April 2, 2025
Transforming Spaces with StarSilent – Glendale Central Library Youth Spaces
In November 2024, the City of Glendale’s Central Library celebrated the grand opening of its newly renovated Youth Spaces—thoughtfully designed by Johnson Favaro to inspire creativity, learning, and exploration. A central feature of the renovation is a stunning installation of StarSilent seamless, sound-absorbing plaster, which transforms the Children’s Space into a dynamic and engaging environment for young visitors.
StarSilent is an innovative acoustical system composed of a sound-absorbing substrate panel made from recycled glass. Once mounted to the ceiling framework, the panels are finished with a smooth, trowel-applied plaster. The Children’s Space ceiling presented unique challenges, including a domed ceiling with compound curves, intricate multi-colored painted patterns, and ornate trimwork—all of which StarSilent accommodated with exceptional versatility.
The successful execution of this ambitious design was made possible through the expert craftsmanship of Mirage Builders. To preserve the material’s acoustical properties, the plaster was painted using a specialized, non-bridging, spray-applied technique. Multiple colors were applied with precision, requiring detailed masking across sections of the ceiling. Adding further intricacy to the project was a custom-milled, scalloped trim finished in gold paint. This delicate feature was meticulously installed through the plaster—without compromising either the acoustic performance or the finish quality.
The acoustic design of the project was guided by consultation from Antonio Acoustics. A special thank you to Zaw Studios for capturing these beautiful photographs. We invite you to visit the Glendale Central Library and experience the magic of these Youth Spaces in person.