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Kwantlen Polytechnic University – Interior Design Grad Showcase is currently exhibiting at the AIBC Gallery. The show runs from April 22, 2009 – May 11, 2009. More...
If you have trouble viewing this page, please click here.
Kwantlen Polytechnic University – Interior Design Grad Showcase is currently exhibiting at the AIBC Gallery. The show runs from April 22, 2009 – May 11, 2009. More...
John Lovatt Davies (Previously Registered) passed away on Thursday, March 19 at the age of 94. He is survived by his children Kim, Tony and Megan, and was predeceased by his wife Joan. John’s architectural career began in England and took him to Africa. After serving as a Royal Air Force pilot during World War II, he came to Canada to resume his profession. John joined the AIBC, eventually serving as Vice-President and President, and later spent time in an executive capacity with the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada. A founding member of the University Club of Vancouver, he retired in 1984. In keeping with the wishes of family, a memorial service is not planned.
Erik Berglund MAIBC passed away on Saturday April 11, 2009. He is survived by his mother Ann-Charlotte, sister Jessica and brother-in-law Volker, and nephew Hugo. Erik received his Master’s degree from the University of British Columbia in 1999, and became an AIBC member in 2005. A reception to remember Erik will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. at Goward House, 2495 Arbutus Road, Victoria. A fund in his name has been set up with the Grasslands Conservation Council of B.C.
The AIBC’s Architects in Schools (AIS) Program is looking for enthusiastic and energetic volunteers to:
The goal of the AIS program is to promote awareness, appreciation and interest in architecture via educational institutions throughout BC. AIS advocates for the inclusion of studies in architecture and the build environment as an essential part of the provincial curriculum, facilitates discussion of strategies that support better built environments and sustainable communities, and seeks to develop and maintain educational materials and projects to promote the teaching of architecture in the school system. Current projects include Canstruction Vancouver at the Vancouver Convention Centre, and the Austin Heights Design Charette with Centennial High School students in Coquitlam. If you are interested in serving on this committee, volunteering to work in classrooms and career fairs, or would like more information, please contact Carla Brown-John, Director - Administration and Human Resources, at (604) 683-8588, Ext. 317.
Stand-outs Selected from Ideas Competition
The winners of the first ever FormShift Vancouver have been selected. In the Vancouver Primary category, honours go to a submission from Calgary-based Sturgess Architecture. The Vancouver Secondary choice is Romses Architects (Scott Romses) – Vancouver. In the third and final category – Vancouver Wildcard – the nod goes to Go Design Collaborative (Jennifer Uegama and Pauline Thimm) of Vancouver. As first place finishers, the three contestants receive $6,000, $4,000 and $2,000 respectively. Click here for more details.
The City of Parksville invites applications from interested individuals to serve as a volunteer member on its Advisory Design Panel. Panel members are expected to have design experience and qualifications. Some members must be architects. However, landscape architects or individuals with a design-related degree may also be considered. While preference may be given to local residents, all interested individuals are encouraged to apply. Refer to Bulletin 65 (Advisory Design Panels: Standards for Procedures & Conduct) available from the AIBC website. Applications will be received up to April 30, 2009. Application forms are available at: http://www.aibc.ca/member_resources/practice/pdf/Design_Panel_Application_Jan09.pdf. For more information, please contact Coordinator of Professional Practice Erica Holt by phone (604-683-8588, ext. 314) or e-mail (eholt@aibc.ca).
Online and fax registrations are now being accepted for the 2009 AIBC Annual Conference. Click here to visit the conference web site. Detailed session information, including a downloadable version of the conference program, is also available (click here).
The 2009 conference theme, Legacy Building, acknowledges the permanence and importance of architecture in developing our communities with a special nod to the province’s role as host of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Conference sessions address a wide range of timely topics including sustainability, science & technology, health, social responsibility, education, business, sport, cultural heritage and design.
For questions, please contact communications@aibc.ca.
T2
Legacy: Size Does Not Matter
1.5 Core LUs
This presentation focuses on First Nations’ building culture; the inclusion of community participation throughout the building process from the design stage to completion. Construction by band labour within the constraints of construction management contracts will be discussed. The session will also look at the opportunities for small firms to compete successfully for large-scale international legacy projects. Examples illustrating the process, pitfalls and rewards will be presented.
Presenter: Lubor Trubka MAIBC
T13: Office Invasion: When the PSCS Comes Calling
1.5 Core LUs
This session is pleased to feature a panel that includes representation from three firms of varying sizes and markets. Each has completed the AIBC’s Practice Standards Consultation Service. MAIBCs Hugh Cochlin (Proscenium), Brian Uhryniuk (Griffith Uhryniuk) and Jeremy Woolf (Abbarch Architecture) will freely discuss their experiences and the benefits to their firms. Also contributing will be Cal Meiklejohn MAIBC and Matti Saar MAIBC, two of the architects who conduct consultations.
The PSCS is not an audit. Rather, it is a confidential support service designed to help BC architects build, operate and evaluate successful architectural practices that meet or exceed the standards we set as a self-regulating profession. It is voluntary and available at no charge. Session attendees will gain a better appreciation of what the PSCS offers, and how to participate to their advantage.
Now is the time to consider your sponsorship selection for the 2009 AIBC Annual Conference. Sponsorship provides a prime opportunity for organizations to strengthen brand recognition while accessing hundreds of potential clients, partners and colleagues. The AIBC offers four sponsorship tiers to choose from, each with a select range of benefits. Sponsors may choose to sponsor conference streams or individual sessions; meals; social events; professional recognition celebrations; and much more. With opportunities flexibly priced from $10,000 - $1,500, there’s something to fit every budget. Please contact AIBC Communications Specialist Lisa Toyne at ltoyne@aibc.ca for more information or to book your sponsorship.
A: The legislation is meant to regulate the profession, not related trades or construction associations. The AIBC is a regulatory body, not a trade association, union or bargaining agent. The allusion at the November 24, 2008 special meeting to the concept of a “master builder” was in reference to 16th Century views of architecture. Today, there are many demands that require the profession of architecture to take a broader view of the built environment, and to assume a leadership position for the various groups involved in the creation of that built environment. There are few projects today that can be designed and constructed alone, by one individual, as was once the case with the “master builder”.
In any event, the legislation and AIBC bylaws protect the public interest by regulating the provision of independent professional architectural services in the design and field review of construction - not the delivery of commercial products. The construction industry is, and chooses to remain, unregulated.
Click here to read more from the proposed new legislation web page.
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 V: Extreme Environments—Advanced Envelope Design, Friday, June 5, 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 at (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
Transformational Lecture Series - Equilibrium Net Zero Project
AIBC registrants are invited to an upcoming presentation on “Equilibrium: Net Zero Project”. Equilibrium is a demonstration initiative that aims to build “net zero” homes across Canada, meaning each home is designed to produce as much energy as it consumes through heat, light, and power. Speakers Ryan Scott (CEO - Avalon Master Builder, Calgary) and Patsy Bourassa (CEO - Canadian Home Builders’ Association of the Central Interior) will discuss the equilibrium projects they’re involved with, and how they hope to achieve net zero energy. It takes place April 29 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Rotary Center for the Arts in Kelowna. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. This event, sponsored by the Cascadia Region Green Building Council and Canada Mortgage and Housing, is part of the Transformational Lecture Series, which aims to inspire all building industry professionals to embrace their role in creating a sustainable built environment now, as well as ensuring that sustainability becomes integral to all development in the future. The fee is $10 for non-members; AIBC members can attend at no cost by registering under the Cascadia Partner rate. Pre-registration is required. For more information and to register, visit http://www.cascadiagbc.org/education/transformational-lecture-series.
2 Core LUs
Breakfast Meeting
AIBC registrants are invited to an upcoming presentation on “Equilibrium: Net Zero Project”. Equilibrium is a demonstration initiative that aims to build “net zero” homes across Canada, meaning each home is designed to produce as much energy as it consumes through heat, light, and power. Speakers Ryan Scott (CEO - Avalon Master Builder, Calgary) and Patsy Bourassa (CEO - Canadian Home Builders’ Association of the Central Interior) will discuss the equilibrium projects they’re involved with, and how they hope to achieve net zero energy. It takes place April 29 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Rotary Center for the Arts in Kelowna. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. This event, sponsored by the Cascadia Region Green Building Council and Canada Mortgage and Housing, is part of the Transformational Lecture Series, which aims to inspire all building industry professionals to embrace their role in creating a sustainable built environment now, as well as ensuring that sustainability becomes integral to all development in the future. The fee is $10 for non-members; AIBC members can attend at no cost by registering under the Cascadia Partner rate. Pre-registration is required. For more information and to register, visit http://www.cascadiagbc.org/education/transformational-lecture-series.
2 Core LUs
Old School – Courses for Building Conservation
Heritage 101 – Understanding Heritage Conservation
As the core offering for the Vancouver Heritage Foundation’s Certificate in Heritage Conservation, this unique one-day course is designed as a link between the theory and practice of heritage conservation. Using the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada, it will move from “principles to practice” in three key areas: a values-based approach to heritage conservation; a discussion of the regulatory environment within local government; and the importance of planning prior to undertaking a heritage conservation project. Instructors: Marco D’Agostini, Senior Heritage Planner - City of Vancouver; Donald Luxton, Principal - Donald Luxton & Associates; and Judy Oberlander, Principal - Judy Oberlander and Associates Inc. It happens Saturday, May 2 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information or to register, please visit https://register.beanstream.com/scripts/registration.asp?form=161.
6.5 Core LUs
For additional information on the complete Old School Program, please visit http://www.vancouverheritagefoundation.org/oldschool.html.
Construction Law Strategies for 2009: Risk Redefined
Join your colleagues for assessing risk in all aspects of the construction industry, including the ever-expanding green building market. This seminar will address fundamental industry issues and offer the latest updates on court cases. Learn how these findings will affect the way you do business, now and in the future. A panel of nationally-recognized experts will share their knowledge and provide tools to master the legal complexities of any project in order to avoid pitfalls, meet objectives, and improve profitability. It takes place Wednesday, April 29, 2009, 8:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, 655 Burrard Street, Vancouver. For details and to register, please download the brochure at http://www.lawtalk.ca/pdf/Construction%20Law%202009%20Vancouver.pdf or visit http://www.lawtalk.ca/events.html.
Cost: $475+GST
5 Core LUs
Building Envelope Solutions Conference
This conference will provide insights into the how's and why's of design problems and successes, along with examining new technologies and proven strategies to help improve the service life of a building. It happens Thursday, April 30, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency, Vancouver. For details or to register, please visit http://www.buildingenvelopeforum.com/conferenceVAN09.html
6 Core LUs
Pacific Northwest Region Conference
In anticipation of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the theme of the upcoming Pacific Northwest Region Conference is "Reaching for Gold.” It represents the efforts to achieve excellence in the planning and design of top quality educational facilities, and is reflected in the excellent keynote speakers, presentations, working sessions, and site tours that are offered. The conference takes place April 29 – May 2, 2009, at Marriott Pinnacle Hotel in Vancouver. For more information or to register, please visit http://www.cefpi.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3593.
5 Core LUs / 4 Non-core LUs
The Life and Death of Cities: Accounting for Environmental and Social Sustainability
For all their vibrancy and liveliness, modern cities face a growing challenge of providing secure and sustainable places to live. Even the world’s most “livable cities” — such asVancouver, Melbourne and Helsinki — are, in historical terms, utterly unsustainable. Paul James, Director of both the Global Cities Institute (RMIT) and the United Nations Global Compact - Cities Programme, will speak to the notion that unless we rethink the ways that we present sustainability to ourselves and learn to act differently, crisis will become a way of life. This lecture takes place on Thursday, April 30, 2009, 7:00 p.m. at SFU Harbour Centre, 515 West Hastings Street, Vancouver. Admission is free; however, reservations are required. Please e-mail cstudies@sfu.ca or call (778) 782-5100.
2 Core LUs
Construction Law – Getting Paid in Tough Times
Expert faculty will walk you through the lifecycle of a construction project and provide practical and immediate solutions to claw back money that is rightfully owed to you as well as ensure payment on future projects. Issues to be addressed include:
Methods of managing construction contract risks in current economic times;
Contract terms of which you need to be aware;
How to best protect your position after the contract is signed;
Proactive strategies you can implement to ensure payment;
Steps to take when you don’t get paid;
Issues involved in terminating a contract;
A practical look at litigation and other options;
The nuts and bolts of builders’ liens; and
Essential issues in insolvency - preventative measures and practical tactics.
It takes place June 10, 2009, at UBC Robson Square in Vancouver. For more information or to register, please visit www.pbli.com/787
5.5 Core LUs
Local Government 2009: How to Avoid Liability, Minimize Risk, and Prepare for Market Change
In an unstable market, liability exposure and damage awards are on the rise. As litigation costs continue to escalate, it is imperative that municipalities are aware of potential liability issues and how to best address them. Failure to stay on top of the latest challenges facing local governments can lead to serious consequences. Additionally, as the legal and financial landscape under which municipalities operate continues to change, having the necessary knowledge and tools is essential. Participants in this two-day session will learn how to avoid lawsuits, minimize risk, prevent costly litigation and economic loss, and prepare for market change. It happens April 29 – 30, 2009, at the Renaissance Vancouver Hotel Harbourside. Note: AIBC members receive a 10% discount on the registration fee (please quote A10/773 when you register). For more information and to register, please visit http://www.pbli.com/773/.
12 Non-core LUs
Wednesday April 22 – Monday May 11, 2009
AIBC Gallery: #100 – 440 Cambie Street, Vancouver
Graduating students from Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s CIDA-accredited Bachelor of Interior Design program will be showcasing selected work from 11 comprehensive senior projects which have been developed from the programming phase through to design development. These adaptive reuse proposals encompass a wide variety of project types and include hospitality, residential, institutional, and health care. Each graduate has selected their project to address a specific societal need or opportunity and focuses upon sustainability. For more information on Kwantlen's Bachelor of Applied Design in Interior Design program, please visit http://www.kwantlen.ca/design/interior_design.html
For more than four decades, the Arts Club Theatre Company has been front and centre in bringing professional live theatre to Vancouver audiences. The ACT operates two theatres on a year-round basis: the historic 650-seat Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage and the vibrant Granville Island Stage. Its popular productions range from musicals and contemporary comedies to new works and classics. The company also tours provincially on a regular basis, with a three-show mini-season presented at venues around British Columbia.
AIBC Registrants are eligible for the Arts Club Theatre’s corporate discount program. Simply mention your AIBC affiliation when ordering regular-priced tickets through the ACT box office (604-687-1644) and you will receive a corporate discount of 20%.
Click here to visit the Arts Club Theatre web site.
Effective Monday, April 6, 2009, the BC Building Code now allows mid-rise wood frame residential construction up to six storeys. These code provisions were developed with input from experts and stakeholders in the residential building industry. Recent analyses by structural engineers have led to an additional amendment to the seismic design requirements. Additional information, including the new BC Building Code provisions, is available online at http://www.housing.gov.bc.ca/building/wood_frame/.
The Creative City Network of Canada has released a special report on cultural infrastructure to assist Canadian municipalities plan for renovations and new building projects. The document, Cultural Infrastructure: An Integral Component of Canadian Communities, is based on international and national research. The Creative City Network of Canada, which provides professional development and research for cultural development administrators, will be is being distributing the report to municipalities across the country. For additional information, go to www.creativecity.ca.
The Metro Vancouver Chapter of the Royal Architectural Institute of British Columbia will hold its next meeting on Friday, May 1, 12:00 noon at the AIBC Office, 440 Cambie Street in Vancouver. All RAIC Metro Vancouver Chapter members are encouraged to attend, as are those interested in learning more about RAIC membership. Discussion will focus on student membership, interns, advocacy, and the Every Building Has an Architect campaign. This event is free of charge and lunch will be provided. Please r.s.v.p. to Wayne at astudio@direct.ca.
The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada – BC Chapter invites you to attend “aRchitecture: futuRe possibilities: our enviRonment, ouR Responsibility". This presentation will be moderated by Dr. Ray Cole MRAIC, and will feature speakers Teresa Coady FRAIC, Veronica Gillies MRAIC and Eva Matsuzaki FRAIC. Tickets are $25 for MRAICs, $35 for non-MRAICs, and $10 for students. Admission for MRAIC student associates is free. It takes place May 26, 2009 at the University of British Columbia Robson Square, 800 Robson Street in Vancouver. Seating is limited so register early. Please r.s.v.p. to bc@raic.org, and visit http://members.raic.org/courses.php for payment.
The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada has developed a new document to support the profession. A Guide to Determining Appropriate Fees for the Services of an Architect is designed for both clients and architects, and meant to assist in establishing fees across Canada. RAIC members are requested to review the document, test the proposed percentage-based fees using actual projects, and submit any suggestions to practiceadvisor@raic.org before May 1, 2009. The document will be revised accordingly, then published to coincide with this June’s Festival of Architecture and Forum in Montréal. To access the document, click here.
The Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC) invites AIBC members — as stakeholders in the national construction codes — to take part in a special public review to deal with a single subject: the relocation of building design requirements from the 2005 National Fire Code of Canada (NFC) to the 2005 National Building Code of Canada (NBC), along with the addition of appropriate cross-referencing between the two documents. No new technical changes are being proposed; the proposed changes are aimed at drawing a clear line between the roles of the NFC and the NBC. The national building, fire and plumbing codes developed by the CCBFC are model codes that provinces and territories can adopt as is or with modifications as part of their building, fire and plumbing regulations. The public review is one of the main steps in the process for developing these national code documents, providing a nation-wide forum where anyone can comment on the changes proposed. This public review will run from April 6 until May 29, 2009 on the National Codes web site (www.nationalcodes.ca).
Over the past few months, the Vancouver Public Space Network has run a design ideas competition encouraging participants to create drawings and plans for a grand gathering space in Vancouver. The aim is to provide a forum for ideas, including what social, cultural, economic and/or artistic role this square might play in the life of our city. Over 50 design teams submitted proposals. On April 28, 2009, a presentation of shortlisted competition projects will be held, and attendees will be invited to vote for their favourite project. It takes place from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. at the Roundhouse Community Centre. As an added bonus, the evening will also feature a short program of events that focus on the artistic aspects of public gathering places, with special guest speakers and live entertainment. For more information, please visit www.WheresTheSquare.ca or e-mail info@vancouverpublicspace.ca.
As part of the ongoing enhancement of programs to prepare graduates for successful careers as technologists, the Architectural and Building Engineering Technology Program (ABET) at the British Columbia Institute of Technology is conducting a curriculum review. As part of the process, it has prepared an on-line survey to collect program information from the employers who hire BCIT grads so that industry needs can be addressed in future ABET programming. Similar information will be collected from recent graduates using another on-line survey. AIBC members are respectfully requested to take a few moments to complete the survey in order to assist in meeting the objective. Here is a link that will take you to the survey: http://survey.bcit.ca/wsb.dll/s/8g95. To access the link, you may need to copy and paste the entire link into a new web browser window. Please submit your survey responses no later than May 15, 2009. Your participation in this process is very important and truly appreciated.
AIBC registrants are invited to participate in a unique workshop presented by B.C. Recreation and Parks Association and Green Communities Canada as part of the Canadian Walking Master Class 2009. A team of world walking leaders and local experts will host this one-day session in Metro Vancouver. Participants will learn about current practice internationally, nationally and locally, and participate in an examination of walking environments in Metro Vancouver. This workshop will be of benefit to professionals from a diversity of disciplines including architecture, planning, engineering, health, recreation, policing, education, tourism, business and community development. To find out more and to register, go to http://www.physicalactivitystrategy.ca/index.php/beat/events/
Are you interested in giving yourself and your company a highly visible presence at the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver? The Pacific Northwest Economic Region invites you to be part of the Pacific Northwest Regional Pavilion. The pavilion will be a virtual village of displays and interactive experiences, the premier vehicle for Pacific Northwest businesses and governments in reaching over 3 billion Olympic viewers worldwide, along with foot traffic of around 1.5 million people. While driving tourism and business investment, its overall theme is the support of sustainable development. It presents an unprecedented opportunity to showcase local innovation, sustainability practices, companies and people. Investment opportunities range from $50,000 to $150,000. For more information, visit www.2010pavilion.com.
The next event in the Summit magazine series of workshops on challenges in public procurement is being held in B.C. “Managing Construction and Other Major Projects is designed to help you deal with investment opportunities for rebuilding municipalities. Discussion leaders Steve Bauld (former city manager of the City of Hamilton and now VP of the Ontario General Contractors Association) and Kevin McGuinness, (a lawyer with Ontario's Attorney General) have strong backgrounds in public procurement and will share their expertise with practitioners at all levels of government. In addition, Manley McLachlan (President of the BC Construction Association) will also be a guest speaker. Topics for the day include:
This unique opportunity is presented in partnership between Summit magazine and the BC Institute of the Purchasing Management Association of Canada (PMAC). The workshop will be held on Monday, May 4, 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the Ramada Guildford in Surrey. The cost for PMAC and BCCA Members is $475 + GST; Non-members' fee is $575 + GST. This includes lunch, conference materials, and two take-away books. Seating is limited seating, so please sign up early. Contact mcegalbreath@summitconnects.com or exec@bci-pmac.bc.ca for more information.
Coquitlam Leadership Speaker Series
Mike Harcourt will speak on “Working Towards a Sustainable Future” on June 2, 7:00 p.m. at Evergreen Cultural Centre, Coquitlam. For more information, go to
http://www.coquitlam.ca/Residents/Recreation+and+Community/Coquitlam+Leadership+Speaker+Series.htm.
Vancouver Heritage Foundation “Old School”
Courses for Building Conservation
Whether you already work with existing buildings or would like to increase your knowledge about heritage conservation, this program offers certification, learning credits and invaluable content specific to older buildings. It is especially relevant to: architects, designers, engineers, contractors, renovators, trades people, realtors, planners, appraisers, building managers, inspectors, do-it-yourselfers and Homeowners. The next course - Heritage 101: Understanding Heritage Conservation - takes place on Saturday, May 2, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. The cost is $100. Visit http://www.vancouverheritagefoundation.org/oldschool.html for details
The Canadian Federation of University Women - West Vancouver is hosting a special presentation on The B.C. Binning House and Gardens – A National Historic Site. Designed and built in 191 by artist B.C. Binning, this home is considered to be a leading example of West Coast modernism. This event happens on Sunday, May 3 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Speakers include Darrin Morrison, Curator - West Vancouver Museum, Abraham Rogatnick and architectural writer Adele Weder. Tickets are $75 with proceeds going to the land Conservancy of B.C. - Binning House Endowment Fund and the CFUW - WV Educational Trust Architecture or Design Student Award program. It includes refreshments and entertainment. For more information call (604) 925-8445 or e-mail cfuw.westvan@gmail.com
AIBC registrants are invited an upcoming presentation on Equilibrium: Net Zero Project”. Equilibrium is a demonstration initiative that aims to build “net zero homes across Canada, meaning each home is designed to produce as much energy as it consumes through heat, light, and power. Speakers Ryan Scott (CEO - Avalon Master Builder, Calgary) and Patsy Bourassa (CEO - Canadian Home Builders' Association of the Central Interior) will discuss the equilibrium projects they're involved with, and how they hope to achieve net zero energy. It takes place April 29 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Rotary Center for the Arts in Kelowna. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. This event, sponsored by the Cascadia Region Green Building Council and Canada Mortgage and Housing, is part of the Transformational Lecture Series, which aims to inspire all building industry professionals to embrace their role in creating a sustainable built environment now, as well as ensuring that sustainability becomes integral to all development in the future. The fee is $10 for non-members; AIBC members can attend at no cost by registering under the Cascadia Partner rate. Pre-registration is required. For more information and to register, visit http://www.cascadiagbc.org/education/transformational-lecture-series.
The University Women's Club of Vancouver - Hycroft is holding an open house on Tuesday, June 9 at 5:30 p.m. This event will highlight Hycroft, a magnificent Italianate mansion built in 1909 at a cost of $10,000. Hycroft was constructed of concrete with 30 rooms on three floors, 13 bathrooms, a magnificent ballroom, a mirrored bar, and a wine cellar able to hold 2000 bottles. Thomas Hooper, the original architect, incorporated into the house many elements of classical Renaissance style along with some beaux-arts details. Charles Marega did the ornamental plaster-work on the ceiling and the friezes in the drawing room. Many other highlights will be featured as part of the house tour. To register, please contact Administrative Assistant Rosie On by phone (604-731- 4661) or e-mail (rosie@uwcvancouver.ca). Additional information is available online at www.uwcvancouver.ca.
The Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada is holding its 36th Annual Conference at Toronto’s Ryerson University from May 20-24, 2009. Titled “From Theory into Practice: Thinking Critically About Architecture, History and Theory”, its goal is to stimulate debate and discussion on the role of history and theory in the making of architecture in Canada. The theme also presents a challenge for participants to consider the study of architecture from a number of different perspectives. For more information and to register, visit http://www.canada-architecture.org/conference09.php
The National Research Council has obtained funding for several initiatives on indoor air quality under the federal government’s Clean Air Agenda. The ultimate outcome of the Indoor Air Initiative will be to reduce the effects of inadequate indoor air on the health of Canadians. One of the key activities has been the establishment of the Canadian Committee on Indoor Air Quality and Buildings (CCIAQB). Its mandate includes reviewing relevant information, identifying gaps and issues, sharing information, and developing best practices. Because the primary focus of the committee is indoor air quality as it relates to the design and operations of buildings and buildings systems, it was deemed critical to seek the participation of primary stakeholders in those areas - namely designers and operators of buildings and systems - as well as those directly affected by issues related to health and buildings. Although a specific format for participation has not yet been identified, the committee has envisaged that it could include attending meetings as observers, presentations from interested professionals, responding to questionnaires on particular issues, and providing feedback on committee discussions, papers and reports, possibly through an interactive website. As such, the committee is looking for expressions of interest from stakeholders interested in joining this extended network of collaborators. Please submit your EOI and a point of contact by May 15, 2009. For more information, please contact Luc Saint-Martin by e-mail (Luc.Saint-Martin@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca) or phone (613-993-7844). To access the committee minutes, including a list of current members, go to ftp://contact.irc.nrc.ca/outgoing/CCIAQB%20Documentation/. For more information on the NRC’s Indoor Air Initiative, please visit http://irc.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/ie/iaq/initiative_e.html
The Society of Graphic Designers of Canada (GDC), BC Industrial Designer’s Association and the Association of Canadian Industrial Designers invite you to the Vancouver premier of Gary Hustwit’s documentary film, “Objectified”. This feature-length documentary examines our complex relationship with manufactured objects and, by extension, the people who design them. It looks at the creativity at work behind everything from toothbrushes to tech gadgets. It is about the designers who re-examine, re-evaluate and re-invent our manufactured environment on a daily basis. It’s also about personal expression, identity, consumerism, and sustainability. Through vérité footage and in-depth conversations, the film documents the creative processes of some of the world’s most influential product designers, and looks at how the things they make impact our lives. This showing takes place Tuesday, May 5, at the Rio Theatre, 1660 East Broadway. The scheduled 6:30 p.m. showing has sold out so a second 9:30 p.m. showing has been added. Hustwit will be part of a post-film discussion. Tickets are $20 and available through the film’s web site: http://www.objectifiedfilm.com/special-screening-in-vancouver/
Revit Enthusiasts of the Lower Mainland (RELM) will be hosting a presentation by Scott Davis, AEC Technical Specialist from Autodesk. Davis will be discussing the new user interface, and the conceptual modeling tools that allow any type of modeling including freeform design. Dimitri Harvalais of Summit Technologies will also be presenting. It takes place on Monday, April 27, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Stantec Vancouver, 111 Dunsmuir Street. Those interested in attending are asked to R.S.V.P. by contacting Jordon@Summitaec.com
SRI Public Consultations
Throughout 2009, Metro Vancouver will be hosting public meetings this spring for lower mainland residents to discuss issues critical to the future of the region, specifically:
The focus of the Spring Series, which runs from April 1to May 27 in communities throughout the Lower Mainland, is on the Zero Waste Challenge, Liquid Waste Management and the Regional Growth Strategy. Both breakfast and evening sessions, along with regional forums, will be held. For a detailed list of meeting dates, times and locations, click here. Attend a session in your area, join the discussion and give your ideas. To secure a seat, pre-registration is encouraged. If you would like to provide feedback but are unable to attend a meeting, please send your comments to icentre@metrovancouver.org. The deadlines for feedback are: Zero Waste Challenge - May 1; Liquid Waste Management - May 15; Regional Growth Strategy - May 22.,For more information including copies of the draft plans, please visit www.metrovancouver.org or call (604) 432-6200.
For the latest in the Market Insights series, Light House has teamed up with the Vancouver Regional Construction Association to focus on solutions offered to the construction sector leading into the 2009 provincial election. A guest panel will discuss the platforms of B.C.'s various political parties, particularly how they would address the concerns of the construction industry. Panelists include: Damian Kettlewell, deputy leader of the Green Party and MLA for Vancouver-False Creek; Marc McPherson, department head at BuildDirect.com and representative for the BC Conservatives; Keith Sashaw, president of the Vancouver Regional Construction Association; Shane Simpson, environment critic for the NDP and MLA for Vancouver-Hastings; and a BC Liberal Party representative to be confirmed. It takes place Wednesday, April 29, 2009, from 7:30 – 10:000 a.m. at Simon Fraser University’s Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue in Vancouver. The cost is $62.50. To register, go to https://www.vrca.bc.ca/page/calendar.aspx. For more information about Market Insights, visit www.sustainablebuildingcentre.com/marketinsights.
May 11-17, 2009.The third annual spring Bike to Work Week, a seven-day celebration of commuter cycling organized by the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition. The benefits are obvious: it’s part of a healthy lifestyle, easy on the pocketbook, efficient in the city, and provides a wake-up call that coffee can’t rival. Get your workplace involved by registering a team and recruiting co-workers for the online competition. There are prizes for the teams that log the most kilometres, commutes, and participation, as well as daily prize draws. There is also a wrap-up barbeque on Friday, May 15, with free food, entertainment, and the chance to meet and greet thousands of city cyclists. It takes place from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the TELUS World of Science. Make the switch towards a cleaner, more sustainable form of transportation. To get more information and sign up , visit http://vacc.bc.ca/bike/bike.php?pageID=25.
The Vancouver Art Gallery is pleased to present an exhibition by renowned German photographer Andreas Gursky. The VAG will be the only North American museum to present Andreas Gursky: Werke/Works 80-08, the largest and most comprehensive exhibition of his remarkable career. Gursky’s photographs are celebrated as some of the most compelling images of our modern world, emphasizing the individual human’s insignificance relative to the built and natural environment. This 130-work exhibition will be on view from May 30 to September 20, 2009.
Sign up now for EPIC: The Vancouver Sun Sustainable Living Expo taking place May 8-10, 2009 at the new Vancouver Convention Centre. This event, Western Canada's only green living expo and eco-marketplace, is designed to educate and inspire consumers to live healthier, support green businesses, and do their part to save the planet. More than 80% of exhibit space has already been sold. Go to www.epicvancouver.com
The 26th Passive and Low Energy Conference (PLEA) will be held June 21-24, 2009 at Laval University’s School of Architecture, in Québec City. In the current context of important technological developments in the fields of alternative materials and energy, the aim of this year’s conference is to position users’ behavior as a key “active” determinant of energy performance in “passive” design through adaptive opportunities. PLEA2009 particularly addresses the applicability of passive design strategies in extreme climates, improving occupants’ satisfaction and encouraging environmental diversity whilst minimizing environmental impacts. Acclaimed keynote speakers and more than 160 presentations will offer the most recent thoughts and researches in the rapidly evolving world of low energy architecture. Experience three days of animated talks and debates about the Challenges, Strategies and Integration from the occupant’s perspective as it relates to truly low energy architecture and community planning. The deadline for early bird registration is May 1. For more information, go to http://www.plea2009.arc.ulaval.ca/E/program.html
Discover how Autodesk® 2010 software can turn your "what if" design scenarios into a reality. This information-packed event will address how to:
Participate in several informative sessions, including Take Design Further: Lynn Allen's AutoCAD 2010 Tips & Techniques, and learn how AutoCAD 2010 delivers groundbreaking new capabilities to tackle the most challenging design problems with ease. In addition, participants will see a range of solutions in action through various industry sessions, including design and intelligent modeling solutions from Autodesk® Inventor® software, Revit® software, AutoCAD® Map 3D software and Autodesk® 3ds Max® software. These presentations are ideally suited for architects, CAD managers, civil engineers, drafters, electrical controls engineers, government agencies, MEP engineers, mechanical engineers, product designers and design engineers. The Vancouver event takes place on Thursday, May 7. Registration is free, but space is limited. Go to www.autodesk.com/live
The Fresh Outlook Foundation's third annual Building SustainAble Communities took place February 24 - 26 in Kelowna. It brought together a broad spectrum of speakers with close to 450 community leaders from around the province to examine issues related to sustainability in British Columbia. Specific areas of focus included sustainable agriculture and sustainable business. Conference presentation handouts are now available for viewing at www.freshoutlookfoundation.org.
The Homeowners Protection Office invites you to attend its upcoming “Building Smart” workshop. Building Smart #11: Airtightness in Residential Construction will address changes in homeowner expectations relating to energy efficiency and the environment, and that will influence the houses are designed and built. Residential buildings are complex structures that integrate many building systems to produce a safe and comfortable space, and the air barrier is one of the most complex of these building systems. This seminar will provide information on air barriers, the impact of airtightness on building performance, and its role in comfort, air quality and energy usage. Presenter Murray Frank of Constructive Home Solutions Inc. is an industry expert who is also a college instructor in building science. His 2.5 hour presentation, which will include step-by-step construction details in wood frame and other methods of construction, will be of interest to builders, designers and building professionals in general. Each participant will receive a presentation guide and a certificate of completion. Workshops are scheduled for:
April 27 Abbotsford
May 14 Terrace
April 28 Whistler
May 19 Kelowna
April 29 Sechelt
May 20 Kamloops
May 12 Langford
May 21 Surrey
May 11 Victoria
May 25 Cranbrook
May 13 Vancouver
May 26 Castlegar
May 27 Penticton
The recent incursion of the Ontario provincial government into regulatory bodies raises questions about Canadian bodies’ right to self-regulate. Are these incursions a potential threat to this right? How can bodies preserve self-regulation while complying with government mandates? The Professional Associations Research Network (PARN), an international network of professional bodies, is hosting a workshop in Toronto on Tuesday June 23, 2009. It will include presentations and discussion that will focus on how regulatory colleges can preserve self-regulation, and the perceived threats to self-regulation. It will also look at self-regulation from an international perspective with discussion of preliminary results from the Professional Associations Research Network (PARN) Professional Bodies International Benchmark Survey. The second part of the program will raise the issues of volunteer management, understanding volunteers and maximizing volunteer contributions. Topic areas will include: using volunteers as “experts” and for specific projects or task forces; the most effective induction and training for volunteers; and the issues in relations between volunteers and staff. Speakers include:
For detailed information and to register, go to http://clients.enablermail.com/el/files/54/toronto%20program%20design%202.pdf
The annual symposium of the British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA) will take place on May 27 – 29, 2009, at the Telus Conference Centre in Whistler, B.C. In keeping with the BCRPA’s mandate of promoting sustainability and healthy lifestyles, this year’s theme is “Strength in CommUNITY”. The symposium will feature educational sessions, speaker presentations, tradeshow opportunities, and social events. The annual conference draws more than 500 delegates whose professional backgrounds include government officials, city planners, program directors, and recreation enthusiasts. Sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities are still available. Please visit www.bcrpa.bc.ca for more details or to register.
The 2009 BC Land Summit takes place May 20-22, 2009, in Whistler. It also serves at the annual conference for the British Columbia Lnadscape Architects Association. With an overall theme of A Better Future: Adapting to Change, this year’s event features four broad sub-themes: Changing Place & Space; Changing Environments; A World of Change; and Change in Motion. There will be four plenary sessions, four roundtables, nearly a dozen mobile workshop tours, and more than 60 concurrent sessions. Featured speakers include environmental activist Robert Kennedy, Jr., urban design and public space consultant Sherry Kafka Wagner, and former British Columbia Supreme Court Justice Thomas Berger, OC, QC, OBC. For detailed program information and to register, go to http://www.bclandsummit.com
AIBC registrants are invited to sign up for the Executing Social Media Masterclass 2009, which will be offered in both Vancouver (May 4-5) and Victoria (May 7-8). As today's communication landscape continues to morph, this unique series of social media courses will focus on how organizations can leverage social media to achieve business goals. Learn more about new and innovative social media and eCommunication tools, techniques, and technologies, including their impact on traditional advertising and marketing, the mainstream media, and employee communications. Discover how to utilize social media with employees, customers, colleagues and competitors to sell services, build relationships, engage employees, and strengthen your brand. These informal, intimate and highly interactive classes offer a valuable opportunity to hear perspectives, share experiences, and identify best practices. For more information or to register, call (416) 238-2751. Click here to download the program and registration form.
The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, Ordre des architectes du Québec and Association of Architects in Private Practice of Quebec are pleased to announce the launch of the website for the 2009 Festival of Architecture and Forum, June 17-20 in Montreal. The theme of this year’s festival is “Vision and Commitment,” acknowledging the unique and significant contribution the profession makes to solving the environmental and economic problems faced in this century. For a sneak peak at the keynote speakers, events, and other conference-related opportunities prior to registration in March, visit the site at http://festival2009.raic.org/index_e.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 Burnside Gorge Community Centre, a project of Garyali Architect Inc., is the recipient of a 2009 British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association Provincial Award. The BCRPA awards program recognizes individuals and organizations for their achievements in, and commitment to, the field of parks, recreation, culture and health promotion. The Burnside Gorge project was chosen in the category of Facility Excellence. This award honours excellence in facility concept, design development, maintenance, or operations, including outstanding innovation with significant impact in the recreation and parks field. This includes libraries, art galleries, museums, zoos, parks, playgrounds, performing arts facilities, horticulture areas, swimming pools, arenas, community centres, planetariums, and other public spaces. Presentations will be made on May 29 in Whistler. Note: this project is featured in the latest issue of architectureBC.
Several B.C. architecture and design firms took part in this year’s Sun Run, held on April 19. The team from Hughes Condon Marler: Architects lead the pack, completing the course with a timing of 8:12:13. Also among this year’s 42,500 runners were representatives from CEI Architecture Planning Interiors, Durante Kreuk Landscape Architects, NSDA Architects, and Walter Francl Architecture. For more information about this year’s Sun Run, please visit: http://www.vancouversun.com/sunrun/index.html.
Do you know someone whose work and dedication in preserving and promoting Canada's rich architectural heritage merits recognition? Nominations are currently being accepted for the Heritage Canada Foundation Awards. These include:
The nomination deadline is May 8, 2009. For information on nomination procedures, please contact Carolyn Quinn at cquinn@heritagecanada.org or visit the Heritage Canada Foundation website at http://www.heritagecanada.org/eng/services/awards.html.
Recommendations are now being accepted for the Aga Khan Award for Architecture. This awards program, established in 1977 by His Highness the Aga Khan, recognizes architectural excellence that encompass contemporary design, social housing, community improvement and development, restoration, re-use, and area conservation, as well as landscaping and environmental issues. The award embraces all types of building projects that affect today’s environments, ranging from modest small-scale interventions to major complexes and urban or regional design. Recommendations for nomination may include initiatives for housing, community and neighbourhood projects, and those that focus on urban areas and issues. Projects may also address infrastructure, transportation, industry, offices and commercial facilities, and educational and health facilities. Eligible projects must be designed for or used by Muslim communities, in part or in whole, wherever they are located. Submissions are especially encouraged in three under-represented categories: rural development, industry and places of work, and public spaces (small and large). This award cycle will focus on projects completed during the six-year period from 2003 through 2008. Eligible projects must have been completed and in use for at least one full year between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2008. Projects that are not yet fully completed – such as urban design, area conservation, and community upgrading schemes – are also eligible so long as a tangible portion has been completed and the potential success of the project can be demonstrated.” Architects and other project personnel may submit their own projects for consideration. This is an international program; individuals everywhere are encouraged to submit recommendations. For detailed information, visit http://www.akdn.org/akaa.asp.
The Toronto Society of Architects, in association with the Canada Green Building Council – Greater Toronto Chapter (CaGBC-GTC) and the Design Industry Advisory Committee (DIAC), invites submissions for its 2009 Green Poster Design Competition. The purpose of the competition is to produce an image that draws attention to the value of green design, and that illustrates how design can enhance economic, social, and ecological sustainability. The competition is open to everyone, including students and professional artists. Participants must register by May 1, 2009, and submissions (electronic only) are due by May 15, 2009. Posters must be A1 size (594 x 841 mm / 23.4 x 33.1 inches), and designs may use any form of photography, illustration, collage, or typography, provided no copyrights are violated in the design. Cash prizes will be awarded to the three top winners. Judging is scheduled for May 22, 2009. For full details, including a copy of the competition brief, visit the TSA website at http://www.torontosocietyofarchitects.ca/?q=node/94.
IN the construction industry, architects are sometimes like the canaries in a coal mine. Architecture firms started seeing signs of slackening demand in early 2008, and, in recent months, as the full force of the recession has hit, many of these firms have had to make deep staff cuts. Some of the biggest reductions have come at high-profile shops like Gehry Partners, which cut half its staff, and Foster + Partners, which shed 25 percent and shuttered some overseas offices. Adding to the woes of big-name architects, many of their most ambitious projects have been shelved, scaled back or abandoned. Gehry’s billion-dollar mixed-use developments in Los Angeles and Brooklyn are in limbo, Foster’s 118-story Russia Tower in Moscow is on hold, and work on Santiago Calatrava’s Twizzlerlike Chicago Spire, which was to be one of the world’s tallest buildings, has sputtered. The situation has led some industry watchers to declare an end to the era of celebrity architecture and signature buildings. More …
Architects Draft Blueprint for Hard Times
By Angela Kryhul, Globe and Mail Update
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
HOK Canada Inc.'s Lui Mancinelli can attest to the old saying that bad news comes in threes. Last November, in the space of just a few hours, the Toronto architecture firm learned that three of its Dubai clients had suspended the designing of millions of dollars worth of hotel, residential and retail mixed-use projects. That came as a surprise because commercial sector work in the Middle East was still pretty buoyant through 2008, even as projects in Canada were slowing down, says Mr. Mancinelli, HOK Canada's senior vice-president and managing principal. The Dubai work “kind of disappeared over a 36-hour period,” he says. Since then, HOK Canada has been forced to hunt for other kinds of work – a position that many other Canadian architecture firms also find themselves in as a result of the global slowdown in commercial development that the economic meltdown has wrought. More …
By C.J. Hughes, Architectural Record
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
In 2006, after Ben Straus earned an architecture degree from Carnegie Mellon University, he foresaw a long career of designing offices, hospitals, and university buildings. Instead, after being laid off in January from Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects in Portland, Oregon, Straus finds himself selling $6 pints of homemade ice cream out of his kitchen for Presidential Sweets, his new business. (Sample flavor: Vanillard Fillmore.) Still, even though Straus, 25, doesn’t expect to land a comparable architecture job for many months, he also isn’t opening up an ice cream parlor just yet. “I really love the profession. I chose it for a reason, and it’s become part of my life,” he says. “I don’t think I could ever give it up.” More …
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