AIBC Publications
Hot Corner

Hot Corner 66.
by Michael Ernest MAIBC
AIBC Executive Director

For questions or comments, he can be reached at mernest@aibc.ca or at (604) 683-8588, #304.

In this issue:

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE
A COMPLEMENTARY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMPLIMENTARY
MAGICAL MOMENTS
STUNNING INNOCENCE
KARMIC RELIEF
DOCUMENT UPDATE UPDATE
RESCUED ROGUES
ACCEPTABLE LETTERS OF ASSURANCE
GET OUT AND SEE FOR YOURSELF
SUSTAINABLE POLITICS
CLEAR ON THE CONCEPT

That's not a partially devilish number for this column, but it is an occasionally wicked ride. Never a dull day; they're all different. All it takes is for the phone to ring with the proverbial 'hypothetical situation', for the phases of the moon to trigger tidal email surges or for the most innocent request to stun with its implications. We are a creative bunch … and therein lies the challenge: how do we optimize the application of our resources in ways which improve both service and results while keeping the juice flowing? And so, there's an initiative that's been set in motion, in keeping with my favourite tip-jar appeal, "Can't handle change? Leave it here." Shrek (and the donkey) would understand.

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

No, it's not my aim to evoke long-dormant anxieties arising from memories of Miss McGillicuddy and her metronome. Rather, as is oft-said by Kaizen's Michael Walsh, energetic business coach from 'The Rock', here's the thing. Effective the turn of the calendar to 2006, my energies and time at the AIBC are dedicated fully to Practice matters (yes, it does) with the objectives of (1) providing more, timely practice advice, counseling and written communication; (2) generating, updating and coordinating official AIBC documentation; and (3) instigating more proactive 'outreach' to members, client groups and authorities having jurisdiction. The latter is targeted in (especially) the areas of consultant selection and letters of assurance. Such a shift was long due and if it doesn't work, well, you can remember that it was my idea.

A COMPLEMENTARY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

There is a significant (and enabling) corollary. After more than six years of directing our growth in Professional Development, including course delivery, annual conferences and the Continuing Education System, that role now resides with the very capable and effervescent practising architect, Maura Gatensby. She brings technical moxie from being a Certified Professional and Building Envelope Professional; teaching experience in the CP Program and the AIBC's courses concerning accessibility, building code and building envelope; extensive experience as a volunteer collaborating with other members and industry participants; a rollicking sense of humour; and a motorcycle. By the time you read this, PD's kickstand will be up and the motor gunning, under new management.

A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMPLIMENTARY

Our collective success benefits from committed members, who donate their valuable time, and devoted staff. It's been my distinct pleasure to have worked with numerous colleagues on the PD Board and its portfolios, our CES Committee, conference programme contributors, course faculty and external providers, alongside hardworking and service-oriented coordinators. All that is with the support of our executive director and Council, several of whom (including the current and past presidents) can trace their volunteer roots to the growth of Professional Development at the AIBC and nationally. Many thanks. I'll miss them but PD is relatively stable and in good hands.

MAGICAL MOMENTS

In Jeffery Deaver's The Vanished Man (a whodunit with enough twists to satisfy even Frank Gehry's keenest acolytes) one finds a delicious triad of connected quotations introducing the novel's three parts. "A conjuring trick is generally regarded by magicians as consisting of an effect and a method. The effect is what the (subject) sees … the method is the secret behind the effect and allows the effect to take place." From Peter Lamont and Richard Wiseman's "Magic in Theory", that thread is later drawn out by these Sol Stein lines: "A magical effect is like a seduction. Both are built through careful details planted in the mind of the subject." Last but far from least is S.H. Sharp's contribution. "To be a great magician, one must be able to present an illusion in such a way that people are not only puzzled, but deeply moved."

The connection? Here's Bing Thom MAIBC, speaking with our Design Panel Committee in the context of discussing the City of Vancouver's 'tall buildings' review; the role of design panels; and our influence on the built environment and spirit. Other urban areas look to our practitioners and processes as models which they might emulate. "The architect is a magician. What we do is magical. We need to bring our passion and vision and values to our body of work. We must not be bashful about it." This profession is all about inspiration and the ability to carry it off.

STUNNING INNOCENCE

The caller (MAIBC, principal of an architectural firm) asked how he might go about replacing his professional seal which he had not seen in some time. "I can't remember," he stated, "which of my staff had their mitts on it last." Take a deep breath; take a mental walk around the block; give the member the straight answer (apply and pay for a new one from the AIBC's Registration and Licensing staff) and trust that will happen. Then, once you've recovered from the implications of the confessed unprofessional practice, find an effective way to explain to your colleague that the seal is required to be applied by (dated, under the signature of) the seal's named MAIBC-principal and by no other person. That is not only the practice standard but also a strict requirement under the Architects Act (section 77), AIBC Bylaws and Code of Ethics. Also, each architect who has a seal (which is actually AIBC property) is personally and professionally responsible for the proper care and use of that seal. There is no 'wiggle room' in these regards.

KARMIC RELIEF

By the time you read this, a long weekend will have been spent by your faithful scribe adjudicating competitions on slippery surfaces in Greater Victoria. The Bear Mountain Arena is one such venue. Not quite two years since its opening, the rink (from personal experience) is clean and basic from the outside but well-appointed for its users (players, officials, staff and fans alike) and provides an intimate environment to enjoy our national pastime … notwithstanding its tight budget. To quote the facility's architect, Vic Davies MAIBC, "The fur is on the inside of the bear."

DOCUMENT UPDATE UPDATE

AIBC Practice Note 3: School Facilities (Ministry of Education) has been updated, through efforts of our Educational Facilities Committee, which includes not only architects but also (and critically) representatives of several School Districts, the Ministry of Education, BCIT and the engineering profession, per the CEBC. Thanks particularly to MAIBCs Gregg Brown (chair) of KMBR and Kerry Magnus (Surrey School District) as well as Nick Watkins (MEd). This Practice Note includes the standard "Indemnification" clause for use on not only schools but also other (e.g. health care and BCHMC) publicly funded projects.

AIBC Practice Note 12: Qualified Letters of Assurance is newly prepared and published, supported by the efforts of our Regulatory Coordination Committee, which includes not only architects but also (and importantly) representatives of several authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs), the Building Officials Association of BC and the engineering profession (per the APEGBC). Thanks particularly to MAIBCs Dave McGuigan (chair) of Stantec and Duane Siegrist of Integra as well as George Humphrey (Burnaby/BOABC). Buttressed by clear AIBC Council policy, this Practice Note focuses on how and why to resolve (a) pressures from either one's client or from within one's architectural firm to "qualify" the standard, AIBC-endorsed letters of assurance; and/or (b) pressures from AHJs which might introduce building bylaws and/or "rogue" letters of assurance. The latter are typically fraught with redundancy, inappropriate terminology and the twin spectres of uninsurability and being professionally unsupportable, thereby exposing architects to unnecessary financial risk and disciplinary action while providing illusory protection of the AHJs and the public.

RESCUED ROGUES

Speaking of which … sincere thanks to members who report being faced with requirements to sign and seal 'rogue' letters of assurance and, especially, to those AHJs who communicate with us and elect to withdraw those requirements. Recent such instances include (1) the withdrawal of Burnaby's website reference to its (former) redundant schedule FTA; (2) Surrey's withdrawal of its (former) redundant and inappropriately worded letter of compliance between building permit (BP) and development permit (DP) drawings; and (3) Vancouver's agreement to withdraw its redundant and inappropriately worded letter of compliance between BP and DP drawings on CP projects.

The three-day November 2005 Educational Seminars of the BOABC (an excellent annual opportunity for MAIBCs to obtain solid professional development from an accredited external provider of AIBC/CES Learning Units) featured an AIBC-delivered session entitled, "Rogue Rage". It was well-received and generated much constructive dialogue both during and after the session. AIBC Practice Note 12 and Council's related policy were among the materials distributed. The essence of Practice Note 12 was published in the BOABC's most recent magazine. The keys to success are mutual awareness, understanding and cooperation.

The BOABC event also featured a successful AIBC-delivered session entitled, "Who Sealed This Envelope?" which articulates which project participants have what roles and responsibilities, consistent with AIBC Bulletin 34; architectural core competence; standards of service under AIBC Bulletin 90; AIBC/APEGBC concurrence regarding the scope of a BEP's enhanced building envelope services; and recommended fees for those services under Bulletin 56. Watch for this session at the June 2006 AIBC/RAIC Festival.

ACCEPTABLE LETTERS OF ASSURANCE

Let's make this easy. The only acceptable letters of assurance, as endorsed by the AIBC, are (1) those in the BC Building Code (BCBC); (2) the BCBC counterparts under the auspices of the (a) Vancouver Building Bylaw; (b) Vancouver Airport Authority (YVR); and (c) Federal Government for use in conjunction with the National Building Code; and (3) model schedules "D" for enhanced building envelope services in AIBC Bulletin 34, along with their counterparts used in Vancouver and Burnaby. Members are advised not to sign any others and to bring them to our attention.

GET OUT AND SEE FOR YOURSELF

There's nothing like a week-long road trip with one's nine-year-old son to sharpen the senses. The "Del's Propane" signs provide cultural continuity. Bonding; manly pursuits (you know … thumb-in-belt-loop hooking; great expectorations; jeans hitching; restaurant reconnaissance); and introduction to unfamiliar ways of life, terrain, and our heritage. The social history lesson relating to Barkerville's Chinese community, candid and clearly not scripted by the round-eyed devils in power in earlier times, was alone worth the visit. "What's all that, Dad?" wondered junior, just as I was asking myself the same question and coming to the sad conclusion. "What's with all those red trees?" It ain't only the odd one. It ain't the occasional grey sentinel. It ain't even a small stand every few klicks. Want to see where 'designer denim pine' comes from? Care to witness first-hand devastation of our forest resources? It's not a theoretical problem; it's not small; and it's not a TV news clip.

SUSTAINABLE POLITICS

Say what? Yes, there's a connection. Here are two immediate and telling examples with direct and profound impact regarding urban design; transportation; planning; community, economic and social values, benefits, costs and, yes, individual buildings. They're both in Vancouver; were significantly cast in specific lights before the November 2005 election; are highly susceptible to being re-cast after the balance of political power shifted; and have (in their own different ways) potential to influence the sustainable condition beyond their strict boundaries. Keep a weather eye out for what happens to WalMart on Marine Drive and Southeast False Creek.

CLEAR ON THE CONCEPT

Every once in a while, if one is fortunate, one gets to work alongside people who are not only skilled in keeping with their technical/functional responsibilities but also ethically well-grounded, reliable, service-oriented and in for the long haul. They "get it" and constitute a valuable asset to an organization, its members, clients and community. Not surprisingly, those folk rarely attract (and frequently repel) personal attention. So you may well be surprised to learn of a small, unscheduled presentation at the AIBC's seasonal Open House last December. So was its recipient, Aleta Cho, Professional Development Coordinator … AIBC staff member for over 20 years.

We'll close with this tip on positioning oneself for success, courtesy Walter Gretzky. "Skate to where the puck is going, not to where it's been."

Akua Tuta.

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