Location: Laurentian Main campus, room C-114

1.5 ConEd Learning Hours
1.5 AIA LU
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Aboriginal language rights are an integral part of reconciliation. This session explores the architectural acoustic implications of preserving language and integrating Indigenous knowledge and teaching methods in community spaces. Amanda Robinson offers an international perspective in her expertise leading acoustic design projects across Australia and Canada. In this session, she takes lessons from the Centennial A Block, Thunder Bay Consolidated Courthouse, and Atlantic Fellows for Social Equity (AFSE)—projects with inclusive Reconciliation as a design tenet. This session addresses acoustics and sustainable design for seventh-generation thinking, speech intelligibility for learning in unique forms and geometries, noise control for smudging ceremonies, and more.

Learning Objectives

1. Identify conditions of Indigenous practices that require acoustic design review.
   
2. Understand design solutions that improve speech intelligibility in unique spaces.
   
3. Preserve acoustic performance while achieving intent of space specific for Indigenous communities.
   
4. Understand issues that go beyond the physical acoustic environment that can impact health and wellbeing.

Amanda Robinson is the vice president of architecture for Aerocoustics Engineering Limited, specializing in building and room acoustics. She is a professionally qualified mechanical engineer who has focused in acoustics since graduating with honours from Adelaide University in 1996. Amanda has had extensive experience working with multidisciplinary practices in Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Amanda was previously co-CEO at Marshall Day Acoustics (Melbourne), with shared responsibility for the Australasian business development and management, bottom line results as well as the daily management of the company, including recruitment, retention, development of employees, and staff engagement. Amanda is associated with the Victorian division of the Australian Acoustical Society and held the position of secretary for four years. Prior to that, she was secretary for the Association of Noise Consultants in the UK. She has undertaken numerous presentations, including the Talking Spaces Symposium held by the University of Melbourne. She is part of the International WELL Sound Advisory Committee to assist in the next iteration of the WELL rating tool, and is an accredited WELL Professional.