The Innovation Centre at Zentia’s Gateshead facility is a destination workspace launched in early 2024 to foster collaboration, creativity, and innovation within the built environment. Purpose-designed for flexibility and engagement, the space includes two smaller meeting rooms and a large conference suite accommodating up to 60 people. Equipped with full AV presentation capabilities, the centre also features a striking ceiling grid designed to showcase Zentia’s latest product innovations.
THE CHALLENGE
A key priority for the large boardroom was ensuring the ceiling installation strongly reflected Zentia’s brand identity and its commitment to product innovation. As a high-traffic, customer-facing environment, the space needed to function not only as a meeting and collaboration hub, but also as a hands-on product showcase for visitors, clients, and internal teams.
Zentia specifically wanted to highlight its new Ebro AB mineral fibre ceiling tile, a true black acoustic tile designed to deliver both visual impact and balanced sound performance. This choice led to the main challenge of achieving a consistent, intentional deep black finish suitable for a highly visible showcase environment, while maintaining acoustic performance to allow the room to continue functioning as a comfortable meeting space.
THE SOLUTION
To meet these requirements, Ebro AB mineral fibre ceiling tiles (600×600, 15mm board edge) were installed within a DecoFrame Kit Classic floating canopy system to create a bold, high-impact feature ceiling.
The Ebro AB tiles deliver a true black finish (closest RAL 9005) with reliable acoustic performance. They were installed on a compatible black grid/canopy system to ensure visual continuity and deepen the overall black aesthetic. The approach demonstrated how high-quality black ceiling finishes can be achieved using standardised systems without compromising on performance, cost or design intent.
The project successfully bridges the gap between product showcase and real-world application. Visitors are now able to experience Zentia’s Ebro AB ceiling tiles in a fully functioning environment, demonstrating not just how the product looks, but how it performs in practice. By combining bold visual impact with acoustic performance, Zentia has created a space that not only showcases innovation, but actively embodies it.
