Can a plank ceiling design provide the same open effect as an open cell ceiling?

As an aluminum ceiling manufacturer working on projects from Dubai to Riyadh, we often get asked whether plank ceilings can achieve the airy openness of open cell ceilings. The short answer is yes—when thoughtfully specified. Open cell ceilings create generous sightlines to the plenum by using grid-like open modules; to emulate this with planks, designers use wider reveals, staggered plank widths, and intentional spacing combined with larger perforations and translucent backing to create depth. Perforated planks with proper acoustic backing can mimic the visual texture of open cells while offering superior acoustic tuning and cleaner edges. Another approach is mixing plank runs with intermittent open modules—use continuous plank fields for primary areas and insert open cell-like modules above circulation zones in malls or airport lounges in Doha and Cairo. Planks also allow integration of service access panels that read cleanly in the rhythm, avoiding the patchwork look that some open cell installations can produce. Lighting treatment is crucial: backlit planks or indirect uplighting can replicate the luminous plenum seen in open cell schemes in Beirut or Abu Dhabi, while preserving serviceability and fire performance. In coastal installations, plank systems with optimized drainage and corrosion-resistant finishes will outperform open cell systems made with unprotected metals. Ultimately, a plank ceiling can achieve the ‘open’ aesthetic if planned with spacing, perforation, and lighting in mind.