Person

Challis, Louis A. (1936 - 2017)

AM FTSE HonFIEAust

Born
1936
Died
3 June 2017
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Occupation
Acoustical engineer

Summary

Louis Challis was regarded as Australia's leading acoustical engineer. His aim was to make unwanted noise and vibration inaudible and good noise crystal clear. He qualified in electrical engineering and architecture at the University of Sydney and worked in underwater acoustics for the Royal Australian Navy, and for OTC, before establishing the consulting firm which he ran for 40 years. In 1970 he designed and developed the audio-tactile push-button signalling system for pedestrian crossings which is now used world-wide. Major infrastructure projects for which he provided acoustic designs include Parliament Houses in Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane and Port Moresby, and the Sydney Harbour Tunnel. Challis was specialist advisor on the forensic assessment of tapes for ASIO and the New South Wales Government. His work was recognised with a number of awards including 12 Engineering Excellence awards from Engineers Australia and Consult Australia.

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Details

Chronology

1966 - 2006
Career position - Director, Louis A. Challis & Associates
1993
Award - Distinguished Corresponding Member, Institute of Noise Control Engineering, U.S.A
1998 - 2000
Award - Honorary Fellow (HonFIEAust), Institution of Engineers Australia
2000
Award - Fellow, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (FTSE)
2005
Award - Member of the Order of Australia (AM) - for service to engineering as a pioneer in environmental and architectural acoustic engineering, particularly the development of noise standards, acoustic planning and design of landmark buildings, and advancements in environmental noise testing
2015
Award - Centenary Medal - for service to Australian society in technological industries

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Published resources

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Resources

See also

  • Engineers Australia ed., Anything is possible: 100 Australian engineering leaders (Barton, A.C.T.: Institution of Engineers Australia, 2019), 136 pp. 'Sound Ideas - Louis Challis' p.88. Details

Helen Cohn

Created: 31 July 2018, Last modified: 5 May 2022

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