John Cooke
Contract Instructor
John Cooke became a Partner and President of John G. Cooke & Associates Ltd. in 1992. Prior to that, his career has taken him from Ireland to Calgary and later to Toronto. He has extensive experience specializing in heritage building envelope conservation, working closely with FHBRO and HCD in the National Capital Region and related Heritage organizations across the country. Expertise includes conservation of masonry, metals, slate and wood, selective demolition, seismic studies, upgrades and project management. His career has been distinguished by numerous awards and honorary appointments including the presidency of Construction Specifications Canada in 2006/07.
John collaborated with CSA A179 sub-committee to expand Annex A and D to better address the issue of Historic Mortars.
He is a Past President of Construction Specifications Canada and was conferred with a Fellowship in 2008. He shares his knowledge with the faculty of the Azrieli School of Architecture at Carleton University, Ottawa, where he teaches a post graduate course on Historic Masonry Conservation.
In 2008, he was the private sector engineer chosen to carry out a review of the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada, 2nd ed., as published by Parks Canada.
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Education
Bachelor of Civil Engineering – University College Galway, 1977
Practice
West Block Rehabilitation, Ottawa, ON
(2009-2018): Senior Structural/Conservation Engineer for Existing Building
Structural rehabilitation to heritage structure. Four storey structure and attic floor, no basement. Project includes rehabilitation of exterior heritage fabric of building; removal of selected existing load bearing walls; structural upgrading to meet seismic requirement of NBC 2010; reinforcement of existing floors; design of diaphragm floor connection with walls; strengthening of the existing shear walls; reinstatement of original structure altered during previous renovations; new elevators and stairs.
Hotel Vancouver, Vancouver, BC
(2008-2016): Prime Consultant
Historic Vancouver landmark. Feasibility study carried out to examine various options with regard to masonry and copper roof rehabilitation. Project phased as budgeting allowed. Repair details prepared balancing the conservation objectives with budget constraints and project objectives. Identification of strategies and principals to minimize impact on the heritage fabric. Site review was transitioned to a Vancouver team while providing direct assistance and leadership throughout the project.
Fairmont Royal York Hotel, Toronto, ON
(2007-2016): Prime Consultant
This project involves on-going masonry rehabilitation to a heritage building, including copper flashing replacement. Repairs to the anchors to the structural steel backup have been required. The scope of work included a condition survey, preparation of bid documents and construction administration for each phase of work. Contract Administration must be timely and efficient to accommodate the highly sensitive nature of the project in a very public environment.
Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel, Ottawa, ON
(1999-2011): Prime Consultant
This heritage building has been the subject of a multi-phase masonry rehabilitation and copper roofing replacement project. Repair and replacement of the anchors to the structural steel backup have been completed as work proceeds. Re-waterproofing of several flat roofs within the courtyard has also been completed. The scope of work included a condition survey, preparation of bid documents and contract administration for each phase of the project. The constraints of a continuously occupied hotel provided for a challenging construction schedule and demand excellence in project management.
Publications
Masonry Wall Conservation, Sainte-Anne d’Ottawa Church: ICOMOS Canada, June 1993
Preserving Old Landmark Buildings: Conservation of Stonemasonry Structures: Construction Canada, July 2002. Presented with F. Ross Browne Award for editorial excellence.
Conservation of the Building Envelope: Construction Canada, November 2008
Awards
2020 CAHP Award of Excellence-Conservation Engineering for West Block Rehabilitation.
2019 ENR Global Best Projects Award of Merit for West Block Rehabilitation.
2019 Willis Chipman Award (CEO) for Government Conference Centre Rehabilitation.
2017 CAHP Award of Merit for Parliamentary North Perimeter Wall Rehabilitation.
2014 CAHP Award of Excellence for Bank of Montreal Rehabilitation.
2014 City of Ottawa Conservation Award of Merit for Restoration to St. Alban’s Church, Ottawa.
2011 City of Ottawa Conservation Award of Merit for Restoration and Renovation of the Irish Ambassador’s Residence
2006 City of Ottawa Certificate of Merit for Restoration and Renovation of the Glebe Community Centre, Ottawa.
2005 Frontenac Heritage Foundation Award of Excellence for Restoration of Gordon Hall, Queens University, Kingston.
1999 City of Ottawa Award of Excellence for Restoration of William Saunders Building on the Experimental Farm.
1997 City of Ottawa Award of Excellence for Restoration of Cartier Square Drill Hall, Ottawa.