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Oscar Acoustics’ HQ in Kent, ©Hufton+Crow
Oscar Acoustics, a leading specialist in architectural acoustic finishes, has partnered with Sownd Affects to launch Sownd Certification, the industry’s first independent accreditation recognising buildings as audio-inclusive.
The certification addresses an accessibility gap in the built environment. While inclusive design has long been embedded in national planning frameworks, including the London Plan, the industry has lacked a robust method of verifying whether acoustic inclusivity has genuinely been achieved post-occupation.
Sownd Certification provides an evidence-based framework that evaluates how spaces perform in real-world conditions, rather than relying on design-stage predictions, bringing human-centric design and end-user comfort to the fore.
With around 30 per cent of the population being noise-sensitive, including those with hearing or visual challenges and neurodivergent individuals, poor acoustic environments can significantly affect health, comfort and engagement.
The impact extends beyond this group. Research from Oscar Acoustics shows that eight in 10 customers will not return to a hospitality venue if it is too noisy, while around a third of office workers report regularly delivering lower-quality work because their workspace is too loud. These findings demonstrate that effective acoustic design benefits everyone.
Developed through direct engagement with noise-sensitive communities, the framework aligns with recognised industry standards including BS 8233, BB93 and PAS 6463. Assessment is conducted using the proprietary Sownd Method, which evaluates spaces based on measured performance data. It assesses spaces across three levels, with the foundational Bronze Tier focusing on core acoustic metrics that determine how sound behaves within a space.
Marion Marincat, Founder of Sownd Affects and a facilitator for the WHO World Hearing Forum, said: “We developed this certification through direct engagement with noise-sensitive communities to ensure that it measures what matters to people. This is about evidence-based performance, which ensures clarity and comfort. When these standards are embedded from RIBA Workstage 0 onwards, participation and well-being improve for everyone.”
For architects, designers and contractors, Sownd Certification offers a tangible way to differentiate projects and demonstrate social value. It provides a trusted benchmark while delivering clear business benefits to clients.
Ben Hancock, Managing Director at Oscar Acoustics, said: “We’ve been so impressed with Sownd Affects’ bold ambition, we just had to get involved. Having dealt with tinnitus for 25 years, I know the isolation that comes when spaces exclude you. This certification aims to make that a thing of the past, creating spaces that are more enjoyable and inclusive for all. I cannot wait for this to become mainstream.”
To demonstrate the certification’s benefits, the Oscar Innovation Centre in Kent’s Medway Valley is set to become the world’s first Sownd Certified building in Spring 2026. Already achieving an A+ EPC rating, defined by assessors as ‘net zero CO2 emissions’ at project completion, Oscar Acoustics’ HQ serves as a blueprint for how sustainability and audio-inclusivity can work in tandem.
Sownd Certification will be available to architects, designers and contractors for projects from Q2 2026.
To find out more and begin the assessment process click here.
