SAS Bespoke Metal Ceilings Meet Strict Requirements for Glasgow’s Prestwick’s Award-Winning Air Traffic Control Centre

A barrel vaulted SAS System 200 metal ceiling from SAS International was specified by Crispin Wride Architects for the recently completed National Air Traffic Services building at Glasgow Prestwick Airport. The curve of the ceiling reduces the lighting glare on monitors while gantry accessed hinged ceiling panels avoid disruption to the 24 hour operation of the centre.

The centre showcases the next generation of Air Traffic Management Systems and was recently awarded a prestigious Association of Interior Specialists Award. Crispin Wride Architects specified SAS International because of their expertise in manufacturing bespoke ceilings; SAS were able to understand and develop the project design requirements into a working solution.

The around-the-clock nature of the work of air traffic controllers required the SAS ceiling panels to be installed with integrated hinged ceiling panels which open the entire length of the ceiling. Gantries suspended above the ceiling enabling lighting to be changed without distributing the air traffic controllers working below.

SAS provided a mock-up early in the design process to ensure that the indirect lighting worked with the vault ceiling to limit the amount of glare on the monitors, a key issue for air traffic controllers. The ceiling design was also developed to set-out and support this linear lighting.

SAS System 330 lay-on suspended metal ceilings were also specified for the corridors throughout the building. In the viewing gallery overlooking the operational floor a black low gloss SAS System 330 ceiling ensured glare was not projected into the operations room.

The building’s architect Crispin Wride said, ‘The SAS systems provided the flexibility to respond to the very different requirements in each of the areas of the project, from the exacting uniformity and curved form required to meet the glare characteristics required in the operations room, to the flexibility and accessibility necessary along the corridors to maintain the services above.’

All SAS ceiling panels are made of metal providing lower lifecycle costs due to their durability and ease of maintenance. They have high sustainability credentials as they are 100% recyclable at the end of the life.

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