If you have trouble viewing this page, please click here.
The AIBC Gallery presents the IDIBC Awards, an exhibition showcasing the winning submissions from the 2008 IDIBC Awards of Excellence. The opening reception takes place on Thursday, February 26, from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. More...
Submissions are now being accepted for the AIBC Annual Awards. This program recognizes excellence in completed architectural projects led or designed by AIBC members while encouraging public interest in B.C. architects and architecture. The deadline for submissions is Monday, April 6, 2009 at 12:00 noon. Detailed information including award categories and submission guidelines is available at http://www.aibc.ca/conference/awards.html#goals.
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. Our key audience and personalized approach keeps sponsors coming back year after year. Sign up for the 2009 AIBC Annual Conference and find out why. Detailed information is available at http://www.aibc.ca/conference/sponsorship.html. Please contact AIBC Communications Specialist Lisa Toyne at ltoyne@aibc.ca for more information or to book your sponsorship.
Nominations are now being accepted for this year’s AIBC Council election. This is your opportunity to help shape the body responsible for the governance of the profession in this province. The ballot for the election, which takes place at the Annual Meeting on May 9, 2009, will include candidates for five MAIBC representatives and one Intern Architect representative on the next council. Click here to access the nomination form for MAIBCs and for Intern Architects. Note: All nominations must be submitted using the original form, and must be received at the AIBC offices no later than 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, 2009.
Presenter: Tim Ankenman MAIBC
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
AIBC Offices
#100 – 440 Cambie Street, Vancouver
These seminars, free for AIBC Intern Architects, are designed to assist them with their preparation of the NCARB ARE tests. It is suggested that IAs review study materials for each of the exams in preparation of the seminars. The schedule can be found in the Intern Architects section of the AIBC website, under “Registrant Resources.” (Sessions take place at the AIBC offices. Please be sure to check the online schedule for updates as the dates of the seminars may change.)
March 9 and April 14, 2009
4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
AIBC Offices, #100 – 440 Cambie Street, Vancouver
Please join us for a series of information workshops on the proposed new Architectural Professions Act. Each of these progressive sessions will focus on specific aspects of the proposed new legislation. These workshops are part of AIBC Council’s commitment to additional consultation, leading to a full-day session at the 2009 AIBC Annual Conference. Each workshop will focus on different aspects of the proposed legislative changes. The outline for each session is as follows:
Monday, February 9, 2009 (completed)
Monday, March 9, 2009
Mandatory Insurance
Specialization
Role of the Registrar
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Proposed Framework for Bylaws
Proposed Framework for Scope of Practice
Please note that agenda items may change as the workshops
progress. Also, this does not preclude discussion of other
items where time permits. Everyone is welcome to attend. Please
confirm your attendance for each of these workshops at communications@aibc.ca.
The AIBC’s Professional Development Department is in the process of inputting submissions for interim reporting of learning units. All AIBC registrants are required to continue self-reporting their LUs, either on line or by fax/mail. As another step toward the “greening” of the AIBC, the Professional Development Department will no longer be mailing out an interim transcript. Instead, you will be able to view this transcript on line. All submissions received by March 1, 2009 will be recorded on line by April 1, 2009. Please check your on-line record at that time to ensure it is accurate. Final reporting of learning activities for the “seventh” reporting period remains June 30, 2009.
Dr. Diane Archibald
Director of Professional Development
The 2009 AIBC Directory is now available online at www.aibc.ca. To access the file directly, click here.
Complimentary print directories have also been mailed this week to AIBC-registered architects, affiliates, associates and correspondents. Additional copies are available for public purchase through the AIBC offices for a fee of $60.00. To order, please call (604) 683-8588.t
The institute is pleased to advise that the AIBC Tariff of Fees for Architectural Services has been updated following its review and endorsement by the Business Practices Committee and Practice Board (Chair Richard Bolus MAIBC).
Revision #3, February 2009 to the Fourth Edition (2000) reflects the recommended hourly-rate fees for principals and staff consistent with Bulletin 51. It makes appropriate reference to the AIBC-endorsed standard client/architect/consultant contracts (AIBC-6C; RAIC-6) and provides updated information on “Buildings Requiring the Services of an Architect” consistent with Bulletin 31. Reference is also made to additional, relevant AIBC bulletins, specifically Bulletin 54 (Educational Facilities), Bulletin 55 (Multiple Market Housing), Bulletin 56 (Enhanced Building Envelope Services), Bulletin 64 (Proposal Calls) and Bulletin 90 (Minimum Acceptable Scope of Services). The revised document contains a clarified definition for “construction cost” that excludes value-added taxes, land development costs, and contingencies while reinforcing the inclusion of cash allowances, changes, and work coordinated by the architect - all consistent with the defined terms of current standard contracts. Necessary syntax, nomenclature, typographical and format changes have also been addressed. Review of the entire document is encouraged. It is available here.
A newly updated index of AIBC official documents is also available, and a revised Sequences and Scope of Architectural Services Chart is under development. As an initiative of the AIBC Practice Department and its volunteer committees, the monitoring of practice notes, practice-related bulletins, contracts and other documents occurs on an ongoing basis. Current updates are posted periodically in our weekly eNews and on the AIBC web site. Members’ feedback is welcome to the attention of Coordinator of Professional Practice Erica Holt (eholt@aibc.ca).
Michael Ernest MAIBC
Director of Professional Practice
AIBC / APEGBC Collaboration: Building Envelope Matters
The AIBC is pleased to acknowledge the endorsement by the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia (APEGBC) of AIBC Bulletin 34: Building Envelope Services – Appropriate Professional Practice. The bulletin is consistent with the understandings and agreements of the governing councils for both the AIBC and APEGBC concerning terminology; respective roles; scope and application of “Enhanced Building Envelope Services”; and “Joint Building Envelope Practice Points of Principle”. It underpins Bulletin 56 recommended fees for related services. It is also an excellent example of the ongoing collaboration between the two professional licensing organizations. Though identical in content to the previous version, the January 2009 update makes explicit this mutual endorsement. The updated document is now available online (http://www.aibc.ca/bulletins/Bulletin_34_Jan09.pdf).
The AIBC’s Building Envelope Committee (under Chair Ted de Grey MAIBC) is also monitoring the progress of a joint AIBC/APEGBC working group exploring the prospect of a specialist designation that would encompass competence and scope beyond what is normally practised. As an initiative of the AIBC Practice Department and its volunteer committees, monitoring of practice notes, practice-related bulletins, contracts and other documents is ongoing. Current updates are posted periodically in our weekly eNews and on the AIBC web site. Members’ feedback is welcome to the attention of Coordinator of Professional Practice Erica Holt (eholt@aibc.ca).
Michael Ernest MAIBC
Director of Professional Practicet
TNew Date: Wednesday, March 11, 2009
12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m.
AIBC Offices (large boardroom)
#100 – 440 Cambie Street, Vancouvert
VERICO Ellis Mortgages Canada (EMC), one of the newest partners in the AIBC’s Registrant Benefits Program (Club AIBC), is now offering both registrants and staff the benefit of its corporate mortgage discount program.
The previously-announced information session has been rescheduled to Wednesday, March 11, 2009, from 12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m. in the AIBC large boardroom. An EMC representative will be on hand to present an overview of their services, including mid-term interest rate reductions and home equity lines of credit. If you are thinking about taking out a new mortgage, or wondering how to restructure your existing one, you might find this very beneficial. Lunch will be provided.
If you are planning to attend, please confirm in advance to Ama Joppa (amaj@emcmortgages.ca).
The AIBC has issued a Request for Qualifications seeking a consultant to help the institute complete work underway to develop an outcomes-based qualifications assessment matrix for registration as an architect in British Columbia. The consultant must have expertise in registration and licensing requirements for architects in this province as well as in the theory and application of outcomes-based competency assessments. A draft matrix is available for review.
Nominations are now being accepted for the AIBC’s annual Volunteer Recognition Awards. There are three awards:
AIBC Honorary Membership - for significant and outstanding contributions by a non-registrant to increasing the awareness and appreciation of architecture. Click here for the nomination form.
AIBC Special Certificate of Recognition - for recent and general volunteer contributions demonstrating expertise and leadership in specific initiatives for the benefit or enhancement of the practice and profession of architecture by an individual registrant or firm. Click here for the nomination form.
The Barbara Dalrymple Memorial Award for Community Service - in recognition of lifetime or exceptional contributions by an individual registrant or firm. Click here for the nomination form.
The deadline for nominations is March 18, 2009.
Carla Brown-John
Director – Administration & Human Resources
A: The interests of the public are recognized and directly represented throughout this process in two ways: through their elected government representatives with whom the AIBC has consulted on legislative and regulatory issues; and through the Lieutenant Governor’s appointees, four layperson representatives who are members of AIBC Council. Both the provincial government, at ministerial and administrative levels, and the LG Appointees (both current and previous) have expressed full support for the direction being taken with respect to AIBC regulation of other design professionals.
Click here to read more from the Special Meeting Q&A 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 III. The deadline to register for this course is February 27, 2009.
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
Green Roof Seminar
This full-day seminar will review the newest trends and product information to enable green roof professionals to achieve the full potential of green roof design and installation. Topics include green roof policies and standards, the benefits of green roofs, roof technology in combination with green roofs, and green roof technology with a focus on various drainage layers, growing mediums and plant material. The seminar will also address how to install extensive green roofs on traditional flat roofs or sloped applications, as well as intensive roof gardens for apartment buildings or parking decks. It takes place 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at the Vancouver Library Square, 350 West Georgia Street. For details or to register, please visit http://www.zinco.ca/seminar2009.htm.
6.5 Core LUs
Green Roof Grow
Register now for the following GREEN ROOF GROW courses in February and March 2009. These practical, leading edge courses in green roof technology have been developed by BCIT’s Centre for Architectural Ecology for planners, architects, landscape architects, building professionals, and environmentalists. All courses take place at BCIT’s Great Northern Way Campus, 555 Great Northern Way, Vancouver. For more information and to register, please visit www.greenroof.bcit.ca or e-mail Jonathan_Hays@bcit.ca
GROW 0001 – Green Roofs – Concepts, Systems and Incentives (four hours)This workshop is an introduction to green roof systems, It will focus on green roof components, fundamentals, and the different green roof options. A benefit analysis of green roofs will be explored through a case study approach. The format will be an interactive two-hour lecture followed by a two-hour workshop where students will tour the Centre for Architectural Ecology, review products, and mock up a green roof assembly. It takes place Saturday, February 28, 2009.
4 Core LUs
GROW 1000 – Green Roofs – Details, Installation and Maintenance (18 hours)
This course has been developed for design professionals, contractors, and planners who already have a basic understanding of green roofs. Participants will be exposed to leading edge information on materials, design details, and implementation methods. It will also present solutions for the Pacific Northwest region supported by current research done at the Centre for Architectural Ecology. Through lectures and projects, students will apply practical hands-on knowledge to building green roofs. This course runs from Monday, March 2 to Monday, April 6, 2009.
18 Core LUs
GROW 2000 – Green Roofs – Planting in the Pacific Northwest (18 hours)
This course presents an excellent opportunity for those interested in understanding the role that green roofs can play in the conservation of biodiversity in urban environments. Course instructor Dr. Katherine Dunster, a registered landscape architect and professional biologist, is the author and illustrator of the award-winning Garry Oak Gardener's Handbook. Students will explore an ecological approach to plant selection and design for integration into current green roof design practices. They will also study in detail a range of plants available in regional ecosystems as well as some non-native plants used in the green roof industry. Through the preparation of a planting plan for an actual project, participants will practice the basic principles of plant design based on site conditions, plant function, species mix, berries, pollen, and habitat. This course runs from Wednesday, February 25 to Wednesday, April 1, 2009.
18 Core LUs
Integrating Social Dimensions into Sustainability
Sustainability has three dimensions: economic, ecological and social. However, the social dimension remains the poor relation. When denied, legitimate social issues can derail projects with even the most laudable environmental intentions. This includes “soft” issues such as race and ethnicity, class, culture, personal health, affordable housing, employment, individual identity and social cohesion. In this course, sustainability will be primarily viewed not as a product but rather as a process, where power and issues of social justice and equity are considered essential to successful outcomes. It takes place Friday and Saturday, March 13-14, 2009, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For more information or to register, please visit http://www.sfu.ca/city/course3popup.htm.
15 Non-core LUs
China and the Urbanism of Ambition
In this lecture, urbanist and author Thomas J. Campanella from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will explore multiple dimensions of this urban revolution. His presentation will probe its extraordinary physical and societal impacts as well as speculate on what 30 years of wholesale urbanization might mean for both China and the world. It takes place on Thursday, March 12, 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
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
Shifting Gears II: Lectures on Transportation, Health and the Built Environment
The following sessions are part of a series sponsored by the Bombardier Foundation, BC Recreation and Parks Association, Simon Fraser University City Program, and the Active Transport Lab at the University of British Columbia. More lectures are planned - details to come.
Active Transportation in Copenhagen
February 25, 7:00 p.m.Only in Copenhagen would the traffic director be educated as a landscape architect. Of course, in Copenhagen, “traffic” refers to bicycles as much as automobiles. Copenhagen Traffic Director Niels Tørsløv will show how his city plans and builds for children in order to encourage an active city, and how its transport policy focuses on cycling, climate change, health and urban liveability. It takes place on Wednesday, February 25, 7:00 p.m. at SFU Harbour Centre (Vancouver). Reservations are required: call (778) 782- 5100 or e-mail cstudies@sfu.ca.
2 Non-core LUs
Active Transportation in New York City
Janette Sadik-Khan, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation, has taken on the challenge of making New York more pedestrian-, bicycle- and transit-friendly while emphasizing public space and livable streets. This includes traffic-separated cycle tracks, bus-priority streets, pedestrian plazas, and the phenomenally successful “Summer Streets” which saw seven miles of Park Avenue opened to pedestrian and bicycle traffic only. This presentation takes place on Monday, March 16, 7:00 p.m. at SFU Harbour Centre (Vancouver). Reservations are required: call (778) 782- 5100 or e-mail cstudies@sfu.ca.2 Non-core LUs
Active Transportation in Portland
April 24, 7:00 p.m
Sam Adams, Mayor of PortlandAs the newly-elected mayor of Portland, Oregon, Sam Adams represents a city that encourages physical activity, especially with regard to transportation. In other words, a walking- and bike-friendly city, well served by transit, and that also addresses issues such as climate change and peak oil. As a Cascadian neighbour, he can speak to Portland’s special culture, its future plans, and the lessons that can be learned from the Portland experience. This event happens on Friday April 24, 7:00 p.m. at the University of British Columbia Robson Square, 800 Robson Street, Vancouver. Reservations are required: call (778) 782- 5100 or e-mail cstudies@sfu.ca.
2 Non-core LUs
BIM is the Future; The Future is Now, Be Prepared
Architects are well aware that Building Information Modeling (BIM) is changing the methods and practice of firms. But BIM only enhances the skills of a firm; it does not create them. In order to understand and embrace the potential of BIM, you have to know your core business, employ people who can fully leverage the power of BIM as a tool, and work with clients who are fully committed to its process and potential for their own benefit. Presenter Alan Hart MAIBC will share some of the lessons learned by VIA Architecture along its path toward virtual design. It takes place Thursday, March 19 at the Plaza 500 Hotel, 12th Avenue and Cambie in Vancouver. Breakfast is at 7:00 a.m., presentation at 8:00 a.m. Register online at www.csc-vancouver.ca.
1 Core LU
Wood Solutions Fair
The annual Wood Solutions Fair takes place Wednesday, March 18 at the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre. This year’s event offers a broad range of speakers and topics with presentations that will be both inspirational and educational. There will be presentations highlighting the use of wood in projects that include the Art Gallery of Ontario Transformation, B.C.’s own Richmond Olympic Oval, and the winners of the 2009 BC Wood Design Awards. A full day of programming has been organized for those wanting to learn more about the BC Building Code amendment permitting up to six storey wood construction,. Learn about the implications of the code change from architectural, code, fire and safety, development and structural perspectives, and then spend the afternoon hearing from architects and engineers who have built beyond four storey in other jurisdictions. Other topics include affordable housing, the cost effective use of wood in institutional buildings, timber construction, 3D modeling and building information management, trusses in the 21st Century, and designing with Western Red Cedar. A three-hour presentation on lateral design of wood will also be given by the engineering experts of the Canadian Wood Council. For a full program description, schedule and registration, please visit www.woodsolutionsfair.com.
6 Core LUs
Wine Cellar Seminar
The BC Wood Specialties Group invites AIBC registrants
to attend an informative seminar on British Columbia’s value-added
wood industry. It will focus on “How to Specify a Wine Cellar”,
including:
How to build a wine cellar envelope
Insulation and r-values
Finishing products
Flooring types
Wine cellar lighting and cooling
Best BC wood species for wine cellar construction
Why “green” products are best suited to wine cellars
The event will be hosted by BC Wood and Vin de Garde Cellar Systems, and will include a wine-and-cheese reception. It takes place Wednesday, February 25, 2009, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the Vin de Garde Wine Cellar Systems Showroom, Design Centre & Wine Tasting Room, 112 West 2nd Avenue, Vancouver. There is no charge for this event. However, space is limited so please r.s.v.p. in advance to Roy Manion at rmanion@bcwood.com.
1 Core LU
Expert Witness
At some point in your professional career you may be called upon to write an expert report or testify in a trial. Are you fully aware of what will be expected? This seminar will discuss the factors to consider before agreeing to deliver expert witness testimony, as well as the benefits and risks of doing so. It takes place February 26, 2009 in Vancouver. You can also participate via webcast. The session fee is $219.45. For more information, or to register, please visit http://www.apeg.bc.ca/prodev/events/expert_witness_dec08.html.
3 Non-core LUs
February 24 – March 19, 2009
Opening reception: Thursday, February 26, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
AIBC Gallery: #100 – 440 Cambie Street, Vancouver
Winning submissions from the 2008 IDIBC Awards of Excellence will be showcased at the AIBC Gallery from February 24 - March 19, 2009. The awards celebrate excellence and leadership in interior design and architecture. An opening reception will be held on Thursday, February 26 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Advance reservations are required. Please e-mail communications@aibc.ca to confirm your attendance.
VERICO Ellis Mortgages Canada is one of our newest partners in the AIBC’s Registrant Benefits Program (Club AIBC). EMC is one of the largest independent mortgage representatives in the country, and recipient of the “Mortgage Broker of the Year" award in 2007. Through Club AIBC, EMC is now offering both registrants and staff the benefit of its corporate mortgage discount program.
As part of the discussions to establish this relationship, the folks at EMC also offered to provide a free lunchtime information session for anyone who might be interested. We have taken them up on their offer.
The previously-announced information session has been rescheduled to Wednesday, March 11, 12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m. in the large boardroom. An EMC representative will be on hand to present an overview of their services, including mid-term interest rate reductions and home equity lines of credit. If you are thinking about taking out a new mortgage, or wondering how to restructure your existing one, you might find this very beneficial. Lunch will be provided.
If you are planning to attend, please confirm in advance to Ama Joppa (amaj@emcmortgages.ca).
The RAIC is seeking an architect who is interested in a full-time position to coordinate practice support services at the national offices of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada. Submit your applications to Jon Hobbs, FRAIC, before March 12, 2009 at 4:00 p.m.
Click here to view the position description
As of January 1, 2009, there are new Energy Efficiency Standards regulations in effect for windows manufactured after that date and sold British Columbia. This includes vinyl-framed windows installed in low-rise buildings (residential buildings of four storeys or less as well as non-residential buildings with less than 600m2 floor space) which are subject to the standard of 2.0 W/m2/K. These now require a permanent label from a Standards Council of Canada or National Fenestration Rating Council recognized testing organization. Wood-framed windows will be exempt from the new regulations until January 1, 2011. To view the new regulations, click here.
The provincial government has announced new BC Building Code provisions that increase the maximum allowable building height for mid-rise wood-frame residential construction from four to six storeys. These new code provisions will take effect on April 6. An online public consultation on these changes closed on December 15, 2008. In finalizing the changes to the new code requirements, the province considered feedback received from various building industry stakeholders, including a detailed submission from the AIBC which identified several areas of concern, most notably respecting implementation strategy, timing and prerequisites. The AIBC will be reviewing and reporting on the final code provisions in light of the concerns previously identified. To view the new BC Building Code provisions, go to http://www.housing.gov.bc.ca/building/wood_frame/
To view the National Code Change proposal for B3 occupancies, please see the following links:
http://www.nationalcodes.ca/publicreview/2008/indices/Subject_NBC_Residential%20Care%20Occupancies_e.shtml
http://www.housing.gov.bc.ca/building/national_code.htm
Michael A. Ernest MAIBC
Director of Professional Practice
The Italian Cultural Institute, in conjunction with the Architectural Institute of British Columbia, has invited Livio Sacchi, architect and professor at the School of Architecture - University of Chieti and Pescara, to present a lecture entitled "Cities and Architecture: Looking Ahead". This lecture will focus on an ambitious excursus of the urban situation in light of contemporary architecture. The objective of this presentation is to examine the directions in which architecture is currently moving. Professor Sacchi is also president of the prestigious Roman division of the Italian National Institute of Architects, Counselor of the Roman Association of Architects, and editor of the journal Architecture, Urban Planning and Design. At a time when it seems we exist in the eternal presence of techno-science, Professor Sacchi will attempt to seek out “the new” - in contraposition to “the past” - without oversimplifying the research. In doing so, he will embrace factors such as originality, singularity, the bizarre and the unpredictable. This lecture will be given in English and supported by visuals. It takes place on Thursday, March 12, 6:00 p.m. at the Italian Cultural Institute, #500 - 510 West Hastings Street, Vancouver.
1.5 Core LU's
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 recent provincial regulatory change regarding six-storey wood-frame buildings brings both a range of opportunities and a myriad of questions. The Urban Development Institute invites you to its February Breakfast Seminar where you will find out the latest information, requirements and future viability of these projects. Dana Westermark of Oris Consulting will moderate an expert panel that includes Shelley Craig MAIBC of Urban Arts Architecture; Craig Crawford of BC Housing; Andrew Harmsworth of GHL Consultants; Grant Newfield of RJC Consulting Engineers; and Gordon Smith of BTY Group. It takes place on Tuesday, February 24 at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Vancouver. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. with the presentation running from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. To register, visit www.udi.bc.ca or call (604) 689-8691. Click here to download the online registration form.
The City of Vancouver invites you to join Artscape for an engaging workshop on cultural space development. Creative Spacemaking brings together top practitioners for a comprehensive learning experience that demystifies the complexity of cultural space development, connects participants with similar-minded practitioners, and highlights innovative partnerships that have successfully anchored creative communities within sustainable and affordable spaces. This two-day workshop offers leading advice, tools and a chance to meet the experts during interactive sessions on topics ranging from project planning to feasibility analysis, capital fundraising and governance models. Confirmed speakers include Janis A. Barlow, Principal Consultant - Janis A. Barlow & Associates; Billie Bridgman, Senior Associate – Artscape; Tim Jones, CEO – Artscape; and Joe Lobko, Partner - du Toit Architects Limited, Toronto. It takes place Monday and Tuesday, March 9-10 at Simon Fraser University Vancouver (Harbour Centre), 515 West Hastings Street. Visit www.vancouver.ca/creativecity for workshop program descriptions, registration and bursary information.
The 2009 BC Land Summit takes place in Whistler, B.C. from May 20-22, 2009. The 2009 program, with a theme of “A Better Future: Adapting to Change”, will feature content from a wide variety of fields including planning and land use, landscape architecture, land conservation, agriculture, real estate and land valuation, urban design, and more. It provides an ideal opportunity to learn how other professions view current and emerging land use issues, meet practitioners of other land use professions, develop interdisciplinary opportunities, create more productive working relationships. Visit http://www.bclandsummit.com/register/index.html for more information and to register. Register by March 16 to take advantage of early bird rates. For those interested in sponsoring a program, go to http://www.bclandsummit.com/sponsors/become.html or contact the offices of the British Columbia Society of Landscape Architects.
104 – AutoCAD Revit Architecture
2009 Essentials
March 16 – 18, 2009
In this introduction to Revit Architecture, Pacific Alliance leverages its extensive implementation experience to help users become capable with the software as quickly and seamlessly as possible. The first day will consist of an overview of the software and introduction to key terms and concepts. The second and third days will cover conceptual design with massing, the use of Revit's wide range of components, and project setup strategy. Students will learn both modeling and the documentation capabilities of Revit through extensive use of walls, editing functions, dimensioning and annotation. The utilization of Revit's method of detailing will also be covered. By the end of the three days, participants will have the skills to work on a real world project in Revit from building design through construction documentation.
105 - Revit Architecture 2009 Advanced
February 22 – 24, 2009
Students will learn a wide range of advanced topics in Revit Architecture 2009, building on the concepts introduced in Revit Architecture Essentials 2009. Content includes site design, advanced rendering techniques, phasing and design options, creating families of custom components, and collaborating on a design. This two-day course offers both imperial and metric hands-on exercises representing real-world design scenarios.
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 programme and registration form.
Team North, a group of students and faculty from the University of Waterloo, Ryerson University and Simon Fraser University that has conceptualized an advanced solar-powered home, is holding receptions this week in Cambridge and Toronto to launch the next phase of the project. North House, a marketable solar-powered home for people with active lifestyles, is one of only two Canadian entries selected to participate in the prestigious 2009 Solar Decathlon competition sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The competition, which takes place October 9-18, 2009 in Washington, D.C., will feature prototype solar homes developed by 20 university teams from around the world. Each team will build a full-scale version of their house to compete in 10 categories measuring quality and performance. North House features a combination of green building, solar and interactive technologies designed to reduce energy demand, foster a conservation ethic, and boost the quality of life for Canadians. For more information on Team North and North House, please visit www.team-north.com.
AIBC registrants are invited to attend the upcoming B.C. Art Salon at Le Gavroche Restaurant on Sunday, February 22, 2009. This event provides an opportunity to view a large range of British Columbia art in a comfortable, heritage setting. In the manner of early Vancouver salons, Le Gavroche will be opening its doors for you to come in, enjoy the art, partake of refreshments, and mingle with fellow art lovers. The salon will feature a collection of recent work by Gary Sim AT.AIBC, as well as a wide selection several Canadian artists including B.C. Binning, Bill Reid, Jack Shadbolt and W.P. Weston. The preview begins at 10:00 a.m., auction from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. All lots are available for immediate purchase until the auction begins. Advance registration is encouraged, and absentee/advance bids are welcome. Le Gavroche is located at 1616 Alberni Street, Vancouver. For more information, go to www.sim-publishing.com\artsalon. Those interested in registering absentee bids can do so by e-mailing artsalon@sim-publishing.com.
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.
AIBC registrants are invited to take part in the 2009 British Columbia Real Estate Convention, February 26 – 27, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre. This annual convention is a unique tradeshow created for both the public and professionals alike – anyone interested or engaged in investing in residential or commercial real estate. It brings together a range of different enterprises including developers, realtors, municipalities, financial institutions, insurance agencies, associations and many others involved in the real estate industry. It also includes four speakers daily, addressing timely topics impacting the real estate market. Note: admission to both the trade show and seminars is free. For detailed information, visit www.bcrealestateconvention.com.
The Future of the Region Sustainability Dialogues and Sustainability Community Breakfasts are outreach components of Metro Vancouver’s Sustainable Region Initiative (SRI). They involve a series of high-profile debates and discussions intended to help decision makers shape the future of the region by presenting a range of views and stimulating fresh thought on regional issues such as housing, industry, labour and immigration, drugs and crime, regional economy, transportation, energy and agriculture. Additional information can be found at: http://www.metrovancouver.org/region/calendar/Event%20Attachments/ColonyFarmSustainabilityPlan.pdf.
Topic: Sustainable Tourism – A Special Two-Part Series
Wednesday, April 22
7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
British Columbia Institute of Technology Downtown Campus, 555 Seymour
Street, Vancouver
The B.C. tourism sector is striving to create a world-class sustainable tourist industry, and visitors are looking for “green” experiences. But what really constitutes sustainable tourism and how do we get there? This two-part series looks at the evolution of sustainable tourism and exciting initiatives underway in B.C. Featured presenters: John Willow, Director - Tourism Development Branch, Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Arts; and Dr. Peter Williams, Director - Centre for Tourism Policy & Research, Simon Fraser University.
To register, go to http://www.metrovancouver.org/region/breakfasts/Pages/registration.aspx.
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.
Monday February 23, 2009
Statistics Canada invites you to attend Diversity Matters, a one-day conference featuring a panel of high-profile experts who will explore the changes, trends and implications of ethno-cultural diversity and immigration for Canada, British Columbia and Metro Vancouver. Presentation topics include: 2006 census highlights; profiles of main ethnic communities in B.C.; the changing diversity composition of the population across sub-provincial regions within B.C.; immigrants and the economy of Metro Vancouver; and implications for diversity and future projections. The keynote speaker will be the Honourable Wally Oppal, B.C. Attorney General and Minster Responsible for Multiculturalism. For more information, please visit the conference website: www.diversitymattersconference.ca.
The University of British Columbia and the British Columbia Construction Roundtable are pleased to host a Risk Management Workshop for Capital Projects. It takes place Thursday – Friday, March 19-20 at the University Golf Club in Vancouver. This two-day workshop will focus on risk identification, quantification, and response or mitigation, including a hands-on risk identification session in which attendees will develop a risk profile for an elevated transit guideway case study project. Also featured will be the viewpoints of seasoned professionals on cost, legal and insurance matters. Featured speakers include Lawrence Bicknell (Jardine Lloyd Thompson Canada), Dr. Scott Dunbar (Professor - University of British Columbia), and David Pirie, President of Strait Crossing Development Inc. A highlight of the workshop will be the 20+ year risk management story line of the Confederation Bridge from the viewpoint of Pirie, whose company oversaw the project’s development. This workshop is suited to those in the public and private sectors who are charged with identifying project risks, assessing their relative importance, and allocating them to the most appropriate project participant. The registration fee is $995. Register online at http://www.bccr.net/upcoming_events.html. For additional information, email Jeannie Bates at jeannie_bates@telus.net.
Save the date for the 2009 Kwantlen Polytechnic University Design Students' Grad Showcase: April 22, 2009 in the AIBC Gallery. For the complete invitation, click here.
The Fresh Outlook Foundation is hosting its third annual Building SustainAble Communities conference from February 24 to 26, 2009 at Kelowna's Delta Grand Okanagan Resort. More than 100 speakers from the public, private, non-profit and academic sectors will address a range of topics including sustainable agriculture, sustainable business, and community sustainability. To register online, click here. For more information, go to www.freshoutlookfoundation.org.
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2009 YWCA Women of Distinction Awards. These awards honour, encourage and recognize women whose outstanding activities and achievements contribute to the health and future of the community, as well as businesses and organizations that support the diverse needs of their employees. The categories, which include several that are applicable to AIBC members, include:
Arts, Culture & Design
Business & the Professions
Community Building
Education, Training & Development
Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Health & Active Living
Non-Profit & Public Service
Technology, Science & Industry
Young Woman of Distinction
Nominations details and packages are available online at http://www.ywcavan.org/content/Nomination_Details/395/30/201. The deadline for entries is 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 17, 2009. This year’s final nominees and recipients will be honoured at a reception and dinner at the Westin Bayshore Vancouver on Wednesday, June 3, 2009.
The B.C. Ready-Mixed Concrete Association (BCRMCA) is pleased to announce the call for entries in its 4th Annual Awards for Excellence in Concrete Construction (the CONNIEs). The awards honour the vision and creativity of owners, architects, engineers and contractors who are designing and constructing some of the most creative and innovative concrete projects in the province. A panel of industry experts will judge seven award categories with criteria reflecting the realities of the construction business today, including architectural creativity, complexity of engineering design, sustainability, functionality and innovation. To view the Call for Entries and judging criteria, please visit www.bcrmca.ca/awards. For further information, contact Executive Director Carolyn Campbell at (604) 626-4141.
World Architecture News is pleased to announce the launch of the inaugural WAN Education Sector Award 2009. Following on the success of the third WAN House of the Year Award in 2008, the WAN Education Award is a major international competition that will be judged by a top level panel. Entries will be judged on a number of factors including originality, innovation, form and special quality, sustainability and context. The two areas that will carry the most weight are: how your design addressed the key elements of the brief; and specific examples of how your building has enhanced the education process. If you have designed an educational facility (school, university, college or academy) that has been completed during the last three years, you are invited to submit your entry online. The deadline for entries is February 28, 2009. For more information and to enter, go to http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.educationdetails.
Congratulations to the following AIBC firms who were amongst those honoured in the Interior Designers Institute of British Columbia Awards for 2008.
Category: Multi Residential
mcfarlane | green | biggar Architecture + Design Inc.
Category: Workplace
Partial Busby Perkins + Will Architects, Co.
Omicron Architecture Engineering Construction Ltd.
Stantec Architecture Ltd.
Category: Workplace Total
Kasian Architecture Interior Design and Planning Ltd.
Category: Healthcare & Personal Services
Matthew Soules Architecture Inc.
Stantec Architecture Ltd.
Category: Retail
Besharat Friars Architects
Busby Perkins + Will Architects, Co.
mcfarlane | green | biggar Architecture + Design Inc.
Omicron Architecture Engineering Construction Ltd.
Stantec Architecture Ltd. (twice)
Category: Educational / Institutional Spaces
Kasian Architecture Interior Design and Planning Ltd.
TRB Architecture Inc. / Alfred Waugh Architect
Stantec Architecture Ltd.
Category: Hospitality Besharat Friars Architects
Stantec Architecture Ltd. (twice)
Congratulations to Oberto Oberti Architecture & Urban Design Inc. of Vancouver, chosen as a recipient in the 24th Annual Heritage Winnipeg Preservation Awards. The awards program recognizes those who have shown dedication to the protection, restoration and conservation of Winnipeg's built heritage. The B.C. firm was selected for its work in restoring a historic property that houses Birks jewelry store in Winnipeg’s downtown.
By Christopher Hume, Toronto Star
Friday, February 20, 2009
It was fun while it lasted. Even before the last stragglers leave and the party ends, it's clear Toronto will never be the same. A decade and more of prosperity has forever changed the face of the city. In addition to the now usual clusters of new condo towers, Toronto took advantage of the good times to rebuild much of its infrastructure, cultural and institutional. More …
By Richard Waite, The Architects’
Journal
Friday, February 20, 2009
The architecture profession has been savaged by the recession and there is widespread fear of worse to come, the AJ's State of the Profession survey has revealed. The results came in as fears of deflation mounted this week and Bank of England governor Mervyn King predicted the worst peacetime recession since 1931. The survey's shocking findings show that more than 65 per cent of practices have seen workloads drop and half have laid off staff. At least 13 practices admitted to shedding over 50 employees. The revelations come just days after Foster + Partners announced it was letting up to 400 staff go due to the economic downturn. More …
By Bruce Buckley, Architectural Record
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
With government projects getting a boost through the economic stimulus package while many private sector plans remain in limbo, the playing field for finding new work is quickly changing. As federally funded projects begin to ramp up quickly, firms with little to no experience in public sector work are eyeing opportunities to get in the game. But landing public contracts can be a challenge for the uninitiated without smart strategies. “Essentially, you’re in the game or not in the game,” says Gerald Hines, a Maryland-based architect and chair of the Public Architects Committee for the American Institute of Architects (AIA). “If you’re not, that’s a problem. It can be very frustrating and a lot of people give up. But if you do your homework and make smart decisions, you can get in and find it very valuable.” More …
By Christopher Hume, Toronto Star
Friday, February 13, 2009
Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario and Toronto's other mayor, has clearly had enough. And who can blame him? His announcement this week that the province will limit the endless NIMBY wrangling that accompanies its every attempt to introduce environmental measures is great news for this city, not to mention the province and country. Shedding his image as the designated Nice Guy of Confederation, McGuinty has started not only to talk tough but also to swing that big legislative stick. "We're going to say to Ontarians that it's okay to object on the basis of safety issues and environmental standards," he told reporters Tuesday. "But don't say, `I don't want it around here.'... NIMBYism will no longer prevail." More …
By Wendy Stueck, Globe and Mail
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Gregory Henriquez is a Vancouver architect and author of Towards an Ethical Architecture. He designed the Woodward's building, a mixed-income development in the Downtown Eastside. The project is a bold experiment: When it opens later this year, the development will see wealthy condo dwellers living cheek by jowl with the poor, who occupy 200 subsidized units. More …
By Adrian Sainz, Denver Post
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Picture a neighborhood where doors can be left unlocked, where 20 families gather to eat in a common home twice a week, where solar panels help heat homes, where everyone relies on one another and determines the fate of the community together. Sound like an Amish farm? Actually, this is life in more than 100 cohousing communities from Massachusetts to Washington state, places to live where neighborliness and environmental sustainability trump isolationism and consumption. More …
Architectural Institute of British Columbia
100 - 440 Cambie Street
Vancouver, BC V6B 2N5
Tel: (604) 683-8588 toll free in BC 1-800-667-0753
Fax: (604) 683-8568 or toll free in BC 1-800-661-2955
info@aibc.ca
for staff contacts click here
