Sound Control for Public Learning Spaces: Mote Science Education Aquarium in Sarasota, FL

• Project: Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA)
• Address: 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236
• Client: Willis A. Smith Construction
• Facility Type: Museum-Affiliated Instructional Space
• Objective: Enhance speech clarity & reduce echo in a high-traffic learning space
• Scope: Floor-to-ceiling stretched fabric acoustic wall

Mote Science Education Aquarium is known for its marine research and STEM education programs—hosting thousands of guests each year in its new state-of-the-art public learning spaces. One of the core spaces within the facility is a multipurpose room designed for presentations, events, and guided educational experiences.

While the space was visually striking, its open volume, hard surfaces, and minimal absorption created significant echo and poor speech intelligibility. As the acoustic consultant, Commercial Acoustics developed a targeted solution to control reverberation and eliminate flutter echo, ensuring presenters could project clearly and audiences could fully engage. Our work transformed the multipurpose room into a functional learning environment where communication and education could thrive.

• Reverberation: Long RT60 times made speech unclear & fatiguing
• Surfaces: Drywall & exposed ceilings offered no absorption
• Clarity: Echo & flutter made group communication difficult

When our team first assessed the space, the room exhibited long reverberation times and excessive echo—common in new public-facing facilities with high ceilings, drywall, and minimal soft surfaces. Every sound carried and reflected across the space, making it difficult for guests to understand presentations or participate in group learning activities.

This presented a challenge for Mote SEA’s mission: creating an engaging and accessible environment for science education. The room required an acoustic upgrade that could provide broad sound absorption, blend into the architectural finishes, and hold up in a high-traffic public setting.

• Core: 1″ thick fiberglass acoustic panels
• Facing: Blue stretched fabric
• Mounting System: Perimeter track system
• Finish Height: Full wall height coverage
• Placement: Rear & side wall surfaces

To address the issue, Commercial Acoustics installed a floor-to-ceiling stretched fabric acoustic wall system on the west and rear walls of the multipurpose room. The solution was designed specifically for sound control in large educational and event spaces.

This wall system acts as a broadband absorber, controlling mid- and high-frequency reverberation and improving speech clarity for both amplified and unamplified sound sources. The fiberglass core absorbs sound waves that would otherwise reflect off the hard perimeter surfaces, while the track-mounted fabric finish maintains a clean, professional appearance that supports the aquarium’s architectural theme.

To meet acoustic & aesthetic goals, the stretched fabric wall system was seamlessly integrated into the room’s design—delivering measurable performance without compromising finishes or branding. Key advantages of our fabric system include:

• Sound Control: Broad absorption without disrupting interior design
• Flexibility: Replaceable fabric skins for easy long-term upkeep
• Durability: Impact-resistant panels for high-traffic areas
• Aesthetics: Hidden fastening system for a clean, finished look

This solution improved speech intelligibility and eliminated echo within the multipurpose space. Visitors and educators now experience a calmer, more intelligible environment—supporting clear dialogue, engagement, and instruction. The fabric color matched the aquarium’s branding while maintaining acoustic transparency and long-term durability.

The stretched fabric wall system transformed the multipurpose room into a clearer, quieter space—delivering strong acoustic performance without compromising the design or schedule. Key results of our installation:

• Clarity: Reduced echo & improved speech intelligibility
• Coverage: Broadband absorption across vocal frequencies
• Execution: Phased install with no punch list items

Visitors and educators now experience a more comfortable, intelligible environment that supports engagement without auditory fatigue. Presenters no longer need to overcompensate with volume, and conversations feel more natural in the space. In the end, the project delivered both acoustic performance and architectural cohesion—making sound control a core part of the user experience.

At Mote Science Education Aquarium, sound control was key to creating a high-performance multipurpose room within one of Florida’s most innovative public learning spaces. Commercial Acoustics partnered early with the build team to deliver an acoustic wall system that met the design intent, stayed on schedule, and produced measurable results.

The floor-to-ceiling stretched fabric panels provided broadband absorption, reducing echo and improving speech intelligibility for presentations and events. Unlike retrofits, this system was integrated during construction—avoiding rework or AV adjustments post-occupancy. Its clean finish, durable core, and replaceable fabric made it ideal for high-traffic educational environments.

For architects, the project showed how acoustics can support design without compromise. For general contractors, it highlighted the value of phased installation and early coordination—with no punch list items and no delays due to the acoustic scope.

For acoustic design support, installation partnerships, or specification-ready products for your next public-facing facility, contact Commercial Acoustics.