Built in 1910 by the first mayor of Port Moody, the Perry Roe House Building heritage site is home to our offices.

Welcome home, Farbod!

In which we introduce our newest team member, Farbod Ghanouni...

A graduate of both Lakehead University (BE, Mechanical Engineering) and British Columbia Institute of Technology  (Mechanical Systems Diploma, Mechanical Engineering), Acoustic Engineer Farbod Ghanouni joined the BAP Acoustics Port Moody team in late August.

“I’d been working in the field for a while when I heard great things about BAP Acoustics,” Farbod says. “I also saw firsthand the quality of their work, so I started to think about the possibility of joining the company.”

Farbod Ghanouni, Acoustic Engineer

Likewise, BAP Acoustics principals Mark Gaudet and Eric de Santis saw the demonstrated quality of Farbod’s past work and knew he’d be a good fit with their team, to which he brings extensive experience in:

 

  • MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) design and engineering
  • Acoustic modelling for and vibration control of:
    • Train and traffic noise
    • Machinery exhaust noise (including silencer design)
    • STC (Sound Transmission Class). An integer rating and key part of an architectural assembly, STC reveals how well building partitions (e.g. interior walls) attenuate airborne sound. 
    • OITC (Outdoor-Indoor Transmission Class). An integer rating quantifying the sound insulation capacity of exterior building elements (i.e. building façade) to attenuate traffic and similar noise sources.
  • Building mechanical
  • Elevator and plumbing noise
 
Farbod’s experience as an undergrad inspired his passion for acoustical engineering. “My supervising professor’s acoustics engineering and vibration control work made such a positive impression on me,” he says. 
 
An effective communicator, Farbod has written his share of acoustical evaluation reports for new developments awaiting approval from the City of Vancouver.
 
He designed a resonator (pictured below) as part of a prototype to illustrate noise mitigating utility. And illustrate it did, with a 15 dB reduction effectively attenuating emergency generator exhaust noise. Click on the image to learn more.
 
 
When asked what he enjoys about working with BAP Acoustics, Farbod replies “The highly qualified staff, as well as the culture around success and teamwork.”
 
Farbod spends many of his “off-hours” reading and creating prototypes as he strives to complete his Master’s degree program. But in order to maintain the energy and resilience required to not merely survive, but thrive, a guy’s gotta take some well-earned and much-needed breaks.
 

Home is where the smart is

The Iranian-born engineer, who emigrated with his family when he was 14 years old, grew up in the tri-city area and enjoys the fact that the BAP Acoustics offices are located not only in the heart of his community but in the historically significant Roe House, a protected heritage site that may or may not also house ghosts… Cue well-engineered eerie music.
 
Like so many of us fortunate enough live in one of Canada’s most beautiful and temperate regions, Farbod enjoys and prioritizes spending time outdoors, often listening to audiobooks as he walks. Cardio and relaxation achievements unlocked!
 
He cheerfully answers my usual battery of getting-to-know-you questions, further confirming my bias that acoustic engineers are really cool:
 
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
An engineer! I really wanted to turn my imagination into reality.
 
Favourite books?
Two Innocents Abroad by Mark Twain is a good read. Always refreshing!
 
Favourite foods? 
I enjoy learning about many other cultures’ cuisines and trying out recipes at home.
 

He shoots! He scores!

If you could time travel, what advice would you give yourself 10 years ago?
I would try learning to play hockey.

Saving the best for last: music

Do you sing or play a musical instrument, or wish you could? Which instruments?
I play the piano. I’m also—and always have been—fascinated by the construction of musical instruments.

What’s the best concert you’ve ever attended?
Did good venue acoustics play a role in your enjoyment?
Yes. I remember attending the Camila Cabello concert at the Orpheum Theatre and finding the sound engineering incredible.

For those of you who are, like me, “of an age”, Camila Cabello cites fellow Colombian artist Shakira (now ancient in her 30s) as an influence. Camila’s music—to my ear—sounds like a comparable sort of Latin-influenced pop, so the sound engineering and architectural acoustics at the Orpheum (one of Vancouver’s most beloved venues) would indeed have amplified (see what I did there) the concert experience. My partner and I saw The Bueno Vista Social Club there many years ago and still agree that was one of our best—and we’ve had many—concert experiences.

With every profile piece I write here, it strikes me more and more how much science and art intersect. Acoustic engineers all seem to play musical instruments! Of course, it comes as no surprise that musicians would appreciate the value of good acoustics, and engineering is the quintessential creative pursuit by definition. And no, I’m not going to look it up and prove it… it just resonates.

Interested in joining the BAP Acoustics team? Visit our Careers page.

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Welcome home, Farbod!

In which we introduce our newest team member, Farbod Ghanouni…

A graduate of both Lakewood University (BE, Mechanical Engineering) andBritish Columbia Institute of Technology (Mechanical Systems Diploma, Mechanical Engineering), Acoustic Engineer Farbod Ghanouni joined the BAP Acoustics Port Moody team in late August.
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