With almost four decades of experience in the field of acoustics engineering, Prof. John O’Keefe is the driving force and guiding light for dB Acoustique.

Over the years, he has been responsible for optimizing the acoustics of some of Canada’s finest performing arts centers and a host of prestigious projects across the United States, the United Arab Emirates and the Caribbean.

He was awarded the 2007 Schreyer Award for Engineering Innovation by Canadian Consulting Engineers (CCE) for his work at the esplanade Arts and Heritage Centre. The Schreyer Award is Canada’s highest distinction for any form of engineering. He also won a CCE Award of Merit in 1996 for the acoustic renovation of the Vancouver Orpheum, the 2011 version of the same award for the Acoustical Renovation of Queen Elizabeth Theatre and a Canadian Acoustical Association’s Directors’ Award in 2000 for an academic paper relating to the Orpheum Project.

He has been an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Architecture and Landscape Design and is now with the same university’s Faculty of Mechanical Engineering.

Prog O’Keefe is one of the very few acousticians in the world who actively combines both the professional and academic aspects of the work. He has designed or renovated more than 30 performance Arts venues and published over 35 papers. His work, both academic and professional, is recognized around the world. In 2013 he was co-chair of the International Symposium on Acoustics (ISRA), hosting 150 of the world’s best acousticians in his home town of Toronto, Canada.

Professional Memberships

1. Fellow of the Institute of Acoustics, UK
2. Professional Engineers of Ontario
3.  Acoustical Society of America
4. Canadian Acoustical Association
   The elaborate detail of Prof. John O’Keefe’s achievements, awards and publications can be found at okeefeacoustics.com

Giving ‘sound’ advice …

Sharing knowledge with clients, peers and students.

After completing his Engineering (Hons) in Mechatronics, from the University of Auckland, New Zealand, Arun Iyengar,
Founder of dBAcoustique discovered sound.

“A person does not hear sound only through the ears; he hears sound through every pore of his body. It permeates the entire being … ” Though these words of a Sufi teacher were proclaimed in a more spiritual context, they resonated deeply with Arun. He went on to do several acoustic-related courses, including:
• Acoustics for Engineers (University of Auckland)
• Acoustics and Noise Control (University of
Toronto)
• Introduction to Mechanical Vibration (IIT Roorkee)
• Principles of Vibration Control & Noise
Management and Control (IIT Kanpur)
• Architectural Acoustics (IIT Kharagpur)
Translating his learning into practical experience, Arun worked as an Acoustic Design Engineer in a couple of reputed firms. Here, he successfully managed acoustic projects right from the initial stages to testing and commissioning, including consulting on large office spaces, hotels, residential towers etc…

He has also designed spaces such as auditoriums, convention halls, lecture halls, etc. using Odeon and EASE acoustic simulation software.

Affiliations & Professional Certifications

Arun is an Associate Member of the Institute of Acoustics (UK) and The Institution of Engineers (India), where he is also registered as a Chartered Engineer. Arun is also a Life Member of the Acoustical Society of India. He was also formerly a Certified Technology Specialist with AVIXA – the trade association representing the professional audiovisual and information communications industries worldwide.

Constantly learning, constantly growing…

Arun believes in continuous learning. He is
constantly honing his skills through new courses, attending workshops and conferences and more recently sharing his knowledge through guest lectures at various architecture schools across Bangalore, India.