The movement towards the removal of suspended ceilings and the exposing of services and ceiling structures has opened up many interior design possibilities. Unfortunately, it also opens up the prospect of unwelcome noise transmission.

Vertical baffles will help with such environments while still allowing easy access to services. Fundamentally it still allows the spirit of opening up the room environment while providing consideration to the workspace users who simply need it.

Vertical systems can also be the most effective way to treat sound absorption. By increasing either the density of the amount of baffles or utilising different baffle depths, there are many ways to achieve a modest or fully suppressive acoustic scheme.

Noise transmission can be an unfortunate consequence in modern open plan open ceiling offices. The suppression of noise however does not have to be dealt with in a prescriptive and even uniform manner throughout a project. This presents an opportunity to inject texture, colour and design into the workspace

Designers can use baffles systems in many creative ways such as a backdrop to scheme which encompasses more fun or domestic style lighting. They can be used individually to break up the ceiling lines and can even be colour coded to demark various zones

The Blade system also works exceptionally well in light wells.

They can act as louvres to reduce solar glare while allowing the well to illuminate by night

Thermal mass principles are exploited using vertical elements as they allow thermals to pass up and around them and heat or cool the buildings concrete structure. Unfortunately flat acoustic panels will inhibit the optimum airflow in such buildings. When you then combine this with highly efficient and high output matching luminaires, the engineering design case is compelling

Blade can be supplied as standard in either standalone individual baffles or as a continuous system, Joiners and magnetic end caps make installation very simple. A channel for the cabling has been incorporated into the top of the luminaires to reduce visual clutter on the ceiling. It also allows simple plug and socket through wiring.

As standard the Spectral Blade system is supplied in a textured white finish.

Any RAL can be specified to suit the interior design colour palette.

However, nothing is impossible;

The project above shows the Blade adapted to incorporate actual oak wood panels.

Due in spring 2021, BLADE M40 will offer an alternative product to the established blade luminaire system.

These products are fabric based and feature a range of interchangeable optics and light modules for sustainable future servicing and upgradability. Whereas the standard Blade has acoustic properties when combined with a parallel baffle system, Blade M40 has individual acoustic properties.