As part of its major renovation programme, the Ahoy Convention Centre in Rotterdam has replaced its existing ceiling system with a new, innovative and sustainable range of applications developed by Hunter Douglas Architectural.
This world-renowned manufacturer of architectural ceiling systems replaced more than 17,000m² of ceiling with a range of modern and durable indoor and outdoor systems. Hunter Douglas Architectural has been known for years as an innovative manufacturer of first-class ceilings and walls for leading projects worldwide. The company has made significant contributions to the visual development of shopping centres, airports, government buildings, hospitals, universities and offices. Rotterdam Ahoy can now also be added to this list. With a conference and meeting centre, six exhibition and event halls and an indoor arena, Rotterdam Ahoy is a multifunctional accommodation in Rotterdam South. The capacity varies from just 10 to 25,000 people.
Smart and aesthetic solutions for heat, light, noise and energy control
Through ingenious engineering and the right product choices, Hunter Douglas Architectural has ensured the visions of the partners involved have come to life. For example, the Ahoy ceiling is equipped with smart and aesthetic solutions that control heat, light, sound and energy without making any concessions in terms of sustainability. The objectives and the versatile use of the event location had to be carefully and critically examined, which resulted in various practical and applicable solutions. For example, Cell Ceilings have been chosen for outdoor applications. These Luxalon® Exterior Ceilings from Hunter Douglas Architectural open up new possibilities for expressive architecture and add durability and beauty to the exterior of any building. The ceilings are made of special corrosion-resistant aluminum and are developed to withstand the most extreme weather conditions.
Translation of versatile objectives into practical applications
Hunter Douglas Architectural cell ceilings are also used inside the Ahoy. These high-quality aluminum grid ceilings work in interiors needing open and light constructions. They help to shape a space and provide interesting shading and light effects. These ceiling systems are also ideal for a plenum with limited depth. HeartFelt® modular felt ceilings, another innovative Hunter Douglas Architectural application, have also been chosen for Ahoy. The winner of the highest award of the Red Dot Award 2017 in the Product Design category, the special acoustic and visual properties perfectly match the versatile use of an event space. HeartFelt® is a modular, linear, felt panel made of non-woven thermoformed PES fibres. The system is C2C certified, making it an excellent sustainable application. The final Hunter Douglas Architectural ceiling to be selected for the inside of the stadium is the 300C / L ceiling. The wide ceiling plates are ideally suited to public areas with a high noise level, such as airports, shopping centres and conference buildings. Thanks to the excellent sound quality, a 300C / L ceiling transforms loud environments into spaces with pleasant acoustics. The acoustic comfort in a public building such as Rotterdam Ahoy is, of course, vital if visitors are to enjoy the best possible experience.
Designed to work for you
Hunter Douglas Architectural’s motto, “Designed to work for you”, certainly applies to an event hall such as Rotterdam Ahoy. Hunter Douglas Architectural’s range of ceiling products contributes to the sustainable goals of buildings through aesthetic solutions that simultaneously improve comfort and save energy. Only ecologically sound materials are used and Hunter Douglas Architectural is also committed to corporate social responsibility at every layer of the organisation.