6.3 Suspended Ceiling Design Process - Bilkent University

Suspended ceiling design process begins with a feasibility study, which
involves the client and the architect. If a suspended ceiling is required, the
next step is its design. Although suspended ceilings are constructed late in
construction phase, their designs should be undertaken in an early design
stage, since they affect several other building systems.
The earliest consideration in suspended ceiling design is plenum depth.
This decision necessitates information on required depths for HVAC and
lighting equipment; and structural members. Plenum depth should not only
be sufficient for services and equipment, but also allow enough extra
clearance for access panels to be lifted out. Structural element connection
details and HVAC and superstructure integration scheme are layout
considerations that affect plenum depth. There may be several options for
connecting structural members. For example, structural steel beams and
girders may be connected either by framing beams into girders or in a two-
layered system. The former scheme minimizes plenum depth and some
mechanical services can pass through the holes cut into the beam webs,
but large lines may have to be accumulated in the space below. The two-
layer system increases plenum depth considerably, but provides more
space for services. Similarly, HVAC and superstructure integration scheme
may adopt either a layered or a shared approach. The former requires
more plenum depth; however, it is more flexible. The latter may save
considerable space in the plenum, but it brings strict dimensional
117