Awards

Every year, Rulon Company identifies high-end or high-profile projects where Rulon has manufactured a special ceiling and submits them for industry awards. Every year, Rulon turns out to be a winner. In 2010, Rulon Company submitted five projects for award consideration through the Ceilings & Interior Systems Construction Association, or CISCA. Four out of the five projects submitted were winners including the Founder’s Award, considered the grand prize.

The links above highlight some of our award winning projects for 2010 awarded in the Spring of 2011.

Community College of Baltimore County

Bronze award

The library at the Community College of Baltimore County, or CCBC, in Catonsville, Baltimore is the college's first newly constructed building in 10 years. Consisting of more than 75,000 square feet, the building was designed to LEED Silver certification standards with Rulon's Flat Veneered panels and Aluratone 100 Acoustical wood wall and ceiling panels contributing LEED credits towards the final certification.

Gaudreau Architects designed the main entrance and 4 story lobby, showcasing the flat panels and the Aluratone 100 panels. They were chosen for both aesthetics as well as a high performance sound absorbing feature. The panels featured a cherry veneer with a custom stain.

Cain Contracting did a fine job on the installation and deserve due credit.

College of Charleston Craig Hall

Bronze award

Located in the heart of historic Charleston South Carolina, the College of Charleston is known for its beautiful campus, contemporary facilities and cutting-edge educational programs. The architectural firm Liollio Architecture was assigned the challenging task of achieving a design that would contribute to a visitor's experience.

The architects came through with a one of a kind design. The new design featured one wall and floor which were completely covered in wood. It has the appearance of an uninterrupted continuous design from ceiling to wall to floor. The transitional curved corners of the walls were achieved by using Rulon's Curvalon custom wood curved ceiling and wall panels. Bonitz Contracting was responsible for the installation of ceiling and wall panels. All of which contributed LEED credits for a LEED SILVER Certification.

What a fantastic project. Rulon's Curvalon was the answer to Liollio Architectures' design challenge.

Georgia Gwinnett College Library

Silver Award

The library at Georgia Gwinnett College in Lawrenceville, Georgia obtained a LEED Silver certification. Pursuit of the LEED certification drove aesthetics and planning decisions.

Within the library, Rulon's Curvalon custom curved, wood-ceiling panels covers the large ceiling area. This ceiling required close coordination between Rulon, the architects at Leo Daly Architecture and and Brill Enterprises, the installers. A cherry wood veneer with a custom stain was used for the ceiling

The ceiling at the Georgia Gwinnett College Library is a unique, one-if-a-kind ceiling design. The added benefits of LEED point contribution using this ceiling helped achieve a Silver LEED certification!

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, or KAUST, is a shining example of sustainable design injected into a world-class university. The efforts put forth earned KAUST a Platinum LEED rating. Rulon's wood ceiing and wall systems contributed LEED credits towards the LEED Platinum certification. The designer at HOK did a fantastic design.

Rulon sent over 250,000 square feet of product. Installation took over six months to complete! Rulon manufactured many product lines for the Kaust project; Panel Grilles, Linear wood ceiling and wall systems, Aluratone acoustical wood wall and ceiling systems, IPE beams and flat wood veneered panels

Upon walking through the main breezeway, one can see the linear wood ceiling in the main passage way and also the ceilings in the adjacent student rooms. The wood in the main passage way ceiling used a six inch linear open wood ceiling made up of IPE, while the linear wood ceiling in the student areas used Oak with custom stains. The suspended ceiling created a plenum covering infrastructure, while still allowing accessibility.

In the main elevator area, IPE beams were used to cover the exterior of the elevators, which seem to stretch all the way to the ceiling. Two elevators straddled the main atrium or lobby area adding to the grandeur.

Such a large building had areas that were very open and susceptible to extraneous noise. These areas of the university, including the auditorium and the exhibit halls, incorporated Rulon's Aluratone acoustical wood panels. They were used on the walls to address sound control effectively.

In the main engineering education area of the university, Panel Grilles were used in the hallways. This created a warm environment while maintaining a high-end appearance throughout. This Panel Grille ceiling system had a continuous look but still allowed access to the above infrastructure.

KAUST achieved a LEED Platinum status. The wood ceiling and wall systems contributed to the overall LEED rating.

The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy

Gold Award

The University of Maryland, School of Pharmacy, founded in 1841, is the fourth oldest school of pharmacy in the nation. In 2008, an addition was built and added to the pharmacy hall.

As soon as you enter the building, the massive 4 story open glass atrium displays ceilings and walls accented with the warmth and beauty of Rulon's Aluratone acoustical wood wall panels.

Venturing through the corridors leading from the Atrium, Rulon's Curvalon custom curved wood wall panels create undulating passages in and out of Lecture halls, study areas, conference rooms, and the Dean of the Pharmacy school's offices. All the panels were manufactured from FSC Certified woods and contributed LEED credits that lead to a LEED Silver certification.

The architects at Ellenzweig Architects really exercised their creative muscles while Commercial Interiors did an excellent job on the installation.

West Georgia Health Center

Bronze Award

The architects at Ellerbe Becket were tasked with designing the West Georgia Health Center. They wanted to do something extra special with the interior design. Guests and patients now enter a relaxed and therapeutic environment that helps reduce stress while providing a warm and comfortable setting. Rulon's Aluratone acoustical wood ceiling and wall panels were used in the main entrance lobby area. One benefit of using a wood ceiling in a medical center is that wood has a natural calming effect and is a useful element in creating a comfortable environment.

The Aluratone panels were designed and manufactured in a variety of asymmetrical shapes and sizes. When installed, the panels radiated outward at an angle. Dozens of varying sized and shaped panels were manufactured and installed. Atlas Drywall coordinated with Rulon and did a fine job on the installation.

West Georgia Medical Center now can proudly welcome visitors to a wonderfully designed interior.

Choctaw Casino and Hotel Resort

A new casino resort has risen in Durant, Oklahoma off highway 69. Billed as Oklahoma's newest premium destination, the Choctaw Casino & Hotel Resort now offers guests 110,000 square feet of gaming space. With 12 stories in the new facility, it is much taller than the building it is replacing.

The 2 year project was being led by Flintco, a contractor known for their fine work on Native American owned casinos. Green Country Interiors were chosen as the installers of the panelized linear wood ceiling that is featured throughout the main gaming floor.

The ceiling design called for a "checkered" pattern with Rulon's panelized 4 feet by 4 feet linear wood panels alternating 90 degrees every other panel. The panelized linear wood panels were suspended from the ceiling creating a plenum, which made the ceiling infrastructure fully accessible throughout the whole area. The many curving walls and trim on the ceiling surface meant a great deal of field cutting was involved. The installers from Green Country Interiors had to contend with the fact that the ceiling had to maintain a constant direction with all the reveals being consistent regardless of the odd shapes and angles occurring with the other structures. Careful attention to detail and proper handling allowed for a problem free and successful ceiling installation. Rulon made the panels from maple and applied a custom stain to match the surrounding finishes. The carefully chosen wood specie and stain complimented the many earth tones and elements prevalent throughout the casino.

Unlike the venues in the Las Vegas gaming area, Choctaw's casino facilities have an authentic look in regards to its material and design. The sleek, contemporary design of the overall interior and the genuine custom stained linear wood ceilings helped create a sophisticated environment.

Choctaw should be proud of another fine addition to their casino family.

Central Michigan University College of Education and Human Services

The College of Education and Human Services at Central Michigan University began with a goal to have their first LEED GOLD certified building on their campus. This charge enabled the design team of SHW GROUP to explore a wide range of materials for both the exterior and interior of the building.

Not only did the campus charge the project with being sustainable, but also required the building to be maintainable and resistant to the scratches and abuse often found in highly trafficked corridors. Rulon Company was chosen to help make all of the wood wall and ceiling panels throughout the project.

The team chose Rulon's Aluratone 700, perforated acoustical bamboo panels, to clad both one wall and ceiling of the project's main corridor. The versatility of the Aluratone 700 panels allowed for accessibility to cable trays found directly above the ceilings on each level. The presence of this natural material was indeed influential as it aided the design team. When choosing a color pallet for the interior; the team looked to the color of birds and fauna found in bamboo forests to naturally sync with the panels.

The bamboo panels also clad the main lecture hall. The segmented layout of the lecture hall required that the installers from the William Reichenbach Company provide exact field measurements to ensure the Aluratone wall panels were cut exactly to size at Rulon's factory. Any error in these measurements could have turned out to be disastrous. Coordination between the field, WRC's office and the Rulon ensured that these panels came out to the field perfectly ready for installation. The matching ceiling, while more basic with 2 foot by 2 foot solid panels, still presented challenges in dealing with the various slopes and trapezoidal shapes of the clouds. The requirement of achieving a specific NRC rating in the lecture hall also led to the specific perforation pattern on the individual panels. The Aluratone panels provided acoustic performance while conveying the warmth and richness found in the facility. The hard work and coordination between the Rulon, the architect and installer led to a great installation.

Central Michigan University can be proud of their newest addition. The overall design and successful installation of the high-end acoustical bamboo panels throughout the project has made for a stunning, new facility.

Georgia Southern University Foy Fine Arts Building

When Georgia Southern University needed to update and renovate their Foy Fine Arts building, they turned to Gardner, Spencer, Smith, Tench, & Hensley, P.C

This project successfully converted the Foy Building from a general arts instructional facility to an updated music facility. Not only was a fantastic new lobby added but the Carter Auditorium was completely renovated featuring a modern, contemporary design.

Upon entering the building, one is greeted by a beautiful lobby with walls clad in Rulon's wood veneered flat panels. These wood panels are covered with a cherry veneer, colored with a custom stain, creating a warm environment in the lobby area.

Continuing into the Carter auditorium, you are struck by the stunning interior design. The stage has 2 products prominently displayed. The ceiling above the stage features Rulon's Curvalon, custom-shaped and curved wood veneered panels or clouds. The Curvalon panels are veneered in Cherry with a custom stain finish. Not only do these panels provide an attractive design element for the stage but they also help provide acoustic reflection of sound from the stage area.

Along the backside of the stage are more of Rulon's flat veneered panels using a Cherry veneer finish with a custom stain. These panels cover the back wall from floor to ceiling. Along the walls extending past the stage into the seating area are Rulon's flat veneered panels covered in Maple. The natural Maple finish provides a desired stark contrast from the stained Cherry wood panels on the stage. The Maple panels cover the walls from floor to ceiling. Along the upper section of these walls are uniquely designed features of Rulon's Curvalon, custom-shaped, curved wood veneered panels that seem to protrude from the walls. This section presented technical challenges as the different sized panels had to fit perfectly like a puzzle. The reveal between each panel had to be exactly 3 eighths of an inch. The curved panels resemble stacked aspirin and are a creative, decorative touch to the auditorium walls.

The creative design of the Foy Fine Arts building and the excellent installation of the custom wood wall and ceiling panels have resulted in a beautiful building interior. A creatively designed building is now fitting for the creative minds that will fill its halls.

University of Florida Shands Cancer Center

Creating a more hospitable hospital is crucial to patient healing. Shands Cancer Hospital Complex was designed to be a welcoming, family friendly place that had a relaxing atmosphere. Wood features were introduced to contribute to the calm environment. One can actually smell wood from Rulon's panelized linear wood ceiling installed high over head in the main lobby area. The panelized linear wood ceiling was installed by L&D Ceilings, who did a great job. The solid wood panels were made from Poplar and had a custom Cherry stain finish. They were designed to provide 100 percent accessibility throughout the entire ceiling area. The panels were attached using C-hangers. The large ceiling area in the lobby required over 2200 square feet of the panelized linear wood. Upon closer examination, one can see how the panels were arranged so that the ends appeared staggered from each other panel. The contrasting line directions of the panelized linear wood ceiling against the surrounding curving wall created a desired contrasting ceiling design.

Other areas of the medical center where wood ceiling products were introduced include the elevator waiting areas and the meditation room. A small yet tasteful rectangular area using Rulon's wood veneered flat panels watches over visitors waiting for elevators on each floor. The medical center's meditation room was created to allow visitors and patients to experience a calm environment while dealing with complicated and serious medical issues. Rulon's wood veneered flat panels installed in the ceiling of this room not only matched the ceiling in the lobby but also featured factory cut, custom shaped panels that fit perfectly in the oval ceiling. The wood veneered ceiling contributed to the calm and soothing environment which compliments a waterfall feature included in the room.

Rulon Company was able to accommodate the custom nature of the ceiling requirements throughout the Cancer Center. Working closely with the architect and installer, the Rulon helped realize the goal of a fantastic medical center, which is dedicated to one of the world's most important cause. A beautiful ceiling was created and installed, while contributing to the opportunity for a Gold LEED certification.

University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy

At 280,000 square feet, the new College of Pharmacy Building at the University of Kentucky is the largest academic building in Kentucky and one of the largest in the nation. EOP Architects designed this state-of-the-art facility with very a tasteful interior design that creates a warm and comfortable learning environment.

Upon entering the main lobby area, visitors are greeted by a fantastic open space with light pouring in through the large glass windows. In such a large facility, it is important to have areas where students can sit and study in a comfortable and warm environment.

The main areas where students can lounge and study are outfitted with Rulon Company's Aluratone 500, acoustical wood ceiling panels suspended throughout the building. These panels were installed by the Cleveland Construction Company. The Aluratone 700 acoustical wood panels were veneered in Cherry and finished with a custom stain. Because a specific NRC rating was desired, the custom manufactured perforated panels delivered acoustic properties which helped achieve the goal of diminishing and dampening sound in the study areas. The amount of wood products used throughout these study areas required a uniform finish on the wood panels throughout the whole project. Each of the panels required a specific dimension of 2 feet by 5 feet with veneered return edges. Working closely with the Rulon, the installers, Cleveland Construction, were able to suspend the accessible panels using torsion springs, allowing for total access above. The Aluratone panels arrived at the work site with factory-cut light holes and pre-cut holes for other ceiling features. Minimum field cutting of the panels was required. One of the ceiling highlights is the ventilation area, which features Rulon's wood cubes ceiling system. This area matches the wood specie and color of the other Aluratone acoustical wood panels.

A jewel in the crown of the University of Kentucky, the new College of Pharmacy building is truly a stunning achievement. The blend of glass, concrete, metal and wood ceilings is a composition demonstrating great design.