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Discover the architectural details of B.C. on the AIBC Architectural Walking Tours. Six scenic tours are available in Vancouver and Victoria throughout the summer, from July 2 - August 29, 2009. More...
Deadline: July 30, 2009
This project is well-intentioned and of interest to members. However, having reviewed the above-noted RFP, the AIBC is obliged to issue the following cautions. Among several concerns, as stated under the RFP’s General Conditions (article 16.0), are:
Proposals that comply with the RFP as written would place architects and their firms in jeopardy as to business risk, professional conduct and insurability. Specific attention is drawn to AIBC Bylaw 28 and the related Code of Ethics, as well as Bulletin 64 regarding proposal calls and related issues.
These concerns have been shared with the City of Burnaby,
Michael Ernest MAIBC
Director of Professional Practice
The AIBC maintains a list of available mentors as a resource for new Intern Architects. If you are interested in being a mentor, please click here for the ember roster form. The information you provide will be included on a list made available to potential IAs upon request. As a mentor, you may self-report one non-core learning unit per IA, per year, under the category of professional service. Please check the Intern Blog at http://internupdate.blogspot.com/ for more information.
The 9th Annual Architecture Foundation of British Columbia Golf Tournament takes place September 4, 2009 at the University Golf Club at the University of British Columbia. Players of all abilities are welcome to join in the fun and camaraderie – all in support of the AFBC. This major fundraising event supports the foundation and its dedication to the awareness, understanding and appreciation of the contribution architecture makes in our communities. Funds raised also help the foundation to support new architects and emerging firms through its various programs. Sign up your foursome now – early bird rates apply until August 1. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. For more information, please visit the website: www.aibc.ca.
Thank-you to our sponsors:
The AIBC offers informative and scenic architectural perspectives into the cities of Vancouver and Victoria. The program includes six walking tours for each city. New for this year is the James Bay tour in Victoria, which explores Canada’s oldest residential neighbourhood on the west coast. Tours begin at 1:00 p.m. daily on Thursdays - Saturdays, from July 2 - August 29, 2009. Tours are not given on Sundays or Mondays. For more information, please visit http://www.aibc.ca/pub_resources/aibc_outreach/architectural_walking_tour.html.
The latest edition (current to June 10, 2009) of the province's Architects Act has now been released and is available through the AIBC. This edition includes details on the most recent legislated changes concerning the University of British Columbia School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (SALA), specialist designations, and TILMA, which were not part of previous versions. Click here to access this document from the AIBC website.
The AIBC recently moved to a new database. One of the changes resulting from this upgrade pertains to the log-in for the “Member Access” section of the web site, including the self-reporting of learning units.
Your personal AIBC identification number is no longer being used as your log-in identification and password. Your new log-in i.d. and password can be obtained by going to the “Member Log-in” webpage (http://aibc.memberpro.net/main/body.cfm?menu=login), clicking on “Forgot your Log-in ID”, and specifying the e-mail address to which you would like the new password sent. Please note that this address must match the e-mail address the institute has for you in its database. If you do not have a current e-mail address on file, or if your e-mail address has changed recently and you have not updated your file, the system will deliver an error message. If your e-mail address has changed recently, please send the updated information to membership@aibc.ca prior to attempting to log in.
The new database system and related changes, once fully in place, will make the self-reporting of learning units and other day-to-day processes much more efficient. In the interim, your patience is greatly appreciated.
For those registrants wishing to complete the AIBC’s Building Envelope Education Program (BEEP), now is your chance. Follow the link to our Professional Development web page and check out the scheduled dates as well as the course descriptions. These courses are only offered once a year, so don’t miss out. Send in your completed registration form as early as possible for each course. The next offering is: BEEP Module II Building Science: Theory, Design, and Practice, scheduled September 17-18, 2009
6 Core LUs
Building Science and the Building Envelope (Available Online)
Topics for Module I include:
The Outdoor and Indoor Environment
Conditions Within the Envelope
Materials and Their Moisture Content
Rain Penetration
Pressure Differences Due to Wind
Predicting Building Envelope Performance
For more information, please contact Professional Development Coordinator Catherine Bolter at cbolter@aibc.ca or (604) 683-8588, extension 312.
18 Core LUs
The AIBC 2009 PD/CES Course Schedule and Registration Form are available online at www.aibc.ca/member_resources/professional_dev/index.html
Chinatown: Then and Now
Join Larry Wong for an intimate tour of Vancouver’s Chinatown. You’ll hear intriguing stories of the buildings and people that make up one of Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhoods. It happens on Wednesday, August 5, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Participants will meet in front of the Millennium Gate (south side of Pender Street at Taylor). Reserve early as the tour is limited to 30 people. The cost if $15 a person ($10 for Heritage Vancouver members). For more information and to register, please visit www.heritagevancouver.org or e-mail info@heritagevancouver.org.
2 Non-core LUs
Market Insights Seminar
Join Lighthouse to learn about the latest trends and innovation in B.C. green building products and materials, and how policy will impact the evolution of this sector. Our first rate panel will discuss issues related to commercialization of new technology; raising capital and going to market; consumer protection and the testing of new products; and how to pitch to developers the incorporation of innovation into local projects.
Wednesday, July 29, 8:00 - 10:30 a.m. (doors open at 7:30 a.m. for breakfast and networking)
Simon Fraser University Segal School of Business
500 Granville Street, Vancouver
$62.50 ($52.50 for students and non-profits)
For more information or to register, please visit http://www.sustainablebuildingcentre.com/market_insights_0
2 Non-core LUs
Stoneology Seminar
The Terrazzo, Tile and Marble Association of Canada (TTMAC) is pleased to present Stoneology, a one-day seminar for architects, designers, and specification writers.
Sessions include:
Stone 101: Stone Quarrying, Selection, Selling, and Proper Application
Stone 201: Stone Testing, Specifying, Fabrication, and Install Recommendations
Care and Maintenance of Stone
Green Issues of Natural Stone
Two seminar dates are available: Wednesday, October 7 and Thursday, October 8. They take place at the TTMAC offices, 108- 3650 Bonneville Place, Burnaby, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.. AIBC members are eligible for the same special pricing as TTMAC members. For more information or to register, please see the online registration form or call Len Tompkins at 1-800-201-8599.
6 Core LUs
Sustainable Community Development Certificate
“Sustainable community development” refers to developing the varied dimensions of a community as well as the land and environment upon which it depends. The Simon Fraser University City Program and the Centre for Sustainable Community Development offer a certificate designed to give you the practical information you need today. Delivered by the most experienced consultants and instructors available, this flexible program is comprised of eight two- and three-day intensive courses that can be completed in 10 months. The certificate is based on a six-point Community Capital Tool, developed by S.F.U. Professor Mark Roseland, which recognizes that sustainable communities seek solutions and strategies that advance six areas of community capital: physical, ecological, social, human, cultural, and economic. For more details and to register, please visit http://www.sfu.ca/city/scd-sustain.htm
Courses qualify for Core and Non-core LUs.
Old School: Courses for Building Conservation
This award-winning program brings theory and practice together and emphasizes hands-on learning. To complete the certificate, participants must take the core course Heritage 101: Understanding Heritage Conservation and seven elective courses. For a complete 2009 course listing, click here.
July 2009
AIBC Gallery: #100 – 440 Cambie Street, Vancouver
Submissions from three of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada’s awards programs will be on display at the AIBC Gallery for the month of July. These awards recognize excellence in the architectural profession. This exhibit features award-winning projects from three programs:
2009 RAIC Awards of Excellence: Bestowed every two years recognizing the greatest achievement in the following categories: Allied Arts Medal, Innovation in Architecture, Advocate for Architecture, Architectural Firm and Green Building;
2008 Governor General's Medal's in Architecture: Recognizing outstanding achievement in recently built projects by Canadian architects. This program, administered jointly with the Canada Council for the Arts every two years, contributes to the development of the discipline and practice of architecture, and increases public awareness of architecture as a vital cultural force in Canadian society; and
2008 National Urban Design Awards: Part of a two-tier program held in cooperation with major metropolitan centres in Canada, recipients are previous year's winners from participating municipalities.
Club AIBC, the official corporate benefits program for AIBC registrants, provides valuable insider discounts on a variety of products and services. Based on registrant feedback, the program is expanding its roster of corporate partners during the summer months. AIBC registrants can take advantage of new discounts on hotels, golfing, and numerous travel and leisure opportunities. Please check http://www.aibc.intrd.com for complete details.
The second edition of the Canadian Handbook of Practice (CHOP) is now available online. This new edition contains more than 50 checklists along with updated references and current practice advice. The PDF download can be purchased through the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada’s order centre (https://www.raic.org/chop/registration/registration.cfm) at a cost of $75 to licensed architects, intern architects and architecture students. A CD-ROM and printed version will be available later this summer.
Based on customer feedback, BC Codes is pleased to offer a consolidation of all BC Code 2006 changes for the BC Building Code binder (including Plumbing Services). This new product includes all amendments made to the BC Building Code up to April 2009. The amendments are provided as replacement pages with instructions for insertion into the BC Building Code binder. Also included is a new tab for Part 10. The cost of the package is $16.95 each plus GST, which covers publishing, printing and shipping. Please note: this updated package is available to the BC Building Code Binder (including Plumbing Services) only. Also, the errata and revisions will continue to be available free of charge at http://www.bccodes.ca/errata_revisions.htm. To place an order, visit http://www.crownpub.bc.ca/pubdetail.aspx?nato=7680002898 or call 1-800-663-6105. Please reference product number 7680002898.
The Heritage Canada Foundation (HCF) has released its 2009 list of Top Ten Endangered Places as well as its Worst Losses list, drawing attention to 17 architectural and heritage sites in Canada either threatened with demolition or already lost. The Top Ten Endangered Places list, compiled from nominations and news reports, includes one B.C. offering: Vancouver’s Pantages Theatre. Heritage Canada Foundation is a national, membership-based, non-profit organization with a mandate to promote the preservation of Canada’s historic buildings and places. For detailed information, visit http://www.heritagecanada.org/eng/news/new.html#July7_09.
The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards will increase the fees for the Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®) effective October 1, 2009. The new fee for each division will be $210 (U.S.), an increase of $40. This increase is due in part to recent incidents of examination content disclosure by ARE candidates. The NCARB was forced to replace a substantial amount of examination content that was posted online, as well as add two full-time staff members to monitor and investigate examination disclosures and copyright violations.
The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) is updating its Intern Development Program (IDP) requirements to more closely align with the current practice of architecture. The new program requirements, which will be rolled out as “IDP 2.0,” will help ensure that interns acquire the comprehensive training that is essential for competent practice, and will make reporting experience fundamentally easier. The first phase of the three-phase program introduction happens this July. Detailed information is available through the NCARB web site: http://www.ncarb.org/.
B.C. architects are invited to attend Resilient Cities: Urban Strategies for Transition Times, a Gaining Ground conference being held in association with Smart Growth BC and in collaboration with the Canadian Society for Ecological Economics. It takes place October 20-22, 2009 at the Vancouver Convention Centre. Sustainability imperatives, the call for climate action, the prospect of a quickly shifting energy future, pressure for new approaches in almost every urban system, and the shock of the economic downturn have North American cities scrambling to comprehend and manage the shift toward ecological practices and greater resilience. This conference will explore strategies to make cities more robust, and will enable participants to advance their thinking with regard to:
Construction has begun on the Green Dream Home demonstration project, an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly home being built in Kamloops. The project is one of 15 chosen through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s EQuilibrium™ Sustainable Housing Demonstration Initiative, which encourages builders and developers to build the next generation of sustainable housing in Canada. It is being done through the Canadian Home Builders’ Association Central Interior in partnership with Thompson Rivers University. The design work is being done by architectural and engineering technology students at TRU. The Kamloops home, the first demonstration home of its kind in British Columbia, will integrate optimal solar orientation, energy efficiency and renewable energy systems into its design and construction, in addition to using natural materials with low levels of pollutants. To reduce water use, rainwater will be captured and drought-resistant native plants will be used on the site. The Green Dream Home will be built primarily by TRU students as part of their training program. Once completed, the home will be open for public tours and then raffled off to raise funds for a local charity. CMHC’s EQuilibrium™ Sustainable Housing Demonstration Initiative provides a new approach to housing in Canada, striving to balance housing needs with environmental concerns. For more information, visit CMHC’s website at www.cmhc.ca.
The creative spirit of Arthur Erickson still resides in the unique, tranquil and secret garden behind a cedar fence on the Point Grey property where the world-renowned architect resided for more that half a century. The beautiful yet informal garden conveys Japanese and West Coast design influences with a large reflecting pond, typical of Erickson’s work. The Arthur Erickson House and Garden Foundation, a charitable non-profit society incorporated in 1993 to acquire the Erickson house and garden, is working with the City of Vancouver to acquire heritage designation and restoration, thereby protecting the property as a place of education and inspiration for future generations. To support this effort, the foundation is opening the garden for guided public tours at set times until October 29. Admission is $10, and advanced notice is required. For further information and tour reservations, please call (604) 738-4195 or e-mail aegarden@telus.net.
This year’s World Architecture Festival takes place from November 4 - 6, 2009 in Barcelona. Submissions are now being accepted for its prestigious awards program. In addition to the Completed Buildings category, event organizers have added three new sections from which to choose: Future Projects, Interiors and Fit Out, and Structural Design. For more information and to enter, visit www.worldarchitecturefestival.com.
The Cultural Development Network and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University are pleased to present "ReGenerating Community: Arts, Community and Governance National Conference" this coming September in Melbourne, Australia. This international conference will discuss local governments responses to creating new models of civic engagement. Submissions for conference papers and presentation are now being accepted. Conference themes include:
For additional information including the Call for Presentations form, visit the conference web site at http://www.cdn-generations.net.au/conference.htm
The IDSWest web site (www.idswest.com)
is now live and will be constantly updated with features, speakers, design
news and happenings from a West Coast perspective. Planning is well underway
for the event, which takes place September 17 - 20, 2009 at the Vancouver
Convention & Exhibition Centre. The 2009 show will introduce a variety
of space concepts and feature areas focusing on pushing the boundaries
of local and international design and architecture. Special sections include:
Designers on the Block – dedicated space for up-and-coming designers, providing an opportunity to get their feet wet by displaying in small, pre-built structures.
Stories Behind Design – showcasing the lesser known stories that help shape many of the designs on display.
Exhibition space at this prestigious trade show is also available.
Contact Jason Heard (jheard@mmart.com) to secure your preferred location and take advantage of promotional benefits.
The organizers of Interior Design Show West are accepting entries for an open design competition that will be an exciting new part of IDSwest 2009 this September in Vancouver. PREFAB 20/20, building on existing concepts for pre-built structures, is intended to push the boundaries of architecture on the West Coast. It challenges architects to share their visions for a 400 sq. ft. home. A 20 ft. by 20 ft. space has been set aside at the tradeshow to highlighting select entries. PREFAB 20/20 is sponsored by IDSwest, AZURE magazine, the AIBC, and Architecture For Humanity. For detailed information on the competition as well as other highlights from IDSwest 2009, go to www.idswest.com/prefab.php.
The Globe Foundation and the World Green Building Council has honoured the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) with the Excellence for Green Building Award, a one-time award recognizing leadership in establishing green building criteria for the 2010 Winter Games venues. In addition, the various architectural firms responsible for designing the venues also received awards of recognition for excellence in green building practices. They include:
As a reflection of the shared commitment of VANOC and its venue partners to deliver environmentally friendly structures, every new venue was built to a minimum LEED® silver rating.
World Architecture News is pleased to announce the launch of the inaugural WAN Urban Design Sector Award 2009. This is the latest in WAN’s bi-monthly “Excellence in Design” award program, building on the success of its previous Education, Healthcare and Civic contests. This is an international competition that will be judged by a top-level panel headed up by Alastair Lansley, architect of London's stunning St. Pancras Station. Submissions are invited for projects in the transport, infrastructure, urban design, landscape and public realm areas in two categories: Completed and Unbuilt. The closing date for submissions is August 31, 2009. For additional information and to register, go to http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.urbanenterpage
The association for Applied Science Technologists and Technician of British Columbia is accepting nominations for its 2009 awards. ASTTBC Awards are intended to recognize and honor ASTTBC members, as well as individuals and organizations in the B.C. science and technology community, who have selflessly supported the association through volunteering or have made significant contributions to technology or the profession of technology. Nominations are welcomed from both ASTTBC members as well as non-members, and non-members are eligible for some of the awards. For more information or to nominate a deserving person, click here. The deadline for nominations is August 1, 2009.
British Columbia architecture students are encouraged to participate in “Brick-stainable: Re-Thinking Brick”, an international design competition sponsored by Potomac Valley Brick. Current “green” and “living” building initiatives acknowledge the importance of integrated design solutions to achieve sustainability goals. This competition seeks to explore the potential of brick construction in the creation of an energy efficient building and challenges design teams to maximize the physical characteristics of this construction in the creation of integrated design solutions. The project involves creating a hypothetical guest house utilizing brick that is a model of energy efficiency. By exploring the thermal qualities of clay masonry construction, designers are asked to create a net-zero energy building utilizing this as a primary material. A reputable jury will select winners in two distinct award categories: Whole Building Design and Technical Design, with nearly $30,000 in prize money to be given out. The deadline for entries is October 30, 2009. For registration and details, including site description and drawing, visit the competition web site at www.brick-stainable.com.
By Brent Toderian, Planetizen
July 14, 2009
Over various blog posts through the last few years, I've shared some of the key steps and stages leading to the eventual unanimous Council approval of Vancouver's EcoDensity Initiative. Since then the EcoDensity Charter and new policies have been changing the way we think about density, green building and site design, and our ecological footprint in and outside of city hall. We've also been moving forward on various EcoDensity actions approved in principle by Council back in 2008. For a few examples, here's the report approved by Council removing several key barriers to green design; a report going to public hearing this month that if approved would officially make laneway housing (what we've also called "hidden density") allowable across the city; and another report also going to public hearing that if approved would allow "suites within suites” - secondary suites within apartments and podium rowhouses as flexible rental or family-member housing opportunities (what we've also called "invisible density"). More …
By Jay Walljasper, Making Spaces News
July 13, 2009
This year’ Aspen Ideas Festival lived up to its name with a lively exchange about placemaking vs. the iconic architecture of Frank Gehry and other “starchitects”. But not in the way anyone expected. When PPS president Fred Kent, a speaker at the Festival two years ago, posed a question to Gehry in the Q-and-A following Gehry’s presentation, the world-famous architect refused to answer. More …
Architectural Institute of British Columbia
100 - 440 Cambie Street
Vancouver, BC V6B 2N5
Tel: (604) 683-8588 toll free in BC 1-800-667-0753
Fax: (604) 683-8568 or toll free in BC 1-800-661-2955
info@aibc.ca
for staff contacts click here
