Ann Whitney Olin Theater at Lewis and Clark Community College, Godfrey, Ill.
People: Architect, AAIC, Collinsville, Ill.; installer, Von Alst Operating, Swansea, Ill.
Products: Approximately 2,000 square feet of extruded aluminum Serpentina Waves Metal Ceiling Clouds from Armstrong Ceiling and Wall Systems in Lancaster, Pa., were used on the theater’s interior. The curved, preengineered metal ceiling system features large-scale panels and no visible grid. Designed to enhance both the aesthetics and acoustics of a space, the durable, three-dimensional metal ceiling system creates the appearance of a floating cloud with a wave profile and imparts a clean, sleek look. The system consists of a suspension system with a specially designed sleeve that fits over the grid. Metal infill panels then slide into the sleeve, eliminating the visual of main runners and cross tees, and creating a thin, ¼-inch black reveal between panels to provide a monolithic look. Three different metal infill panel sizes—including 2- by 8-foot, 2- by 10-foot, and 2- by 12-foot—were installed in the theater. All of these feature a silver satin finish, and all are perforated and backed with an acoustical fleece for improved sound control within the venue. The perforations are only 1/16 inch in diameter, which makes them virtually invisible.
Fine points: The 1,000-seat theater recently underwent a complete renovation in which almost everything except the seats were removed and upgraded.