Soundproofing in Healthcare: Shands Hospital Guesthouse in Gainesville, FL

• Project: Soundproofing Installation for a Six-Story Healthcare Guesthouse
• Address: 1514 SW 14th St, Gainesville, FL 32608
• Facility Type: Marriott-Branded Hospital Guesthouse at UF Health Shands
• Client: Walker Architects / Shands Hospital
• Objective: Achieve STC 55 for Guestroom & Corridor Walls per Marriott Standards
• Scope: Acoustic Consulting, Wall Assembly Optimization, Material Installation

The Shands Guesthouse at the University of Florida campus was designed to offer comfort and privacy for visitors and families of patients receiving care at Shands Hospital. As part of the project, Commercial Acoustics was engaged to provide soundproofing in healthcare that met Marriott’s acoustic brand standards—ensuring every guest experienced a quiet, restful environment within a busy medical campus.

Because hospitals and healthcare guest facilities experience constant movement—wheelchairs, medical staff, visitors, and HVAC systems—sound control was a critical design factor. The architectural team at Walker Architects collaborated with an independent acoustical consultant, who recommended the use of Commercial Acoustics’ Wall Blokker Lite to achieve the required STC 55 performance for partition walls between rooms and corridors.

Completed in 2020 and now operating as Hotel Eleo at the University of Florida, the six-story, 174-room facility provides contemporary accommodations for UF Health Shands patients, families, and caregivers. Designed by Walker Architects and constructed by Barr & Barr, the $32 million project combines modern hospitality with healthcare functionality—offering guests a peaceful retreat just steps from the hospital. Commercial Acoustics’ high-performance soundproofing helped ensure the hotel’s tranquil atmosphere, creating a quiet, restorative environment that aligns with UF Health’s mission of compassionate care.

• High STC Requirements: Marriott standards mandate STC 55 for guestroom demising walls
• Budget & Schedule Pressures: Tight deadlines and value engineering constraints
• Mixed-Use Environment: Hospitality comfort within an active healthcare setting

Healthcare environments demand more than typical soundproofing. In this case, the design had to meet both hospitality and healthcare criteria—providing the acoustic isolation of a hotel while accommodating the infrastructure of a medical campus. This type of soundproofing in healthcare requires precision to balance comfort, privacy, and performance. Traditional methods of layering multiple sheets of drywall were initially proposed, but the consultant determined this would not yield the expected results and would add unnecessary cost and labor.

Commercial Acoustics’ Wall Blokker Lite, a 1/16” EVA-based mass loaded vinyl (MLV) membrane weighing 0.6 lb/sf, was selected for its proven performance and thin profile. This product allows architects and contractors to meet luxury sound ratings without doubling up on drywall layers—saving time and reducing material costs while maintaining UL compliance and tested STC performance.

• Material: Wall Blokker Lite – 0.6 lb/sf EVA-based MLV Membrane
• Performance: Achieved STC 55 on 25-Gauge, 24” OC Studs with Single Drywall Layer
• Installation Area: 180,000 Square Feet Across Six Floors

The installation team at Commercial Acoustics coordinated closely with the general contractor and drywall subcontractors to streamline installation within the building’s top-out schedule. The soundproofing in healthcare membrane was installed horizontally in 4-foot-wide rolls, allowing mechanical, electrical, and plumbing trades to complete their penetrations efficiently after placement.

This approach not only reduced construction time but also improved consistency in sound isolation across the facility. By combining material expertise with field coordination, Commercial Acoustics delivered a cost-effective acoustic system that maintained Marriott’s luxury standard of comfort for hospital guests.

• STC Compliance: Exceeded Marriott’s STC 55 Requirement
• Project Duration: One Month with a Five-Man Installation Crew
• Outcome: Lower Cost, Faster Build, Verified Acoustic Integrity

Once complete, the Shands Guesthouse achieved its targeted sound isolation ratings and successfully passed third-party acoustic verification. Guests and hospital administrators alike praised the comfort and quietness of the new facility—particularly important in a setting where rest and recovery are paramount.

This soundproofing in healthcare project demonstrated how high acoustic performance can coexist with budget and scheduling demands, setting a precedent for future healthcare and hospitality developments.

Soundproofing in healthcare settings requires more than just quiet walls—it’s about creating healing, restorative environments that respect patient and guest privacy. At the Shands Hospital Guesthouse, Commercial Acoustics achieved that balance through careful coordination, lab-tested materials, and experienced installation.

Whether the need is a medical office, patient wing, or hospital guest lodging, Commercial Acoustics provides turnkey design, fabrication, and installation services tailored to each facility’s acoustic and operational needs. To discuss your next project or request a consultation, contact Commercial Acoustics.