QIC Trims’ aluminium extrusions shroud the ceiling of Sutherland’s city hall

QIC Trims provided custom aluminium extrusion profiles to support the ceiling installation of a city hall development in Sunderland. The project is expected to save the city council £22 million in operational costs over 25 years and will house 1,200 employees.

The project's main contractor, Bowmer and Kirkland, chose QIC Trims to create a trim solution for the ceilings. QIC Trims' 'US Ceiling Raft' range was specifically designed for this purpose. The technical team from QIC Trims collaborated with the architect and sub-contractor to manage the ceiling's design through multiple allocations.

After a round of extensive dialogues and R&D, the firm selected US04 aluminium extrusions to construct the ceiling. According to the company, this would elevate the construction features alongside giving it a tough covering.

The council will share the 17,755m² building with other tenants, including office spaces, a fitness room, and an employment centre. The interior was redesigned by Faulkner Browns Architects, featuring a modern look and a Troldtekt 'floating cloud' ceiling system that adds style while improving acoustics in open areas.

Sunderland City Hall won a BCO award for its innovative design, including the superbly designed ceiling by QIC Trims. Judges praised the uplifting workspace as a benchmark for other northern projects.