George Washington University School of Health and Human Services

Curvalon Custom-Shaped Panels

The new George Washington University is a LEED-Certified Platinum building featuring a seven-story open interior. Throughout the entire seven floors, classrooms, offices and auditorium, Rulon International’s Curvatone Custom-Sh, which is prevalent throughout the interior walls and supporting columns. Contrasting the concrete are classrooms that are distinctly separated by their unique shape, rounded corners and the Curvatone panels enshrouding them. These Curvatone panels are custom-made by Rulon Interntaional and feature bamboo veneer. A combination of acoustical Curvatone and non-acoustical Curvatone panels were used.

The custom Curvatone panels for this project required Payette Architects to visit Rulon’s facility in St. Augustine, Florida and select from 6 mock-ups produced, displaying varying of styles and appearances. The panels that were finally selected feature a cross grain, meaning the grain of the bamboo veneer runs the same direction as the acoustical grooves. This feature was a manufacturing challenge, but the skilled team at Rulon was up to the task. Pillar Construction did an outstanding job on the installation and turned this beautiful design idea into a reality.