Modern Acoustic Design for Collaboration Spaces: Pfizer Office Buildout in Tampa, FL

• Project: Acoustic Treatment for Conference & Team Rooms
• Address: Heights Union East, 2002 North Tampa St. Tampa, FL 33602
• Facility Type: Corporate Office Buildout
• Client: Pfizer, Inc.
• Objective: Deliver a Quiet, Acoustically Optimized Environment for Meetings & Calls
• Scope: Stretched Fabric Walls & Ceilings, Felt Panel Installation

Pfizer, one of the world’s leading biopharmaceutical companies, selected Heights Union East in Tampa, Florida as the location for its new regional office. Spanning four floors and over 100,000 square feet, the space includes a mix of private offices, open areas, conference rooms, and collaboration spaces. To ensure effective communication in these high-use areas, the project team prioritized modern acoustic design from the outset. Commercial Acoustics was brought in to furnish and install a suite of acoustic treatments, including stretched fabric systems and custom felt wall panels across various rooms.

• Collaboration Space Design: Acoustic Features Integrated into Shared Rooms
• Modern Acoustic Design: Specified Early to Avoid Retrofit Challenges
• Team Room Acoustics: Balanced Sound in Small-Group Environments

From phone booths to executive meeting spaces, Pfizer’s new office was designed with collaboration in mind. However, collaboration spaces are often plagued by poor speech intelligibility and excess reverberation—especially in offices with hard surfaces and modern aesthetics. To mitigate this, acoustic treatment was embedded in the construction phase.

By installing acoustic elements before occupancy, Pfizer avoided common retrofit challenges like limited room access and tenant disruption. Team rooms and phone rooms were outfitted with aesthetic Ribsy felt panels, while larger conference spaces were treated with performance-grade solutions like stretched fabric walls and ceilings.

• Stretched Fabric Panels: Installed Behind Monitors for Sound Clarity
• High-Impact Acoustic Treatment: Durable Fiberglass for Wall Applications
• Conference Room Design: Clean Aesthetic with Functional Acoustics

Conference rooms presented one of the most acoustically demanding areas in the buildout. With large monitors mounted on walls for video conferencing, sound reflections and echo had to be controlled without compromising the visual presentation.

To meet this challenge, Commercial Acoustics installed stretched fabric wall systems behind each display, using Camira-brand fabric sourced from London. The panels were backed with high-impact fiberglass to withstand daily wear, a crucial upgrade from standard fiberglass. Each installation required custom penetrations for outlets, TV brackets, and wall switches—tasks our installers executed with precision and care.

• Ceiling-Mounted Panels: Designed to Integrate Lights & A/V Devices
• Fur-Down Fabric Ceilings: Custom Framework for Penetration Access
• Modern Acoustic Design: Fully Coordinated Across Multiple Trades

The conference rooms also featured stretched fabric ceiling panels—a more complex scope requiring close collaboration with the project’s architect and general contractor. Each ceiling panel was constructed using 1″ thick, 6 pcf fiberglass wrapped in acoustically transparent Guilford of Maine fabric.

Unlike typical ceiling installs, these panels required numerous penetrations for microphones, lights, speakers, and occupancy sensors. To accommodate this, the design team developed a fur-down system using wood furring strips. This allowed for accessible panels and concealed wiring while maintaining visual cohesion.

Install sequencing was critical. Tracks were mounted first, followed by fiberglass, and finally the fabric—with precise cutting for each penetration. Our team coordinated with electrical and A/V contractors to ensure alignment and functionality throughout.

• Felt Wall Panels: Ribsy Panels Installed in Smaller Collaboration Rooms
• Collaboration Space Aesthetics: Sound-Softening Materials with Style
• Light Acoustic Absorption: Minimal NRC but Strong Visual Impact

In team rooms and phone booths, Pfizer opted for FilzFelt’s Ribsy felt panels. These wool-based panels were specified more for visual interest than high-performance sound absorption. While they do offer moderate acoustic benefit, their main function was to complement the modern, minimalist interiors.

Each panel came in 2′ x 6″ tiles and was adhered directly to walls with construction adhesive. Though not as sound-absorbent as fiberglass systems, these panels contributed to overall comfort and reduced harshness in confined areas. Their clean lines and natural tones helped distinguish each space while maintaining a cohesive design language throughout the office.

• Trade Coordination: Sequenced Work to Avoid Damage to Acoustic Materials
• Late-Phase Installation: Panels Added After Dust-Generating Activities
• Multi-Floor Scheduling: Agile Deployment Across Four Office Levels

Acoustic treatments are often among the final finishes in a construction timeline, requiring coordination with nearly every other trade. In Pfizer’s case, work had to be staggered across four floors and sequenced carefully around other crews.

Because fabric panels are vulnerable to dust and physical damage, our team installed them only after all overhead mechanical and drywall work had been completed. We shifted between scopes as rooms became available, maintaining tight communication with the general contractor and other trades. This agile scheduling helped prevent delays and ensured each space was delivered according to design intent.

Pfizer’s new Tampa office exemplifies what can be achieved when modern acoustic design is embedded from the start. From high-impact stretched fabric walls behind video monitors to tailored ceiling panels and soft felt finishes in team rooms, every acoustic element was thoughtfully selected and expertly installed.

Architects and general contractors working on similar corporate interiors should take note—incorporating acoustic treatments during design and pre-construction phases not only ensures functional success but also enhances end-user satisfaction. Whether you’re designing for digital collaboration, in-person meetings, or private reflection spaces, acoustic comfort is key to workplace productivity.

Your next collaboration space deserves more than just good looks—it should sound as good as it performs. Reach out to our team to explore how we can elevate your next office buildout with cutting-edge acoustic solutions.