In Memoriam: Mike Noble

30 Apr In Memoriam: Mike Noble

Michael R. Noble, a former partner of BKL Consultants Ltd., passed away at the North Shore Hospice (North Vancouver, British Columbia) on October 31, 2021, after a sharp decline in his health. He will be deeply missed by his wife, Krysha; daughters, Claire and Jane; sons-in-law, Andrew and Serge; and his four grandchildren. He will also be missed by friends and colleagues.

Mike grew up and was educated in the Wirral, United Kingdom, and earned his degree in applied physics at the Liverpool College of Technology in 1968. While attending college, he was a Research Assistant for Unilever Research Ltd. In 1969 Mike decided to move to Canada to attend graduate studies at the University of Victoria where he obtained his Master of Science in Acoustics in 1974. He joined the firm of Barron and Associates in 1974 where he practiced as an Acoustical Consultant working on large and small projects throughout Western Canada. Wanting to broaden his experience, in 1980, he joined Vancouver’s MacMillan Bloedel Ltd., as an Acoustical Consultant. In 1982 he returned to Barron and Associates (later reorganized as BKL Consultants Ltd.) as a Senior Consultant, Mike advanced to become one of the firm’s Principals and remained with the firm for the rest of his career, fully retiring in 2015.

During his career at BKL, Mike established a reputation in architectural acoustics specializing in theatre and sound studio design. Among Mike’s theatre design projects, the following are highlights of his efforts: the Terry Fox Theatre in Port Coquitlam; the Banff Centre Music Building Performance Hall Redesign; University of Calgary Rozsa Centre for Performing Arts; and Surrey’s Bell Centre for the Performing Arts.  Mike also had significant involvement in the studios supporting Hollywood North, including Bridge Studios, Vancouver Film Studio, BCTV TV Studio, and CBC Vancouver Studio.

Mike’s experience in all aspects of acoustics and noise control enabled him to provide cost-effective consultation on large and small projects throughout Western Canada. He also presented lectures and short courses on environmental noise assessment, industrial noise control and architectural acoustics to audiences of his peers, municipal officials, trade groups, and architects. Mike identified significant acoustical deficiencies in the LEED Green Building program and in a presentation to the Acoustical Society of America in 2005 urged the inclusion of acoustical credits in the LEED rating system. With his background in physics and his extensive experience, Mike was always the go-to person for all BKL staff seeking advice on any acoustical project.  He was affectionately known among office staff as “the fount of all wisdom.” Mike’s life was cut short all too soon and he is missed by friends, family, and colleagues.

Contributors to this post include Doug Whicker, Dan Lyzun, Doug Kennedy, Tiberiu Spulber, Paul Marks, Mark Bliss, and BKL.