Reverberation Control in a Worship Space: Lakes Church in Lakeland, FL

• Project: Lakes Church Worship Center Renovation
• Address: 1010 E Memorial Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33801
• Client: Lakes Church in Lakeland, FL
• Facility Type: Worship Auditorium & Education Facility
• Objective: Enhance speech clarity & cut excess reverb
• Scope: 98,000 sq ft of ACT, wall panels & stretched fabric

Lakes Church recently underwent a major campus-wide renovation to modernize its facilities and improve acoustic performance in its primary worship spaces. As part of this transformation, the team at Commercial Acoustics was brought in to solve a persistent issue common in sanctuaries and multipurpose religious spaces—excessive reverberation.

With nearly 100,000 square feet of upgraded space—including the main auditorium, lobby, and academy classrooms—our team designed and installed a suite of sound-absorbing materials tailored to enhance worship clarity, control echo, and preserve the beauty of the architecture.

For any architect or general contractor working on a large worship hall, the scale of Lakes Church posed both an opportunity and a challenge. It required careful integration of reverberation control methods that not only reduced echo but respected the sanctity and aesthetics of the environment. Our multi-system approach ensured the acoustical design supported both spoken word and music-driven worship formats.

• Reverb Time: RT60 must be under 1.2 seconds for clear speech
• Surface Treatment: Absorptive materials reduce echo & reflections
• Balance: Absorption & diffusion must work together for natural sound

Worship sanctuaries are often built with high ceilings, long walls, and hard surfaces—elements that contribute to excessive echo and muddled speech. In many cases, congregants report difficulty hearing sermons or lyrics clearly, especially from the back of the room.

At Lakes Church, these principles were central to the design. By applying NRC-rated materials to key surface areas, we significantly reduced sound bounce and echo across the entire sanctuary footprint.

• Tile Selection: 2’x2’ Dune ACT on 15/16” Prelude grid
• Dual Purpose: Reverb control & concealment of MEP systems
• Finish Detail: Axium trim for seamless, crack-free transitions

In the worship auditorium at Lakes Church, we installed 2’x2’ Dune acoustic ceiling tiles on a 15/16” Prelude grid to serve as the first layer of reverberation control. These tiles were chosen for their clean finish, high NRC rating, and ability to integrate quickly into the space without disrupting other systems. In large worship spaces with hard ceilings and minimal overhead absorption, this type of ceiling treatment is essential for keeping speech intelligible and controlling ambient noise.

The grid also provided critical concealment for mechanical, electrical & plumbing systems—without compromising long-term access for maintenance. To complete the look, we installed a thick Axium trim around the perimeter, creating a clean architectural edge with no visible cracks or gaps. In performance-driven worship environments like this one, even ceiling finishes must support both function & aesthetics.

• Panel Type: 2” fabric-wrapped panels with high NRC performance
• Placement: Installed on side & rear auditorium walls
• Visual Impact: Soft mosaic texture customized to match finishes

To address sound reflections from the side and rear walls of the auditorium, we installed 2” fabric-wrapped acoustic wall panels in a custom layout. These panels significantly improved sermon intelligibility & vocal clarity during worship services by absorbing mid- and high-frequency echoes.

Beyond performance, the panels introduced a soft, mosaic-style texture that elevated the visual aesthetic of the room. Custom color selections helped tie the acoustic treatment seamlessly into the church’s updated interior palette.

• Coverage: Full-height acoustic fabric wall systems
• Purpose: Eliminates harsh echo from flat, reflective surfaces
• Effect: Warmer, clearer sound without visual compromise

The stretched fabric wall system was one of the most visually distinctive elements added during the renovation. Designed to span floor to ceiling, it provided full-surface absorption in areas where echo and reverberation were most pronounced.

This type of treatment is especially effective in older or architecturally large worship spaces where flat walls often reflect sound energy back into the room. At Lakes Church, it transformed the acoustic warmth of the space without disrupting the visual flow of the sanctuary.

• Speech Clarity: Ensures sermons are heard from front to back
• Musical Support: Enhances congregational singing & live audio
• Multi-Zone Focus: Treats both sanctuary & adjacent gathering areas

Working in active worship environments requires both logistical care and design sensitivity. As an acoustic consultant for worship spaces, our team developed a phased installation plan that allowed Lakes Church to continue services in nearby areas without disruption.

Equally important, every acoustic solution was tailored to how the sanctuary is used—Sunday messages, music rehearsals, and weekday gatherings all require different sound dynamics. By addressing each major sound path with intention, we helped the church foster an atmosphere of clarity, comfort, and connection.

The renovation at Lakes Church highlights what’s possible when acoustic design is fully integrated into a worship facility. From ceiling tiles to full-height fabric walls, every product we installed served a specific acoustic function while aligning with the church’s visual and spiritual values.

For architects and GCs tasked with delivering high-performance worship spaces, this project is a clear example of what tailored reverberation control can achieve—clarity, comfort, and beauty working together.

If you’re planning a sanctuary renovation or new construction and need expertise in acoustic integration, contact our team at Commercial Acoustics. We’ll provide submittals, layout support, and the right materials to meet your project’s vision, performance goals, and timeline.