By Big River Group
“We selected Trespa Meteon panels to line the soffit ceiling of the new Ferry Basin Canopies alongside Queens Wharf for several reasons. In the first instance we wanted a product that is weather resistant, low maintenance and robust enough to be installed in a marine environment to withstand salt air and wind driven rain. Our soffit lining finish would be exposed and needed to be colour fast and fade resistant which Trespa Meteon can offer. From the Trespa colour and finish range we selected a timber grain finish providing the soffit with a wood-like appearance but with the longevity and durability of a high-pressure laminate. A key driver was to source a panel product that could be machined, worked, and cut without compromising its material integrity.
Working closely with Mana Whenua artists, full size Trespa panels were arranged across the soffit celling into a loose chevron tile layout. The artists then developed an abstracted sail motif that was ‘CNC’ routed into the panels across the ceiling plan. Using controlled CNC machining, each pattern cutout was routed in a single manner and direction providing the same intricate ‘carved’ texture across the soffit, which also revealed the panel core, providing a dark contrast finish to the wood grain panel surface.
The finished soffit has a crisp, clean appearance, with the wood grain offering a warm feel and ingrained with rich texture and pattern across the floating ceiling plane.”
Paulo Costa
Principal Architect, Isthmus Group
Big River Group is a leader in the plywood and panelling industry, dedicated to delivering innovative and comprehensive solutions. Under our umbrella, we have two specialized brands: Plytech Panels and Big River Panels.
Plytech Panels offers an extensive range of high-quality plywood and MDF-based products, bringing the best quality and latest innovations to the market. Catering to diverse applications and industries, including commercial, retail, architectural, joinery, marine, construction, engineering, and transport, our solutions are designed to meet the specific needs of each sector.
Big River Panels Big River Panels is a market leader in custom architectural panels, specializing in acoustic and fire-resistant wall and ceiling solutions. Our expertise lies in manufacturing made-to-order products, featuring advanced CNC work and a variety of finishes. We offer customized grooving, cutting, and coating options, delivering pre-finished products tailored to our clients' unique requirements.
At Big River Group, our commitment to quality and innovation drives us to deliver exceptional products and services that exceed industry standards. Our brand is built on transparency and trust, ensuring our products perform as promised. All technical information and sustainability certifications, such as EPDs, Red List Free, PEFC, FSC, and more, are readily available for our customers to see.