CHAPEL AND CHURCH ACOUSTICS
PINTA PRODUCTS UPLIFT AIR NATIONAL GUARD CHAPEL
The ceiling of the chapel at the Minnesota Air National Guard 133rd Airlift Wing in St. Paul, Minn., suffered from sagging, discoloration and sub-par acoustics until it was treated with pinta acoustic products. Now, the chapel’s appearance complements its post-9/11 enhanced significance.
| Approximately 2,000 square feet of pinta custom willtec® panels were applied to the ceiling of the freestanding chapel. Each of the 120 beveled panels was field-cut by hand to fit within the chapel’s wooden beam ceiling framework and to fit around pendant lights. The panels were coated with almond-colored Hypalon® to blend with other tones in the almost 50-year-old chapel. To simplify the installation process, the old square ceiling tiles were not removed and the new panels from pinta were adhered directly to them. |
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“The importance of the chapel on a military base in the post-9/11 environment cannot be overemphasized,” says Barbara O’Brien, architect, Minnesota Air National Guard. “The Air National Guard base chapel is one of only two remaining in the United States. Old base chapels have been torn down when they needed significant repairs, and public funding for new chapels is nonexistent. So it is important for the Minnesota Air National Guard to preserve and maintain its base chapel. The chapel, which seats 125, is used every day for weddings, funerals, baptisms and special services, used every weekend for regularly scheduled religious services, and staffed full time.
“The new ceiling is beautiful,” says O’Brien. “It looks like it has been part of the chapel forever, which is the look we wanted to create. It blends perfectly with the architectural statement of the chapel and has improved the echo problem.”
“The product is clean, subtle and simple — a beautiful addition to the space that only enhances the aesthetics,” says Mary Beth Carlson from Heartland Acoustics, an independent pinta distributor. “The custom ceiling tile solution blends so well with the décor, it looks original.”
willtec panels are made from pinta’s proprietary acoustical material — a porous melamine — and are designed for adhesive-applied installations. In addition to providing sound control, willtec is Class 1 fire rated ASTM E-84, is flame and chemical resistant, and does not decompose or emit toxic gases when exposed to flame. The lightweight, flexible materials also can withstand temperature extremes.
To speak with a Memtech Acoustical consultant about custom willtec® panels, contact Memtech Acoustical
