Ethan Bourdeau

Ethan Bourdeau is an acoustician, standards writer, researcher, field recordist, and musician. By day, he is the Sound Concept Lead at the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), the Executive Director of Standards and Built Environment for Quiet Parks International (QPI), and the youngest Director on the board of the Institute of Noise Control Engineering (INCE). Also by day, he operates Bourdeau Acoustical Design, an architectural acoustics and noise control design firm that provides engineering and planning services for listening rooms, public art installations, private residential, restaurant, retail, education, and commercial projects internationally.

Over the past decade, Ethan has lectured in acoustics to graduate programs at Yale, UPenn, the University of Galway, and the American University of Armenia. He has represented the US on a handful of ISO Technical Committee 43 acoustics/noise control standard working groups. He routinely advises standards development groups and is most active in field testing standards for building acoustics with ASTM E33. As a trusted expert in acoustics, he routinely provides advisory-level insights to organizations such as the Institute of Noise Control Engineering, Acoustical Society of America, Delos Living, Well Living Lab, and Enterprise Green Communities. Recognizing that noise is a global public health concern, Ethan is determined to craft accessible pathways for projects seeking to achieve and benefit from long-term high-performance acoustical design and memorable sonic experiences.

As a musician, Ethan has explored sound and timbre through a variety of studio- based sound designs, spatial audio installations, and more traditionally as a low brass soloist. He is the principal euphoniumist for the Brooklyn Wind Symphony where he has performed at venues such as Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center and most recently on the Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall.