In 2026, we were proud to contribute to the ongoing renovation and enhancement of the Allan P. Kirby, Jr. Center for Constitutional Studies and Citizenship at Hillsdale College’s Washington, D.C. campus. This project is part of a major transformation of the facility, designed to support the college’s expanding academic programs with new lecture spaces, seminar rooms, library areas, and gathering environments while maintaining the building’s classical architectural character. Our scope focused on the installation of a StarSilent® Smooth acoustical plaster ceiling system, a high-performance solution that delivers exceptional sound absorption within a seamless, monolithic finish.

Working within a highly detailed interior that demanded both precision and coordination with adjacent trades, we installed the complete StarSilent panel assembly over rigid cold-rolled channel and hat channel framing in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s requirements. The system incorporated 25 mm sheathing panels, integrated joint treatment, base coat plaster, and a smooth finish coat to create a continuous surface free of visible joints or mechanical interruptions. A full-scale mock-up of a coffered ceiling feature was constructed on site for review and approval, allowing the design team to evaluate the visual depth, crisp transitions, and overall aesthetic before full production began.

The acoustical plaster ceilings play an essential role in the function of the Kirby Center’s lecture and learning spaces, where speech intelligibility and controlled reverberation are critical. At the same time, the finished surfaces complement the building’s formal, classically inspired interiors, demonstrating how modern acoustical performance can be integrated without compromising architectural intent.

Throughout the installation, our team coordinated closely with the construction manager, framing contractor, and design professionals to ensure proper substrate tolerances, sequencing, and environmental conditions for the plaster application. The result is a refined, seamless ceiling system that supports the Kirby Center’s mission as a place for lectures, seminars, and scholarly engagement, while reflecting the level of craftsmanship required for one of Hillsdale College’s most prominent academic spaces in the nation’s capital.