Architects and designers face a variety of challenges when choosing building materials for healthcare environments. These product decisions must balance occupant comfort and safety with performance and efficiency while also adhering to stringent industry guidelines and standards.
To facilitate design and functionality in healthcare spaces, the ceiling solution must have specific features such as sound absorption, infection resistance and fire safety.
Rockfon stone wool ceiling tiles — with their proven performance in the key areas of durability, sustainable protection and occupant health — are a trusted solution for a wide variety of commercial healthcare projects.
Browse the following case studies to see how architects across the country leverage Rockfon stone wool ceiling solutions to meet the demands of modern healthcare facilities.
Located in Berkeley, California, the three-story, 60,670-square-foot Kaiser Permanente – East Bay Berkeley Medical Office Building reflects the organization’s next-generation approach to healthcare building design. San Francisco-based KMD Architects led the interior design and planning for the project, specifying three types of Rockfon acoustic stone wool ceiling panels to help achieve the project’s aesthetic, performance and sustainability design goals.
“Elements of the interior aesthetic were chosen because they evoke a feeling of comfort, creating an environment for exchange and dialogue,” said Alvin Tang, MD, assistant physician-in-chief for Kaiser Permanente – East Bay.
In addition to helping patients feel at ease, the new facility’s use of Rockfon stone wool ceiling panels also helps keep them safe. Rockfon Medical Plus™ ceiling tiles are designed specifically for spaces such as healthcare facilities where hygiene and cleaning requirements are paramount. Rockfon Medical Plus ceiling tiles inhibit the growth of MRSA, and are tested per ASTM D4828 for washability, ASTM D2486 for scrub resistance, and ASTM D1308 for chemical resistance. These tiles also offer excellent sound absorption of up to NRC 0.90, promoting a healing environment.
Designed by Perkins&Will, the Uvalde Memorial Hospital replaced a 50-year-old facility at the end of its functional lifespan. Upgrading to a modern facility with advanced healthcare services and updated amenities required innovative design and a strong emphasis on patient and staff well-being to serve the growing needs of the five-county communities in rural southeastern Texas.
The new hospital creates “a user-friendly environment that puts our patients and visitors at the center,” said Tom Nordwick, UMH’s former president and CEO.
A key aspect of this design was acoustic control to create a healing environment that reduces disruptive noise. The implementation of Rockfon Medical Standard™ and Rockfon Alaska® ceiling tiles contributed to this goal by providing the recommended NRC of 0.90. And it shows. In March 2022, the building reopened and took top honors in Medicare’s Hospital Compare patient satisfaction categories when compared to nine other regional hospitals.
As a psychiatric hospital, the John S. Dunn Behavioral Sciences Center was designed with a clear focus on reducing patient stress by prioritizing acoustic comfort, maximizing natural daylight and providing access to nature — each chosen for its therapeutic benefits.
To bring this vision to life, AECO Interior Contractors installed more than 119,000 square feet of Rockfon ceiling systems throughout the Houston, Texas, facility. This included 80,000 square feet of Rockfon Alaska and Rockfon Tropic® stone wool ceiling panels, which were used extensively in provider offices to enhance comfort and functionality.
“The UTHealth Behavioral Sciences Center is a transformative project,” said Diana Davis, principal and managing director of the Houston studio, Perkins&Will. “Knowing that behavioral and mental health is a critical aspect of one’s holistic well-being, our team was thoughtful in approaching each design decision through research and with the interest of promoting healing.”
Order a sample to see for yourself.
The Friese Family Tower at Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center in Tarzana, California, represents a significant milestone in the hospital’s expansion. The five-story, 200,000-square-foot patient tower serves as the centerpiece of a project designed to enhance safety, sustainability and patient care.
In their commitment to green building practices, the design team at Perkins&Will selected Rockfon acoustic stone wool ceiling panels for the facility’s lobby, patient rooms, offices and service spaces. These panels comply with ISO Class 5 low particle-emission requirements and are GREENGUARD Gold certified, meeting California’s stringent standards for indoor air quality and chemical emissions.
The ceiling panels also contribute to acoustic and visual comfort within the tower. Rockfon Sonar® ceiling panels — with an NRC of up to 0.95 — help reduce noise and create quieter spaces critical for patient recovery and staff focus.
At Premier Gastroenterology Associates in San Antonio, Texas, infection control and sustainability were top priorities during the construction of their new facility. The design team selected Rockfon Medical Standard ceiling panels for their easy-to-clean, specially treated surfaces.
Made from recyclable stone wool, Rockfon ceiling panels are an inorganic material that eliminates corrosion and inhibits mold growth. Unlike wood or plant-based fibers that can decompose and promote microbial growth, stone wool has hygienic and eco-friendly benefits.
“Knowing that these panels do not mold or mildew, knowing that you can wipe them down easily, that they’re not going to sag and that they’re not going to fall out of the ceiling really gave us confidence in moving forward with the products that we selected,” said Lauren Dickey, WER Architects director of interiors.
Designed with healthcare environments in mind, Rockfon offers ceiling solutions that can adapt to a wide range of building codes and requirements. With superior acoustic control, hygiene, fire resistance and sustainability, Rockfon stone wool ceiling panels are built to endure in healthcare environments and create durable spaces that promote healing and comfort.
With Rockfon, you don’t have to choose between design and functionality. Experience the difference for yourself: Order a sample or get in touch to see how Rockfon can support your next healthcare project.
If you haven’t heard of Rockfon, we’re doing it right. We’re the world’s leading acoustic company – and our mission is to keep things quiet.
Our noise-absorbing systems, ceilings and walls soften everything from loud machinery to bubbly conversations. And they’re not just comfy to the ear, they’re beautiful, durable and protect against fire. All so that we humans can think, rest and enjoy life more. Sounds beautiful, right?
Our team of ceilings experts are here to help select the ideal Rockfon stone wool, metal & suspension grid ceiling products for your next project.
We provide customers with a complete acoustic ceiling system offering, combining sound absorbing ceiling tiles and specialty metal panels with suspension grid systems and accessories.
