Sownd Affects introduces Sownd Certification, a brand-new standard for audio-inclusive structures that makes it possible for designers and designers to specify acoustic performance beyond compliance.
In association with
< img width= "1700"height="1133 "alt= "Structures."src= "https://atlive-wp.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/Sownd-Affects-launches-world-first-independent-certification-for-audio-inclusive-buildings-Julian-Treasure-delivering-his-key-note-speech-on-how-Sound-Affects-health-and-behaviour-at-the-launch-event.jpg"/ > Julian Treasure providing his essential note speech on how sound affects health and behaviour at the launch occasion in London. In London on 28 April 2026 (the eve of International Sound Awareness Day ), Sownd Affects launched Sownd Accreditation, the world’s very first independent requirement for audio-inclusive structures, at an invitation-only reception at the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). The framework is developed to be specified at RIBA Stages 1 and 2 and sits together with BREEAM, WELL and PAS 6463.
5 leader practices have actually dedicated their head workplaces to the certification:
- Oscar Acoustics, Great Britain’s leading provider of architectural acoustic surfaces. Its HQ and product display room– The Oscar Development Centre– ends up being the first Sownd Licensed Bronze structure on the planet.
- Hilson Moran, worldwide interdisciplinary engineering and design consultancy. Projects include The Gherkin, 20 Fenchurch Street and 1 Broadgate.
- dMFK, London-based, award-winning architectural and interiors practice. Projects include Storey at 201 Bishopsgate, 170 Piccadilly, and the practice’s studio at 76 Charlotte Street.
- Asona, Amsterdam based specialist producer and provider of high-performance acoustic systems designed for sound control and sound comfort.
- Absolute Acoustics, based in Dublin, is a leading Irish specialist providing bespoke, end-to-end architectural acoustic options.
Pictured(delegated right), Hugh Corrigan, Outright Acoustics; Jerry Rees, Head of Acoustics Hilson Moran; Marion Marincat, Founder Sownd Affects, Julian de Metz, Director at dMFK; and Ben Hancock,
Handling Director of Oscar Acoustics. How the accreditation works Sownd Certification operates throughout three tiers. Bronze validates acoustic efficiency versus ISVR-validated criteria and establishes an audio-inclusive standard. It is specifier-led and granted at handover. Silver adds constant sound tracking and occupant feedback, owned by the operator. Gold presents designed soundscapes, acoustic zoning, and inclusive innovations such as Auracast.
Validated areas get a physical plaque and a listing in the Sownd Qualified directory site. Bronze certification starts from ₤ 750 each year. Leader status is booked for the first 50 services worldwide.
Why this standard matters to the design industry Brand-new analysis published in Sownd Impacts’ special report, The ₤ 40 Billion Design Defect, discovers that around 30 million UK grownups (roughly 60% of the adult population) are adversely affected by their sound environment. The figure works out beyond the 18 million individuals RNID approximates live with hearing loss or tinnitus. It takes in the neurodivergent population, people with misophonia, and the emerging medical category of ‘hidden hearing loss’. Structures can pass BS 8233, BREEAM and WELL and still stop working these groups. Sownd Certification offers designers, interior designers and acousticians an evidence-based method to define for them.
Sownd Certification bronze plaque. Quotes Marion Marincat, Creator of Sownd Impacts, said: “Noise is an identified public health issue, and yet buildings still aren’t measured for it. Sownd Accreditation helps close that space. It gives locations a basic to work towards, and people a standard to require and try to find before picking where to work, live or hang out.”
Jerry Rees, Head of Acoustics at Hilson Moran, stated: “Our customers are progressively asking whether a work environment really works for everyone from an acoustic viewpoint. That is a really various concern from standard regulatory compliance, and until now we have not had a robust, evidence‑based answer. Sownd Certification provides us trustworthy data we can put in front of a board and stand behind with self-confidence.”
Julian de Metz, Director at dMFK, stated: “Acoustics has actually been the first thing cut from a short and the last thing anyone sees on the illustrations. That has actually been the issue. Accrediting our own studio is how we hold ourselves to the standard we are suggesting to clients.”
Ben Hancock, Handling Director of Oscar Acoustics, said: “Sound affects everybody, whether we realise it or not. Audio inclusivity needs to be designed in from the short and the Sownd Certification framework provides designers and customers a way to define it.”
Mayor of Hackney Caroline Woodley attended and opened the night, noting the positive effect Sownd Certification has made on the community.
Audio inclusivity goes mainstream
Indoor cigarette smoking went from typical to unimaginable in twenty years. Audio inclusivity is going to move faster. Post Sownd Accreditation launch, a conference in Parliament on office acoustic standards is scheduled for later in the year and a multiple-award-winning documentary Now Hear This: The Sound Revolution, following the acoustic transformation of three Hackney music places into audio-inclusive spaces, launches early 2027. International Pioneer practices in Ireland and the Netherlands will be certified in the months that follow.
Contact Information
To find out more about Sownd Accreditation, visit the Sownd Impacts site or email.