Bulky panels

Radiant panels are becoming increasingly popular, with many office building owners choosing to install them. Their slim design immediately adds valuable inches to ceiling height, which is a significant advantage in terms of maximizing space. However, this alternative to fan coil units does have some drawbacks when it comes to interior design. In addition to their questionable aesthetics, radiant panels that circulate cold water are rigid and bulky, making them difficult to move around to suit the needs of the project. Nor can they be encased. To overcome these constraints, a solution was developed by Facilitate, an Australian project manager, and Chambers Architects, a local architect, for the design of the Paris headquarters of The Trade Desk, an American multinational online marketing technology company. A system of sound-absorbing deflectors was suspended beneath the radiant panels. These conceal the installation, allow air to pass through, and incorporate variable overhead lighting, a common requirement for tech companies. The system resolves most of the disadvantages of radiant panels, but reduces the height gained, raising questions about their suitability in certain cases.