Fluted wall panels are a popular way to add shape and feature to a room by replacing a normally flat wall (or ceiling) surface with one that has a series of straight grooved recesses. Flute architecture dates back to the ancient Greeks, where it appeared on the stone columns and pilasters of temples, and has remained a feature in building design for hundreds of years. Design and Visual Concepts is a first-choice supplier of architectural mouldings and interior design features for high-profile projects, and specialises in wall panels and column cases.

What is a fluted panel?

A fluted panel is usually a piece of wood, glass fibre reinforced gypsum plaster (GRG) or other building material shaped in a regular repeating pattern of a linear or vertical design. The panel can vary in size depending on the application and material it is made from. In our case it is possible to mould GRG into almost any design of fluted panel, including curves and radii, where it is often more difficult to achieve this with other materials.

A fluted wall is a classic interior design feature that adds contrast and creates a play of light across a room. Adding a panel feature wall is a useful way to add some texture to an otherwise minimalist decorating theme. Fluted wall panels made of GRG can be decorated to match or contrast the space they are in. Contact us with your design drawings and we can arrange a quote to produce bespoke flute architecture to your dimensions.

Projects with panel feature walls

We have years of experience in manufacturing and installing architectural wall panels, some of which are fluted, others containing patterns or complimenting a particular design theme. Once such example is the Modern Foyer Design at 200 Hammersmith Road, where the concept of a rope theme ran throughout the build. Here we successfully incorporated rope patterns into moulded wall panels installed onto a framework hook and rail system.

Another example is the wide fluted wall we installed at a new office development in Manchester. Each of the 30 wall panels we manufactured for the reception area measured approximately 3m high by 0.6m wide and were cast individually using a bespoke mould.

Fluted columns

Column fluting originated as a visual trick to make a structural pillar appear more perfectly round than a plain, smooth column. Tradition dictates the number of grooves in a fluted column, either 20 for a design of the Doric order, or 24 for Corinthian, Ionic and composite orders.

Most of the GRG Columns DVC manufactures are smooth monolithic encasements designed to conceal structural columns and vertical building elements. However, we can also create fluted columns to order, giving architects and specifiers the opportunity to follow historic convention or realise their own design. The image below is of a bespoke GRG column with only a small number of flutes, yet it achieves the aesthetic and compliments its surroundings.

Glass reinforced gypsum

Moulding fluted wall panels and columns in GRG is a relatively fast and cost-effective solution for architects and specifiers in building design. Casting in a mould enables both creativity in design and accuracy in manufacturing. Both these elements contribute to an enhanced end product and the all-important visual appeal of great architecture well executed, something it is sometimes harder to achieve in un-moulded materials. GRG is an adaptable material which is light, strong and flame retardant – it is Class 0 fire rated.

For more information on designing and specifying architectural mouldings please download our brochure.

If you have questions or need specific advice about fluted wall panels and columns please contact us.