The Supreme Court of Canada has overturned a decision of the British Columbia Court of Appeal in a high profile court case with significant ramifications for the design and construction sector. The case, Tercon Contractors Ltd. v. Her Majesty the Queen in Right of the Province of British Columbia, by her Ministry of Transportation and Highways, focused on exclusionary clauses in provincial tender calls. The court found that a particular exclusion clause in the RFP for construction services in question could not be interpreted to shield the owner from liability for accepting a proposal that was submitted by an ineligible proponent (and so non-compliant with the terms of the RFP). This decision has implications for the drafting of procurement documents and the owner’s conduct throughout the process. In its judgment, the court noted that “The Province breached the express provisions of the tendering contract with Tercon by accepting a bid from a party who should not even have been permitted to participate in the tender process and by ultimately awarding the work to that ineligible bidder. This egregious conduct by the Province also breached the implied duty of fairness to bidders. The exclusion clause, which barred claims for compensation ‘as a result of participating’ in the tendering process, did not, when properly interpreted, exclude Tercon’s claim for damages. By considering a bid from an ineligible bidder, the Province not only acted in a way that breached the express and implied terms of the contract, it did so in a manner that was an affront to the integrity and business efficacy of the tendering process.” The decision of the nine-member panel was by close majority judgment, five judges to four. The full decision is available online at http://scc.lexum.umontreal.ca/en/2010/2010scc4/2010scc4.pdf. The supporting affidavit provided by the AIBC as part of the initial proceedings is available here.

Canada Pavillion Controversy

Public concern and criticism of the Canada Pavilion for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games raised questions about architectural involvement. The AIBC has subsequently looked into the matter and determined that the project did not have a B.C.-registered architect involved as required by provincial statute.

It has been suggested by federal government representatives quoted by local media that the project was in compliance with local by-laws as required. However, by-laws (including the BC Building Code, which can be adopted by local government) do not and cannot abridge provincial laws. Compliance with the Code and local government by-laws does not equate to compliance with the Architects Act.

The Architects Act is provincial law of general jurisdiction and is the primary authority in the province for determining which buildings require an architect. The Building Code can extend the public safety protection provided by an architect to some buildings that would not normally require an architect by law. It cannot, however, diminish that protection or contravene the Act.

In the event that the provincial legislature wished to ‘exempt’ or ‘except’ certain building types and sizes from the requirement that an architect be retained (such as the Canada Pavilion), it would have to do so by amending the Architects Act. As far as we have been able to determine, this did not happen with regard to the Canada Pavilion.

For a more substantive review of the legal standard and the AIBC’s ongoing efforts to improve the understanding of and compliance with the Architects Act, members and associates may be interested in reviewing an example of the type of correspondence the AIBC sends to local governments as part of its ongoing education and illegal practice investigation efforts. Click here to view pdf.

At the heart of the issue is the public’s expectation that an accountable, competent and legally-mandated professional is on the job where required by law. The AIBC takes no pleasure in pursuing any level of government or third party on the eve of this great international celebration. However, it is our mandate to follow up on media inquiries, information or complaints received about breaches of the Architects Act and to attain a reasonable resolution.

Thomas Lutes, Barrister & Solicitor
Director of Professional Conduct and Illegal Practice

Late Fee Payment

The deadline for payment of annual fees has now passed. Ordinarily people who pay their annual AIBC fees after February 1 are subject to a higher annual fee. With the AIBC’s transition to an electronic notification and payment method this year, that deadline was extended by two weeks, meaning fees paid on or before February 12 were not assessed at the higher fee. Fee payments not yet received are now subject to the higher fee amount. All registrants and Certificate of Practice holders are encouraged to pay their fees sooner rather than later. Should you have concerns or questions about fee payment, please contact the AIBC at accounts@aibc.ca.

AIBC Council Nominations

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2010/11 AIBC Council. This is your opportunity to help shape the body responsible for the governance of the profession in this province. Your respective nomination form will soon arriving in the mail. They are also available online, on the AIBC Council page. All nominations must be received at the AIBC offices no later than 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 18, 2010. The election closes at the Annual Meeting on May 8, 2010.

Click on the following for the nomination forms:

Council Responses to 2009 Motions-from-the-floor

At its January 2010 meeting, AIBC Council completed its review and approved its responses to a series of four motions-from-the-floor (MFTF) that were supported at the 2009 Annual Meeting (the motions can be found in the draft June 27 Minutes of the Annual Meeting, under item 6.0). While noting that that any such motions are advisory and non-binding to Council, and that the specific motions had some specific wording challenges, Council reiterated its commitment to giving them due consideration with particular attention to the intents behind them. Council's responses are as follows:

Response to MFTF 6.1
Council policy now supports outcomes-based competency evaluation as one method of determining an individual’s capacity to meet registration criteria, and is actively doing that for candidates seeking to become architects.

Council is sensitive to concerns of some architects about possible/perceived effects of an expanded regulatory sphere under a revised Architects Act. Council respects these concerns. Council is of the opinion that the public interest will be best served if/when buildings of size/typology that currently can be designed and constructed under direction of people without proven competency and methods of accountability require competent and accountable professionals to design and review their construction. Future membership categories, if any, will be defined and limited by stringent competency standards commensurate with the complexity of work required under any scope of practice granted to that membership category.

Council is committed to an ongoing strategy of principled engagement/consultation with the membership; is not contemplating legislation-specific drafting in 2010; but remains open to the prospect of the Architects Act applying to a broader scope of building sizes/types/complexities than is now the case.

Response to MFTF 6.2
Prior drafts of a new statute are set aside. The provincial government is interested in receiving only essential components/directions/needs developed by the AIBC and Council arising from a demonstrated consultation process.

That process will elicit input, dialogue and support before any related submission to government, which will be shared with the membership.

Response to MFTF 6.3
The AIBC has a broad statutory mandate. Primarily a regulatory body, it also has the duty and capacity (under legislation and bylaws) to deliver programs and services to support the public interest by strengthening the profession (e.g.) in matters of practice, professional development and public/industry outreach and collaboration.

The AIBC is, however, limited (in mandate, resources and priority attention) in the nature and extent to which it should/can address matters of advocacy purely on behalf of architects.

In order to address any advocacy gap, there already exist these two avenues:

Architectural Foundation of BC (AFBC)

Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC)

Members are encouraged to join one or more of the abovementioned groups. They both are necessarily at arms-length from, but are on amicable terms with, the AIBC. The AFBC is already an “independent society” within our profession. The RAIC recently established a BC chapter.

Council believes it is beyond the scope of the Architects Act to establish a committee to explore this avenue.

Response to MFTF 6.4
Council recognizes and acknowledges members’ interests in a process that is open, inclusive and engages the full range of stakeholder input and involvement.

To that end, Council has begun an engagement process, key components of which include:

Face-to-face consultation

Open forums with principled discussion

Sharing clear information

Canvassing informed thought and opinion

Surveying/polling feedback (note: referendum is not available under the Act)

Council will listen carefully and utilize stakeholder feedback to inform its future directions and decisions consistent with its governance of the institute in the public interest. Council will continue forward on this basis.

AIBC Web Feature: Pram in the Hall

The AIBC is pleased to launch “Pram in the Hall”, an online feature developed by Stephanie Robb MAIBC that explores the impact of parenthood and family responsibilities on professional practice. Only 11% of architects registered in B.C. are women. This series of interviews with design professionals who are (or once were) also raising families reveals their personal experiences and lessons learned, and gets at the issue behind this disturbing trend. Web visitors are encouraged to share their own thoughts and feedback. Click here to go to Pram in the Hall.

Document 8C

We are pleased to announce that a new contract is now available: ‘AIBC Document 8C - 2010 Standard Short Form Contract Between Client and Consultant’. It supersedes ‘AIBC Document 8 Standard Short Form Agreement Between Client and Architect’. The new contract has been developed by the AIBC Contracts Committee (chaired by Monica Baillie MAIBC) in cooperation with, and endorsed by, the Consulting Engineers of BC. It is designed to be used by both architects and professional engineers in situations where the more comprehensive forms of agreement are not required. It is also suitable for use as a stand-alone contract for small, simple projects or limited scopes of service, or as an interim agreement, permitting professional services to commence while a more appropriate and complete contract is being prepared.

A reminder to all that a written agreement is a requirement per Bylaw 28.0. Practitioners are encouraged to review this new client-consultant contract and its accompanying guide, as well as Bulletin 67, ‘Terms of Engagement’, which addresses obligations regarding client-architect agreements.

Click here to open AIBC Document 8C (with Guide)

Click here to open Bulletin 67

The contract is being delivered by means of an interactive .pdf form which is available for download at no charge. When the contract is ready for use with a client, an AIBC Authorization Seal is to be affixed (to each copy) without which it is not valid. The AIBC Authorization Seals are available for architects and professional engineers from the AIBC. They can be purchased in person or via mail for $10 each. Please contact the AIBC front desk to obtain your order form.

Maura Gatensby MAIBC
Director of Professional Services
mgatensby@aibc.ca

Next Oral Review Session – March 2010

Due to the timing of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, the next oral review session will be held on March 23 and 24. The application form is available to download. Oral reviews are open to those Intern Architects who have both completed and logged at least 2800 hours, along with the required AIBC courses. Alternative Qualifications Candidates who are eligible to sit the oral review may also apply.

Those candidates planning on take part in this round of oral reviews are invited to attend an Oral Review Preparation Workshop on Wednesday, March 3, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the AIBC offices.

2010 AIBC Annual Conference

Community Building: The Social Impact of Architecture
2010 AIBC Annual Conference

May 6 - 8, 2010
Vancouver Convention Centre

Now more than ever, social challenges are beckoning change and transformation on a global scale. The theme for 2010, Community Building: The Social Impact of Architecture, celebrates the many ways in which today’s built environment defines our communities, and the critical role that architecture plays in articulating that definition. From simple homes and functional business space to state-of-the art hospitals and schools, from gritty streetscapes to iconic sport facilities, our communities are a true reflection of our complex society. Through vision, innovation, and social awareness, architects play an important part in shaping not only what our communities are, but what they can be. Through five learning streams, the 2010 AIBC Conference will explore architectural history, modern innovation, new challenges, best practices, and some of the innovative ways in which architects are responding to the social call for action. Detailed information can be found online at www.aibc.ca/conference2010.

Building Envelope Education Program Course Registration

For those registrants wishing to complete the AIBC’s Building Envelope Education Program (BEEP), now is your chance. Follow the link http://www.aibc.ca/member_resources/professional_dev/index.html and check out the course descriptions and scheduled dates. You can also access it from the AIBC home page. Click on "Course Registration" under Quick Links and register online. These courses are only offered once a year, so don’t miss out. The first offering of the year is BEEP Module III, scheduled for March 18-19, 2010.

12 Core LUs

BEEP Module I:

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

Bradlee Distributors

Join Bradlee Distributors on Thursday, April 1 for an evening of extensive product training on one of the industry’s most luxurious kitchen brands, Sub-Zero and Wolf.
Cocktails begin at 5:00 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:00 p.m. The educational component (seminar and tour) takes place from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. The location is 13780 Bridgeport Road, Richmond. Please r.s.v.p. to Alexis at (604) 244-1744 or agavin@bradlee.net.

1.5 Non-core LUs

Society of Graphic Designers of Canada, BC Chapter

Design Week – Design Currency: Defining the Value of Design

Design Currency 2010 will offer designers, business leaders and government workers the opportunity to experience current design thinking while reshaping their understanding of the value of design. Registration includes the opening keynote session and welcome reception, all sessions of the Design Currency Conference, admission to the Design Currency Trade Fair and workshops. It takes place April 26 to April 30 at the Vancouver Convention Centre. For details, or to register, please visit http://www.designweekvancouver.ca/.

Core and Non-core LUs Available

British Columbia Institute of Technology Centre for Architectural Ecology

Green Roofs 1000 - Details, Installation & Maintenance (Nanaimo)

This course will provide design professionals, contractors, and planners who already have a basic understanding of green roofs with the knowledge to determine appropriate green roof systems, design performance criteria, installation and maintenance requirements. Participants will be exposed to leading edge information on materials, design details, and implementation methods. The course presents regionally-relevant solutions supported by the current research at the Centre for Architectural Ecology. Participants will integrate the lectures with practical hands-on activities through project work, and will further apply their knowledge through case study discussions and a tour of the GR Paine Horticultural Training Centre. The instructor is Maureen Connelly MAIBC. The cost is $450 plus GST. The three sessions take place each Saturday from March 13 to March 27 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the G.R. Paine Centre: 2324 E. Wellington Road, Nanaimo.

18 Core LUs

GROW 0001 - Green Roofs - Concepts, Systems and Incentives

Participants will learn about the basics of green roofs, definitions of the different types of green roof systems and materials, appropriate vegetation for intensive, semi-intensive and extensive green roofs. Course content will provide knowledge of a benefit analysis of green roofs through case study. The format will be two hours of lecture and two hours of workshop. Participants will tour the dedicated Green Roof Research Facility at the Centre for Architectural Ecology to review products and mock up a green roof assembly. This interdisciplinary course would be of interest to planners, design professionals and others in the building industry. For more information please contact Jonathan Hays at BCIT Centre for Architectural Ecology by phone ((604) 456-1007) or e-mail (Jonathan_Hays@bcit.ca). It takes place March 25, 2010, 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the Centre for Architectural Ecology (BCIT Great Northern Way Campus, Vancouver). For details or to register, please visit http://www.bcit.ca/study/courses/grow0001.

4 Core LUs

Simon Fraser University City Program

Real Estate Development from the Inside Out
This course gives insight into the real estate industry, including how it is structured and how it operates. The course provides a brief history of real estate development. It also defines the process, identifies the players, and describes how they interrelate. Content will illustrate successes and failures, point out the hurdles developers must overcome, and discuss what makes them tick. It will also include reviews of case studies, and outlining the difference between developing in Canada, the United States and Europe. The course runs for six Mondays, from March 8 to April 19, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. The cost is $395 (GST included). For more information or to register, please visit http://www.sfu.ca/city/course12popup.htm.

18 Non-core LUs

Women in Architecture (WIA)

Employment Issues
Join WIA for an evening of information sharing, advice, and experiences. Laura Arpiainen, Monica Baillie, Nancy Mackin, Joy Martin, and Desiree LaCas are among the voices at the table. Issues under discussion include maternity leave, the Employment Act, documents that your employer might ask you to sign, the role of the AIBC, and where to turn if you have questions. Everyone is welcome. It takes place Wednesday, March 24, 2010: potluck dinner at 6:00 p.m., discussion at 7:00 p.m. The location is Eva Matsuzaki’s home, 2550 Courtenay Street, Vancouver. RSVP is appreciated; contact Eva by phone (604-228-0807) or by e-mail (evamatsuzaki@gmail.com).

2 Non-core LUs

InterCoast Sales

3rd Annual Sustainable Architecture Symposium

You are invited to attend this intensive full-day workshop featuring recognized experts who will present the latest technologies for sustainable architectural design using advanced building envelope technologies.
Attendees will gain a better understanding of some the key design issues in designing sustainable buildings. This seminar will be of interest to design principals architects, engineers, building owners, municipal government officials and LEED®AP professionals. Registration is $219.00 (early bird rate of $189 prior to March 7). It takes place at the Empire Landmark Hotel, 1600 Robson Street, Vancouver on Thursday, March 18. For more information or to register, please visit www.intercoastsales.ca or contact Annette Riley by phone (1-877-866-3369) or e-mail (Annette@intercoastsales.ca).

6 Core LUs

Cascadia Green Building Council

Transformation Lecture Series: Sustainable Stewardship- Greening Historic Building
Barbara Campagna, the Chief Architect for the US National Trust for Historic Preservation, will discuss the National Trust’s Sustainability Program and how the 29 historic sites of the National Trust are integrating historic preservation values with green building practices – from green housekeeping techniques to sustainability master plans to LEED certification for historic rehabilitations.

Victoria
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Legacy Gallery, 630 Yates Street
5:30 p.m.; $10

Kelowna
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Rotary Centre for the Arts, Pacific Board Room, 421 Cawston Avenue
5:30 p.m.; $10

Limited seating available; advance registration encouraged.

For more information or to register, please visit http://www.cascadiagbc.org/education/transformational-lecture-series#british-columbia-1

IMAGINiT Technologies

Sustainable Design: Ecotect Analysis Fundamentals (Web-based Workshop)

Ecotect Analysis software is a comprehensive concept-to-detail sustainable design analysis tool, providing a wide range of simulation and analysis functionality. Users can interact with powerful 3D feedback to explore factors such as solar energy, shadows and reflections, and day lighting. Using Autodesk Ecotect Analysis, architects and designers can gain better insight into building performance early in the process, helping to achieve more sustainable designs, faster time to market, and lower project costs. For more information or to register, please contact Kam Seignarack by e-mail (kam.seignarack@rand.com) or phone (604-207-2114).

16 Core LUs

AEC Daily Online Learning

AEC Daily offers free online courses worth core learning units. For a list of offerings, please visit their online learning centre at http://www.aecdaily.com/en/236763?list=4

Current Exhibit: BienVenue: 2010 Games Architecture

February 10 – March 1, 2010
AIBC Gallery: #100 – 440 Cambie Street, Vancouver
Opening Reception: Thursday, February 11, 2010, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

The Architectural Institute of British Columbia presents a unique exhibit from February 10 to March 1, 2010. Designed to coincide with the 2010 games, this exhibit will showcase the innovative work of B.C. architects and firms involved in designing competition and non-competition venues.

The AIBC Gallery is free and open to the public Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Click here to view a slideshow of current project submissions.

Zipcar

As a recent addition to the Club AIBC program, Zipcar is a car sharing program that enhances personal and business travel in Vancouver. Zipcar offers exclusive rates for all AIBC registrants. Enjoy a discounted membership rate of $30 / year, with no deposit or monthly charges. Or upgrade to the Zipcar for Business account for free. For more information on this offer, or to sign up, please visit www.zipcar.com/aibc.

CHOP II – Hard Copy

The print version of the new Canadian Handbook of Practice, Second Edition can now be purchased online through the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada. The handbook has been completely updated and features extensive additions, and has been completely updated. The print version, encompassing three binders, includes a list of acronyms, index, checklists, charts, sample forms, and more than 600 pages of text. Note: As with the First Edition, CCDC contract documents are not included, and must be purchased separately. CD-ROM and PDF versions are also available. The CHOP is available at specially discounted prices for Canadian architects, intern architects, and students in a Master's program at an accredited Canadian school of architecture. For access to discounted prices, users must first register with the CHOP Order Centre. To register, order, of for information including prices, visit https://www.raic.org/chop/registration/index.cfm?CFID=12688804&CFTOKEN=38218247.

Seismic Slope Changes

New requirements for seismic slope stability have been added to the BC Building Code, effective February 1, 2010. Details on the new standards can be found online at http://www.housing.gov.bc.ca/building/bulletins/B10_01_seismic_slope_stability.pdf. For further information, please contact Steven Kuan, Seismic Engineer - Building and Safety Policy Branch - Ministry of Housing and Social Development, by phone (604-218-0296) or e-mail (Steven.Kuan@gov.bc.ca).

2010 SAA / RAIC Conference

AIBC members are encouraged to mark their calendars for the 2010 Saskatchewan Architectual Association / Royal Architectural Institute of Canada Conference and Festival of Architecture, June 22-26 in Saskatoon. “Sounds Like Architecture!” will feature a wide range of continuing education sessions, networking opportunities and other festival events. In keeping with the conference theme, this year’s event will coincide with the start of the annual Saskatchewan Jazz Festival – a 10 day celebration of music. Visit the conference web site at www.festival.raic.org.

ArtWalk Vancouver 2010

ArtWalk Vancouver 2010 is an innovative studio event in the city’s Downtown East Side, Gastown and Chinatown, kicks off this week. This two+ week event celebrates more than 250 Vancouver artists working, living and creating in the city's historic core, and involves more than 35 galleries, studios, and store fronts. It also includes 13 temporary “Pop Up Galleries” - empty spaces transformed into vibrant settings of fascinating local art. For more details, visit artwalkvancouver.ca.

Italy Summer 2010 Field School

The San Gemini Preservation Studies Program, which is dedicated to the preservation of cultural heritage, is offering a summer field school in architectural survey and restoration, elements of art restoration and conservation of archaeological ceramics. The field projects involve the survey and restoration of medieval churches, archeological excavation in the ancient Roman city of Carsulae, and work on local archival material. To find out more, visit http://www.sangeministudies.org.

CCA Architecture Program Deadlines

Submissions are being accepted for the following CCA architecture programs. For these programs, “works of architecture” are defined as built works as well as works of critical or design research on architecture, landscape architecture or the urban environment including buildings, landscapes and places. Architecture and landscape architecture professionals are eligible to apply.

Professional Prix de Rome in Architecture – awarded annually to a young practitioner of architecture or an architectural firm who has completed its first built works and demonstrated exceptional artistic potential. The prize encourages the development of artistic excellence in contemporary architectural practice by supporting the laureates to travel around the world to hone their skills, develop their creative practice and strengthen their position in an international architectural milieu. Prize amount: $50,000. Deadline: March 1, 2010.
Ronald J. Thom Award for Early Design Achievement - awarded to either a practitioner of architecture or an architectural firm who is in the early stages of his or her career and who demonstrates both outstanding creative talent and exceptional potential in architectural design. The successful candidate must demonstrate sensitivity to architecture’s allied arts, crafts and professions within the context of an integrated built environment, which includes landscape architecture, interior design, furniture design, graphic design and decorative arts. Award amount: $10,000. Deadline: March 1, 2010.
Assistance to Practitioners Critics and Curators of Architecture - supporting architecture professionals and architectural firms in the production of special projects that promote contemporary Canadian works of architecture to a broad and diverse public. Projects must lead to the production of a book, exhibition, film and video, television program, radio program, multimedia program, series of articles or lectures, or other public event. This program also provides funding to professional competition advisors to develop material related to an architectural competition. Maximum grant amount: $20,000. Deadline: March 1, 2010.
Travel Grants to Professionals in the Visual Arts in support of visual and fine craft artists, independent critics and curators, and architecture professionals for travel to attend or participate in activities important to their practice. Maximum grant amount: $2,500. Deadline: March 1, 2010.

Notice: The Professional Prix de Rome, Ronald J. Thom Award, and assistance programs are currently undergoing minor revisions. Updated guidelines and application forms will available through the CCA website in early February. For further questions, please contact Architecture Officer Sarah Gelbard (e-mail: sarah.gelbard@canadacouncil.ca; phone: 1 (800) 263-5588.

High Performance Design Exhibition

The Charles H. Scott Gallery at Vancouver’s Emily Carr University of Art + Design features a design exhibition from January 20 to March 7, 2010. Titled High Performance, it showcases a selection of products from the field of sports and recreation that showcase the innovative work of Canadian designers. With rugged landscapes, vast distances, and harsh winters, the Canadian environment has challenged designers and inspired the development of products that enable individuals to pursue activities in the Canadian landscape. Many products, such as kayaks and snowshoes, have evolved from their traditional designs into modern pieces through the use of high-tech materials, advanced manufacturing processes and new design strategies. Featured works include GV Snowshoes, G3 Genuine Guide Gear, Homegrown Skateboards, Gatt Sled, Hennessey Hammock, Feathercraft Products, BIXI Public Bike System, Knolly Bikes, Toby’s Cycle Works, Islander Reels, Arc’teryx, Cervélo Cycles, Boblbee, Dakine and the Original Maple Bat Corporation. The exhibition, with a unifying theme of “high performance”, is curated by Greg Bellerby and designed by Campos Leckie and Oliver Neumann in collaboration with the University of British Columbia’s School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture and the University of Toronto Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design, and presented with support of the Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad. For more information, please visit http://chscott.ecuad.ca/exhibitions/201001_high_performance.html.

Call for Entries: World Sustainable Building Conference

Canadian firms are invited to take part in the Sustainable Building Challenge, an international co-operative process to develop understanding of performance assessment tools and highlight innovative sustainable building design techniques. The challenge will form a key part of the Seventh World Sustainable Building Conference (SB11) in Helsinki, Finland, October 18-21, 2011. Held every three years, the event provides the opportunity for the world’s leading technical experts and researchers to advance their knowledge by focusing on technical developments and case studies. The 2009 conference in Melbourne, Australia, attracted more than 2,000 delegates and showcased projects from 60 countries. Canadian designers - particularly architects, engineers, commercial developers and building owners - are encouraged to submit their projects for consideration. Commercial, institutional and multi-unit residential building types from either the public or private sector will all be considered; eligibility is restricted to projects that demonstrate potential exemplary and balanced sustainability performance objectives as part of the design process. All projects must be under construction or completed prior to June 1, 2010. The iiSBE Canada SB11 Team will select three building projects from those submitted. Up to five additional projects will be selected and presented in poster format. The closing date for entries is Friday, April 30, 2010. Further information and application forms, go to http://www.iisbe.org/sbc11/canada/call.

Save the Date: Building SustainABLE Communities

The Fresh Outlook Foundation is hosting its fourth Building SustainABLE Communities conference in Kelowna, BC from November 16 to 18, 2010. Speakers include:

Terry Tamminen: Climate action advisor to California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and BC Premier Gordon Campbell. Author of Lives Per Gallon: The True Cost of Our Energy Addiction.
Dr. Reginald Bibby: Sociologist at the University of Lethbridge and Canada's premier tracker and interpreter of social trends.
Michael Kinsley: A senior consultant with the Rocky Mountain Institute who has helped build sustainable economies and environments since 1983.

For more information, please visit www.freshoutlookfoundation.org.

City of Vancouver Olympic Service Levels

Staff from many City of Vancouver departments will be providing support to the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. As a result, some services levels will be affected for the period of the games, February 11-28, 2010. This includes Development Services, Planning, Licences and Inspections as well as the Engineering Services Group (Crossroads location). New applications, fully completed, will be accepted for trades, tenant improvements, laneway housing, renovations to conditional one- and two-family dwellings, new “outright” one- and two-family dwellings, tree removal, signs and “over the counter” development and building permits. Enquiries only will be accepted for project facilitation, rezonings, subdivision and strata approvals, and larger development and building permits. Inspections, building licences, occupancy permits, property research and copies of building plans will be processed on a limited basis. Those who anticipate requiring any such services during the Olympics are encouraged to contact the city in advance. Additional information can be found online at http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/developmentservices/

Call for Papers: Heritage Challenges Conference

École de design and Institut du patrimoine of Université du Québec à Montréal are organizing a conference entitled “Preserving Modern Architecture in Québec, Canada, and Elsewhere: Heritage Challenges and the Mobilization of Knowledge”. It will be held in Montréal from October 14 - 17, 2010. Submissions are currently being accepted for conference presenters. For detailed information, including the Call for Papers, visit the conference web site (available in January) at http://www.ip.uqam.ca/

2010 BC Real Estate Convention

The 6th Annual BC Real Estate Convention takes place April 8-9, 2010 at the Vancouver Convention Centre. This annual event, which brings together developers, realtors, municipalities, financial institutions, insurance agencies, associations and many other involved in the real estate industry, will be of interest to anyone involved with residential or commercial real estate. It features highly informative speakers, seminars, exhibitions, networking and investment opportunities. Admission is free with pre-registration. Go to http://www.bcrealestateconvention.com/bcrec/main/frame.php?main=22.

Globe 2010

Globe 2010, the Biennial Conference and Trade Fair for Business and the Environment, will take place March 24 – 26 at the Vancouver Convention Centre. This is the largest and longest-running event dedicated to the business of the environment in North America. The conference themes for 2010 include corporate sustainability innovation, climate change & carbon management, the future of energy, financing the low carbon economy, and the urban infrastructure revolution. Additional topics such as water and clean technology will be covered. For more information, or to register, visit www.globe2010.com.

Power Smart Forum & Excellence Awards

BC Hydro’s annual Power Smart Forum happens October 25 – 27, 2010 at the Vancouver Convention Centre. It will bring together business decision makers who are seeking strategies for energy-efficiency and conservation. This year’s event has been expanded to three days, and will include the Power Smart Excellence Awards, BC Hydro’s annual celebration of energy-efficiency and conservation leadership. As planning for this event begins, participation is being inviting from members of the province’s building design and construction sector. A call for speakers at the Power Smart Forum has now been issued. In addition, nominations are now being accepted for the BC Hydro Workplace Conservation Leader award. Both calls close on Friday, April 30 at 4:00 p.m. For forum details and proposed speaking topics, visit bchydro.com/forum. For awards information, go to bchydro.com/awards.

Northern BC Building Awards

Entries are now being accepted for the Northern B.C. Building Awards. These awards, jointly sponsored by the Canadian Home Builders’ Association - Northern BC (CHBANBC) and the Commercial Council of the B.C. Northern Real Estate Board (BCNCC), will celebrate the region’s best in residential and, for the first time, commercial building over the last year. There are more than two dozen CHBA-NBC award classifications, and commercial categories that include: Affordable Housing; Commercial Green/ Energy Efficiency; Commercial Reno/ Restoration; Commercial/ Retail; Community Institution; Community Seniors Housing; Hospitality; Industrial; and Mixed Use; Multi Family; and Office. The deadline for nominations is February 28. For additional information on the residential awards, contact CHBA-NBC Executive Officer Sharon Slager at and sislager@shawcable.com. For details on the Commercial Building Awards, contact Commercial Council Chair Konrad Schmid-Meil at konrad@schmid-meil.com

Venice Biennale in Architecture

"Hylozoic Ground," a project by Philip Beesley Architect Inc. in collaboration with the University of Waterloo’s School of Architecture, has been selected to represent Canada at the 2010 Venice Biennale in Architecture. The chosen project is a uniquely Canadian experimental architecture that explores qualities of contemporary wilderness, and promises to transform the Canadian Pavilion with an immersive environment composed of interactive mechanical fronds, filters and whiskers that senses and responds to its human occupants. It was selected through a juried national competition held by the Canada Council for the Arts. The CCA will be partnering with the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada to assist with this year’s biennale, which takes place in Venice, Italy, from September to November 2010.

A Fresh Look at 20th Century Architectural Heritage

The International Union of Architects has launched an international competition that invites participants to share their own expression of 20th Century architecture using today’s design tools. Architecture students from around the world are invited to create image models of significant architectural creativity realised during the last century. All phases of the competition will be conducted on-line, and all image models must be based on digital photographs created using Autodesk® ImageModeler™ and Autodesk® Stitcher™ Unlimited software (the software will be made available to competitors free of charge for the duration of the competition.) Working as teams or individuals, students are free to choose the structure they wish to represent, from a major landmark to an unknown building, with the condition that it was built between 1901 and 2000. Registration is open until April 26, 2010. For full information, visit www.archi.fr/3D_20th.

What Does Affordable Housing Look Like?

By Jonathon Narvey, Granville Online
February 11, 2010

One of the persistent complaints of anti-Olympics protesters is the amount of money spent on the Vancouver Winter Games. Couldn't it have gone to alleviate homelessness and affordable housing issues in the Downtown Eastside? Indeed, some fear that negative international coverage of the DTES will overshadow the achievements of our Olympic athletes and the equally extraordinary achievements of the rest of our beautiful metropolis; or for that matter, the vibrant and positive aspects of the DTES as one of Vancouver’s oldest neighborhoods. More …

What Will Vancouver Look Like When the Winter Games Are Gone?

By Jesse Ashlock, Fast Company
February 12, 2010

On the eve of the 2010 Winter Olympics, a Vancouver Sun poll revealed that most Vancouver residents remain ambivalent about the Games - nearly 60% of respondents calling them a waste of money that could have been better spent elsewhere. That's not exactly surprising, considering the taxpayer bailout that was needed to finish the $1 billion Olympic Village, or the widespread perception that private developers had just a little too much influence over the planning process. Somewhat counter-intuitively, however, the poll also showed that Vancouverites are mostly optimistic about the legacy the Olympics will have on their city. More...

It Took a Village, But They Got it Right

By Lisa Rochon, Globe and Mail
February 13, 2010

To openly admire the Olympic Village is a risky business. Heaping praise on a large-scale waterfront development lacks the appropriate Canadian reticence. You can already hear the chorus: From behind their masks, they hail as disingenuous any applause for a project built during the economic collapse and requiring a $700-million bailout by a city. More than that, we don't do new urban neighbourhoods well in this country, so surely this one, the last developable site on the shores of Southeast False Creek in Vancouver, warrants the typical lashing. But when I saw it from across the creek, and then up close, what became clear to me was this: The Olympic Village is a serious urban accomplishment. More …

Olympic Village Hailed World's Greenest Neighbourhood

CTV BC
February 16, 2010

The newly-constructed Vancouver neighbourhood housing Olympic and Paralympic athletes and coaches during the 2010 Games now has a new distinction to add to its resume: the world's greenest. The Olympic Village in Vancouver's Southeast False Creek was awarded LEED Platinum certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Tuesday, certifying it as the greenest, most energy efficient and sustainable neighbourhood on Earth. More …