materials and being completely recyclable at the end of its life cycle.
Barrisol’s Lacquered Reflection membranes have been installed in some of the most prestigious locations around the globe. The collection boasts a remarkable 50-plus colour range, creating the illusion of a more expansive room while encouraging a unique atmosphere.
Barrisol Mirror sheets bring exceptional dimension to spaces, combining the reflective power of mirrors with the unique lightweight characteristics of Barrisol stretched sheets, creating the perfect illusion of extending the surface and providing the impression of space.
One of the brand's most recent innovations is the Barrisol CHRONOS, a translucent black sheet that, once illuminated, offers a diffusion of white light to bring an elegant and recessive touch to a ceiling while offering a wide choice of colours.
It is 100 per cent recyclable and adheres to the strictest standards regarding safety, health and the environment. It can carry a graphic art print in full colour – displaying a satin black ceiling when the backlight is off or a dimmable illuminated colour graphic ceiling when on. Barrisol CHRONOS can be acoustic, projected upon and conceal audio speakers.
Combined, these remarkable products make way for inspirational and unique spaces. Barrisol Sydney is set to break design constraints often imposed on specifiers by offering dynamic solutions for their projects.
View Barrisol’s extensive product range or contact Barrisol Sydney on ArchiPro today.
*Barrisol, CHRONOS, and Lumière are registered trademarks.