O ' K E E F E A C O U S T I C S
Company Profile
John O’Keefe founded O’Keefe Acoustics in 1985 with the hope that science and technology could be put to the service of the arts. A credo we hold to this day.
The separation of Arts and the world of what eventually became known as Science started with the Age of Enlightenment and the phenomenal success of Issac Newton. Before then the two were often one and the same, as they still are in the upper echelons of the study of mathematics and physics. So why not in the day to day practice of acoustical design?
Demonstrations of this practice may be seen in rooms like Vancouver’s 2,750 seat Queen Elizabeth Theatre. This room, that was far too wide and cavernous for good spatial sound, was resurrected by the application of modern acoustical science and the computer wizardry of his colleague at the time Daniel Ruvalcaba. The acoustical design of this room, and so many others like it, has benefited as much from informed architects who learned the new acoustics through Mr. O’Keefe, either in class or, more often, on the job. John endeavours to unite the world of science and art, in his own little way, by teaching as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Toronto’s Faculties of Architecture and Mechanical Engineering.
In its new incarnation, O’Keefe Acoustics remains committed to the improvement of sound in our built environment through education and practical application.
Memberships
Fellow of the Institute of Acoustics, UK
Professional Engineers of Ontario
Acoustical Society of America
Canadian Acoustical Association
Education
B.A.Sc., Electrical Engineering, University of Toronto, 1981
M.Sc., Sound and Vibration Studies, Southampton University, 1985
john@okeefeacoustics.com