Paul Marcon

Senior Conservation Scientist / Engineer, Preventive Conservation Division

Main areas of work and/or specializations

• art in transit research
• protective packaging of cultural property
• training workshops on protective packaging
• active climate control systems for display cases and enclosures
• mechanical engineering
• preventive conservation
• vibration sources, effects and control
• built heritage project planning and oversight services
• stone and bronze monument disassembly, relocation and reassembly
• seismic stabilization of museum objects and components

Biography

Paul Marcon graduated from the University of Ottawa in 1983 with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering. He is a Professional Engineer (Ontario) and has worked in the Preventive Conservation Division of the Canadian Conservation Institute since 1984. His areas of specialization include applied research in the areas of preventive conservation, climate control, vibration effects and control, and protective packaging of cultural property. Paul has worked with Canadian and international museum clients and artists for over 30 years. During this time, he has offered consultation and design services and coordinated projects with a number of organizations, including Public Works and Government Services Canada – Parliamentary Precinct Directorate.

Paul has delivered over 50 workshops on protective packaging of cultural property in Canada and internationally. He has designed specialized mechanical systems for the supply of controlled humidity to museum showcases as well as packaging systems for fragile artwork. Recent technical support services in built heritage include work on the following statues: Queen Victoria, Library of Parliament (disassembly and removal 2002, reinstallation 2005); Sir Robert Borden and John Diefenbaker, Parliament Hill (disassembly 2011, temporary installation 2012); and George-Étienne Cartier and Alexander Mackenzie, Parliament Hill (disassembly 2013). Consultation services on the effects and criteria of building vibration sources have been provided for numerous projects, including the Wellington Building renovation in Ottawa, to help ensure the protection of important heritage building features during construction activity.