Impact-Resistant Sound Panels for School Gyms: Holton-Arms Girls School in Bethesda, MD

• Project: Gymnasium Acoustic Renovation at Holton-Arms School
• Address: 7303 River Rd, Bethesda, MD 20817
• Facility Type: Private K–12 School Athletic Center
• Architect // Contractor: CGS Architects // Coakley Williams Construction
• Objective: Improve Gym Acoustics While Withstanding High-Impact Activity
• Scope: Wall-Mounted Impact-Resistant Panels & Overhead Acoustic Baffles

Holton-Arms School in Bethesda, Maryland—a prestigious all-girls private institution—recently renovated its athletic center as part of a broader campus improvement initiative. One of the most critical upgrades involved integrating durable, high-performance acoustic treatments to improve sound quality and withstand the daily rigors of school athletics. Commercial Acoustics provided a customized solution featuring impact-resistant sound panels and high-mounted acoustic baffles tailored to the gym’s unique requirements.

• Founded: Established in 1901 by Jessie Moon Holton & Carolyn Hough Arms
• Relocation: Moved to Bethesda Campus on 57 Acres in 1963
• Legacy: One of the First Girls’ College-Prep Schools in the D.C. Area

Holton-Arms School was founded in 1901 in Washington, D.C., by educators Jessie Moon Holton and Carolyn Hough Arms as one of the area’s earliest college-preparatory schools for girls. In 1963, the school relocated to its current 57-acre campus in Bethesda, Maryland, allowing room for expanded academic and athletic facilities. Over the decades, Holton-Arms has developed a reputation for excellence in education, serving grades 3 through 12 and offering a rich blend of academics, arts, and athletics within a mission-driven community.

• Impact-Resistance: Panels Protect Wall Surfaces from Repeated Ball Strikes
• Durability: Built to Withstand Years of Intense Gymnasium Activity
• Coverage: 30% Wall Surface Treatment Across All Four Gym Walls

These impact-resistant sound panels were installed along the lower 20 feet of each wall—an area prone to direct contact from basketballs, dodgeballs, and gym equipment. The panels featured a tough outer surface and acoustic core, providing both protection and reverberation control. By covering approximately 30% of the wall area, the system achieved an ideal balance between performance, aesthetics, and available mounting space in a busy school gym setting.

• High Clearance: Panels Installed 30 Feet Above Floor, Safe from Ball Contact
• Patterned Layout: Suspended in an Alternating Lattice Configuration
• Precision Hanging: All Baffles Leveled Within a 1-Inch Height Tolerance

To control vertical sound reflections in the gym’s large open volume, Commercial Acoustics installed a series of ceiling-mounted acoustic baffles. Suspended approximately 30 feet above the finished floor, these sound panels were arranged in a lattice pattern per the architect’s design intent. This approach helped eliminate lingering echo and flutter while keeping the space visually open and obstruction-free.

• Obstacle Navigation: Field Cuts Around Hoops, Beams & Scoreboards
• Trade Coordination: Installed Alongside Flooring & Electrical Work
• Custom Layout: Adjusted Onsite to Maintain Coverage Integrity

Installing acoustic materials in an active renovation presented challenges that required close coordination. Our team modified panels onsite to fit around basketball backstops, wall-mounted scoreboards, and conduit systems. Maintaining acoustic coverage while working around gym infrastructure ensured optimal performance without interrupting the visual flow of the space. These field modifications are often essential in retrofit gymnasium projects where mechanical and structural elements must be preserved.

• Color Integration: Panel Finishes Matched School Branding
• Low Maintenance: Surfaces Resist Damage & Are Easy to Clean
• User Comfort: Better Acoustics Enhance Learning & Event Experiences

Every detail in the acoustic package was selected with education environments in mind. Panels were custom-colored to match the school’s branding, integrating seamlessly with the interior finishes. The materials selected are not only acoustically effective but also practical for high-traffic areas—resisting scuffs, finger marks, and wear from years of use. Improving gym acoustics also enhances student comprehension during events, PE instruction, and assemblies held in the space.

• Impact-Resistance: Panels Protect Wall Surfaces from Repeated Ball Strikes
• Durability: Built to Withstand Years of Intense Gymnasium Activity
• Coverage: 30% Wall Surface Treatment Across All Four Gym Walls

Commercial Acoustics partnered with GSC Architects and Coakley & Williams Construction to bring the Holton-Arms gymnasium renovation to life. As general contractor, Coakley & Williams oversaw significant improvements to the 1988-built facility, including the installation of new hardwood flooring, refinished interior walls, and updated gym equipment. The project also required selective demolition to accommodate new window openings and door replacements. Our impact-resistant sound panels and overhead acoustic treatments were carefully coordinated within this broader construction scope to enhance performance without disrupting the architectural or construction workflow.

Holton-Arms School’s athletic center renovation is a compelling example of performance meeting practicality. Through the use of impact-resistant wall panels and ceiling-mounted sound panels, the gym is now equipped with acoustics that enhance usability and endure the demands of daily student activity. The end result is a space that sounds better, looks refined, and will remain durable for years to come.

For architects and general contractors planning a gym upgrade, this project highlights how targeted acoustic solutions can dramatically improve functionality while fitting seamlessly into a school’s design language. If you’re designing a new gym or renovating an existing one, connect with our team to explore impact-resistant sound panel solutions tailored to your project.