Sownd Certification: Advancing Acoustic Inclusivity in the Built Environment

Marion Marincat, co-founder of Sownd Affects and creator of Sownd Certification, will present a session focused on acoustic inclusivity and its implications for the built environment. Following the onset of profound deafness at age 26, Marion undertook a large-scale, experience-led investigation—assessing 100 London spaces as a mystery shopper and engaging directly with users about how sound affects them. This work has developed over eight years, supported by three UK government grants, and draws on a multidisciplinary background spanning architecture, finance, behavioural science and audiology, alongside contributions to global hearing policy through the WHO World Hearing Forum and G20 Inclusive Design initiatives.

At the centre of the session is Sownd Certification, the UK’s first acoustic standard explicitly designed around real human experience, particularly addressing the needs of the one in three people who are noise sensitive. In contrast to conventional standards that define acceptable compliance ranges, Sownd Certification evaluates whether spaces genuinely function for occupants. The framework—structured across Bronze, Silver and Gold levels—provides an independent, evidence-based methodology for assessing and certifying acoustic comfort through the lens of audio inclusivity.

The presentation will examine how acoustic inclusivity can be embedded into design, specification and operational decision-making, with reference to real-world application and emerging industry adoption. Validated by the University of Southampton’s Institute of Sound and Vibration Research and already implemented by organisations such as Hilson Moran, with the first certified building delivered by Oscar Acoustics, Sownd Certification represents a shift towards performance defined by user experience. This session will be of interest to acousticians, building services engineers and designers seeking to move beyond compliance-led approaches towards more inclusive and outcome-focused acoustic design.

Registration:

This free CPD event is open to all. Register here https://www.cpdtag.com/app.php?event=A41C430EE76A245991D74486796288E