Sonda echoes the word sonder - the understanding that every person carries a story as rich and complex as our own
This guides how we approach our projects, with empathy, curiosity and a focus on the people.
We understand that everyone experiences space differently, and everyone’s brain is wired differently - we think, feel and process the world in our own way. That understanding shapes everything.
We believe better environments begin with better understanding, of ourselves, of the people we design for, and of how differently we experience the world around us.
Our focus is on creating sensory-aware inclusive environments that recognise people need different conditions to thrive. Using a neuro-informed approach, we create environments that reduce cognitive and sensory load and support how the brain works.
When spaces support people, mental load drops, clarity increases and people are better able to focus, connect, and do their best work.
Hello I’m Ariane
I founded Sonda Studio from my experience as both a designer and someone who has struggled with how poorly designed spaces can affect me. I’ve seen first-hand how environments can either support people or quietly make life harder than it needs to be.
My approach sits at the intersection of strategy and creativity, shaped by a deep understanding of how space influences how we think, feel, and connect.
I design by listening closely - to the people using the space, the culture around it, and what my clients are trying to achieve. From this, I translate what matters into environments that feel considered, intuitive, and supportive.
I’m highly empathetic and deeply attuned to how environments affect people. That lived experience informs every project I lead, and is the foundation of why Sonda Studio exists.
The Sonda Approach
We design environments around people, supporting how they feel, think and function.
Spaces that reduce mental load, support different ways of thinking, and help people feel clearer, calmer and more at ease.
The built environment is not neutral, the spaces around us constantly influence how we think, feel and function.
Light, sound, layout, colour, materials and sensory input can affect how calm, focused, comfortable or overwhelmed we feel. But we don't all experience these things in the same way. We each experience and respond to our surroundings differently, which is why our approach begins with understanding.
We take time to understand the people we are designing for, how they experience their environment, what supports them and where they experience friction. We combine these human insights with an understanding of the existing environment to build a clearer picture of what people actually need from their space.
Our work is informed by neuroscience and environmental psychology, translating our understanding of how people respond to light, sound, spatial layout and sensory input into thoughtful, human-centred design decisions.
Rather than designing for an assumed average, we use this understanding to create a range of environments, conditions and choices that support different people and different needs.
Let's design for the human experience
A home can feel overwhelming rather than restorative.
A workspace can feel distracting rather than focused.
An exhibition can feel overstimulating rather than engaging.
Rather than assuming what people need, we begin by understanding how a space is actually experienced, identifying where there is a gap between what people need and what their environment provides.
Understand the people
Learn how people think, feel, work and move through a space.
Read the space
Analyse how the space functions, flows and feels
Map the experience
Identify how the space is actually lived, felt and navigated.
Translate into design
Shape thoughtful environments that support people and wellbeing.
Designing for range, not average
People have different sensitivities, preferences and ways of interacting with their environment.
Rather than designing for an “average user”, we design for a range of needs, creating spaces that offer choice, flexibility and different conditions for different people.
Instead of defining how a space should make someone feel, we create a range of environments that allow people to discover and choose what works for them.
The result is not just a well-designed space, but one that supports focus, reduces friction and feels intuitive to move through and be in.