John is a structural engineer and globally recognised seismic expert with 30+ years of experience in structural and seismic analysis and design of infrastructure and buildings. He led the design for the seismic upgrading of the historic Lord Strathcona Elementary School in Vancouver, completed in 2016, including the 1897 load-bearing brick and stone building notable as the first occupied building in Canada to implement base isolation technology. In fact, three different approaches were used for the three upgraded school buildings and to conserve the heritage significance of the site.
John has worked on numerous new projects as well as renovation and seismic upgrade projects, developing and incorporating innovative and cost-effective schemes involving viscous dampers, fibre reinforced polymers (FRP) and buckling restrained bracing. He is an expert on all aspects of design codes, especially regarding seismic and dynamic considerations. He is currently Chair of the Standing Committee on Earthquake Design, National Building Code of Canada.
