Walls & Ceilings

The study evaluated the Templok ceiling panels, suspension system, trim and installation labor, along with documentation showing the products meet domestic content and Foreign Entity of Concern requirements. Project-specific factors resulted in tax credits exceeding $25 per square foot, reducing final project costs by approximately 37%.

ExteriorInterior Contractors are navigating a rapidly changing legal and regulatory landscape, and staying ahead of those changes can make all the difference. In the latest episode of Walls & Ceilings’ “If Walls Could Talk,” Podcast, Executive Director Jill Bloom welcomes Trent Cotney, partner at Adams & Reese, to discuss the questions contractors are asking most during his recent industry presentations.

Up Front Walk into a pre-construction meeting where air barriers are on the agenda and the pattern is familiar. A fluid-applied membrane is specified, and the assumption follows that the enclosure problem is solved. Product selection becomes the proxy for performance. The energy code does not support that assumption. The industry continues to treat material properties as the primary driver of enclosure performance.

Catalyst Acoustics Group (Catalyst), the parent company of a leading portfolio of acoustic, seismic, vibration and noise control brands, has appointed James Hou as Group President. In his new role, Hou will oversee Fräsch, IAC Acoustics, Noise Barriers, Sound Seal and independent testing laboratory Riverbank Acoustical Laboratories. He will lead initiatives focused on operational excellence, commercial performance, customer experience and long-term growth across the company's portfolio.

Current Vice President of Sales and Marketing Eric Larson will become president and CEO on Jan. 1, 2027. Porter will remain with the company through June 30, 2027, as executive advisor to support the leadership transition. Porter joined CEMCO in 1987 as a sales representative and advanced through leadership roles including vice president, executive vice president and president and CEO.

When Walls & Ceilings spoke with Earll in 2025, she described USG's relationship with the Red Cross as a natural extension of the company's mission. At the time, she was serving as Vice Chair of the Illinois Red Cross Board and emphasized the importance of helping communities prepare for and recover from emergencies. "I am honored to serve as Board Chair of the Greater Chicago Chapter of the American Red Cross," Earll said in the announcement.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, joined by FDNY and Department of Buildings officials, briefs reporters July 7 on the emergency response. The discovery prompted city officials to declare the building unstable and begin emergency stabilization efforts. Mayor Zohran Mamdani said FDNY, the New York City Dept. of Buildings and other agencies responded shortly after 8 a.m. to reports of a structural issue at 235 E.

Walls and Ceilings News Panelists discuss workforce development and career pathways for women in the skilled trades during Synchrony’s Women in the Trades forum in West Chester, Ohio. From left: Synchrony leadersTheresa Kraus (moderator; SVP, Client Development and Sales Governance), Kelli Nesseth (SVP and GM), Marisa Diiorio (SVP, HR—Technology & Operations) and Fanaye Taye (SVP, HR) joined Kristin Gallup, 2025 President of Women in HVACR.

Ware Malcomb announced the appointment of Marian Morioka as director of interior architecture and design in the firm's San Francisco office. In her new role, Morioka will lead the firm's interior architecture and design studio in San Francisco, overseeing strategic growth, studio operations, client relationships, project performance and team development.

According to Armstrong, the new WoodWorks Shapes panels are designed to simplify the creation of complex-looking ceiling layouts while maintaining installation efficiency. The panels integrate into the standard DesignFlex suspension system, allowing designers to mix wood shapes with other DesignFlex products, including Calla, Ultima, Lyra, and MetalWorks Shapes.