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Please note that the deadline for the Continuing Education System reporting period was June 30, 2010.
As of July 1, 2010, all self-reporting of learning activities must be reported online. More...

 

Continuing Education Annual Deadline

The end of the Continuing Education System reporting period was June 30, 2010. Architects, building designers, residential designers and architectural technologists with a registration date prior to July 1, 2009 were required to report 18 learning units by the end of June, of which at least eight were core learning units.

Thanks to all who have diligently reported their learning activities; it is expected that the high rate of compliance in previous reporting periods will continue. The Professional Development department is currently working on reviewing the high volume of submissions that inevitably arrive at the end of the reporting period. Final transcripts will be mailed out in August. Registrants who are not compliant with the requirements of the Continuing Education System are subject to a $750 fine.

As of July 1, 2010, all self-reports of learning activities must be reported online. If you need any assistance with online reporting, please contact Professional Development Coordinator Catherine Bolter (cbolter@aibc.ca) or Professional Development Coordinator Aleta Cho (acho@aibc.ca).

AIBC Summer Hours

Please note that the AIBC will be on summer hours during the months of July and August. Office hours are Monday to Thursday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Regular hours will resume in September.

Architectural Walking and Biking Tours

This summer, discover the architectural details of B.C.'s two urban centres through the AIBC Architectural Walking Tours. Six scenic tours are available in both Vancouver and Victoria from July 2 - August 28, 2010. Tours begin at 1:00 p.m. daily (except Sundays and Mondays). The cost is $5 (Victoria) and $10 (Vancouver) per tour. In addition, a Victoria architectural bike tour, organized by the Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition and the AIBC, will be offered on Sunday, July 11. The tour, with a suggested donation of $5, departs from Centennial Square at 10:00 a.m. For detailed tour descriptions and schedules, click here. Further information, including details on group tour arrangements, is available by calling (604) 683-8588 ext. 333 or by e-mailing tours@aibc.ca.

2010/2011 AIBC Council Meetings

AIBC council meets throughout the year, and AIBC registrants as well as members of the public are always welcome to attend. Advance r.s.v.p. required; please confirm your attendance by e-mailing Executive Assistant Katherine Rau at krau@aibc.ca.

Click here for a complete listing of 2010 / 2011 AIBC council members.

Click here to see the schedule for 2010 / 2011 council meetings.

 

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.

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

courselistings

The AIBC 2009 PD/CES Course Schedule and Registration Form are available online at www.aibc.ca/member_resources/professional_dev/index.html


BC Hydro Power Smart Forum

BC Hydro’s annual Power Smart Forum takes place October 25-27 at the Vancouver Convention Centre. The theme of this year’s forum, B.C.’s leading energy conservation conference, is Building the Green Economy. New to this year’s program is the opportunity to also attend BC Hydro’s Power Smart Excellence Awards on the evening of October 25. This year, the forum will feature internationally renowned speaker Dr. Thomas Homer-Dixon as well as prominent B.C. business leaders including Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts, BC Business Council CEO Virginia Greene, and Jonathan Rhone, President and CEO of Nexterra Systems. As in previous years, AIBC members have the opportunity to earn learning units for attending sessions. Registration opens August 19. Please visit www.bchydro.com/forum for more information.

Non-core and Core LUs Available

SFU City Program

A Field Guide to Transit Debates
As transit becomes more popular, many cities are having intense and often bitter quarrels about what kind of transit to build or operate. This timely session features Jarrett Walker, a consultant specializing in transit network design and policy with 20 years experience on four continents. Currently, he is a principal consultant for McCormick Rankin Cagney, based in Sydney, Australia. Working from 20 years of experience as a transit planning consultant, Walker will examine some of the most common confusions that affect debate about transit, and that often lead to disappointing outcomes. He will also suggest strategies for clarifying transit debates, by recognizing the unavoidable “hard choices” that arise from transit’s intrinsic geometry and costs. It happens Wednesday, August 4, 7:00 p.m. at SFU Harbour Centre, 515 West Hastings Street, Vancouver. Admission is free; reservations are required. Reserve at www.sfu.ca/reserve.

2 Non-core LUs

 

Urban Design Certificate
The award-winning Urban Design Certificate Program at Simon Fraser University is a part-time, interdisciplinary, mid-career professional development program designed for working professionals from diverse backgrounds. Courses are taught by leading urban design practitioners in two- and three-day intensive courses in Vancouver as well as Alberta. Participants will complete six core courses and two electives.

Core courses:

Spring

1. UD: Theory and Practice
2. UD: Visual Communication
3. UD: Economic Fundamentals
4. UD: Studio I (Analytic Tools)
5. UD: Ecological Planning and Sustainable Design
6. UD: Studio II (Synthesis of Urban Form)

Electives:

Spring

1. UD: Alternative Development Approaches
2. UD: Designing Integrated Neighbourhoods
3. UD: Implementation Methods
4. UD: Planning for Transportation and Accessibility
5. UD: Public Realm
6. UD: Urban Revitalization

For details or to register, please visit http://www.sfu.ca/city/udc.htm by July 16, 2010.

 

Sustainable Community Development Certificate
The Sustainable Community Development Certificate is designed to give participants the most current and practical information on sustainable development. Courses are taught by experienced consultants and instructors in the field. This flexible program, offered by the SFU City Program and the Centre for Sustainable Community Development, is comprised of eight two- and three-day intensive courses over 10-18 months.

Core courses:

Spring

1. Foundation in Sustainable Community Development
2. Applications in Sustainable Community Development
3. Sustainable Economics for the Real World
4. Making Change Happen: Building Commitment to Create Sustainability
5. Integrating Social Dimensions into Sustainability
6. Sustainable Community Development Studio

Electives:

Spring

1. Strategic Decision-Making for Sustainable Results
2. Communicating Sustainability for Awareness, Accountability, and Action
3. Urban Transportation: Planning and Designing for Sustainability
4. Leading Edge Solutions to House Everyone
5. Tackling Climate Change - Going Carbon Neutral and Beyond
6. Green Economy Frontiers and Opportunities

For details, or to register, please visit http://www.sfu.ca/city/scd-sustain.htm.

The Urban Design Certificate and Sustainable Community Development Certificate are part of SFU’s certification programs for md-career professionals. All courses qualify for non-core learning units. The application deadline is July 16, 2010.

Heritage Vancouver

Walking Tour – From Sawmill to Strathcona: An East End History Tour
The neighbourhood today known as Strathcona was home to many of Vancouver’s first ethnic communities. Strathcona-based house history researcher and neighbourhood heritage activist James Johnstone has spent the last decade researching the history of over 700 Vancouver houses, 250 of which are in his East End neighbourhood. Join Heritage Vancouver on a stroll through the streets and alleys of Vancouver’s first neighbourhood as James shares some of the many fascinating stories he has uncovered about the people who built and lived there. It takes place Saturday, July 10, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Meet in front of The Heatley Block (696 East Hastings Street, corner Heatley). The cost is $15 or $10 for Heritage Vancouver members. Payments can be made online via Paypal (http://www.heritagevancouver.org/payments.html#strathcona) or by cheque (please mail to Heritage Vancouver, PO Box 3336, Main Post Office, Vancouver, BC, V6B 3Y3). To hold your spot, please e-mail info@heritagevancouver.org indicating that a cheque has been mailed).

2 Non-core LUs

BC Wood

2010 PNE Show Home Tour
BC Wood is pleased to partner with Woodtone in presenting a private showing and tour of the 2010 Pacific National Exhibition show home prior to its public opening. This event showcases the most environmentally sustainable exterior cladding material on the market: wood. Woodtone is the supplier of the entire exterior package for the PNE show home, which uses manufactured wood sourced from the pine beetle-infested forests of British Columbia. Through this tour, attendees will learn about:

  • The numerous ways wood from B.C.’s Mountain Pine Beatle-infested forests can be utilized for cladding; trim & fascia; engineered corners; and soffits for porch areas;
  • The 25 year warranty on factory coatings on exterior products used on the show home; and
  • How wood, if finished and applied correctly, can be low maintenance.

It takes place Thursday, July 22, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. Please r.s.v.p. to Jason Nickel by e-mail (jasonn@woodtone.com) or telephone (604) 888-3167.

1 Non-core LU

 

Global Buyers Mission 2010
BC Wood is pleased to announce its seventh annual Global Buyers Mission (GBM), to be held at Whistler Village from September 9 - 11, 2010. GBM 2010 is an excellent opportunity for architects and designers to learn and connect with producers of world-class wood products from B.C. and the rest of Canada. Building on the success of last year’s event, GBM 2010 offers a complete architect and designer program including the chance to learn up to eight core learning units through seminars given by industry leaders and site-visits to some of Whistler’s architectural marvels. Participants also have the opportunity to meet with close to 100 exhibitors from the value-added wood industry, along with social and networking events with domestic and international colleagues. Due to funding cutbacks, there will be a $300 fee this year, which covers two nights’ accommodation at one of Whistler’s luxury hotels, two major social / networking events, meals, and a return transfer from downtown Vancouver or the Vancouver International Airport (details available upon request). For more information, please contact Roy Manion by phone (604-882-7100) or e-mail (rmanion@bcwood.com). Information is also available online at www.bcwood.com.

Canadian Wood Council / Wood WORKS! BC

Webinar: The Wood First Act in B.C.
Do you have questions about the new Wood First Act in B.C.? The act, which received royal assent on October 29, 2009, requires provincially-funded projects to use wood as the primary construction material where appropriate and within the BC Building Code. Wood WORKS! BC has been asked to assist communities with the Wood First Act's “build with wood” requirements, and is pleased to present this webinar designed to provide answers and practical information. It features Werner Hofstatter, Wood WORKS! BC Wood First Advisor who recently served as the Director of the Ministry of Forest & Range's Wood First Initiative, along with Wood WORKS! BC technical advisors Peter Moonen and Bill Billups. The webinar is available online beginning Tuesday, June 15 at 9:30 a.m. Go to www.WoodFirstAct.Info.

1 Core LU

IMAGINiT Technologies

Revit Architecture 2011 BIM Management
Revit Architecture is a powerful Building Information Modeling (BIM) program that supports the ability to coordinate, update, and share design data with team members throughout the design, construction, and management phases. The objective of the Revit Architecture 2011 BIM Management course is to enable students who have worked with Revit to expand their knowledge in setting up office standards. Specific topics include setting up templates with annotation styles, preset views, sheets and schedules, as well as custom element types and families. By creating standard templates and custom elements, a key component in the BIM process is to establish a company foundation for different types of projects. Doing so ensures that new projects flow smoothly and efficiently. The length of this training session is one day. Please contact Kam Seignarack of IMAGINiT Technologies for more information at 604-207-2114 or by e-mail kseignarack@rand.com.

6.5 Core LUs


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: 2010 Annual AIBC Architectural Awards

May 17 – July 9, 2010
AIBC Gallery: #100 – 440 Cambie Street, Vancouver

Winners and other submissions for the 2010 Annual AIBC Architectural Awards are currently on display at the AIBC Gallery. This year represented another record-breaking number of submissions across four award categories: The Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia Awards in Architecture; The AIBC Innovation Award; The AIBC Special Jury Award; and the AIBC Emerging Firm Award. 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 project submissions.

Upcoming Exhibit: Prefab 20*20: Visions for 400 Square Foot Homes

July 19 – August 23, 2010
AIBC Gallery: #100 – 440 Cambie Street, Vancouver

This exhibit showcases submissions from Prefab 20*20, a recent international open ideas competition. The competition challenged designers to propose free-standing, prefabricated dwelling units covering a footprint of no more than 400 square feet (37.5sm) in an urban setting anywhere in the world. Each unit was required to accommodate two adults, with room for sleeping, bathing, cooking, working, studying and storage. A total of 285 teams from 149 cities and 26 countries responded to the call. This exhibit will feature the winner, two runners-up, four honorable mentions, shortlisted and local entries. Prefab 20*20 was organized by Architecture for Humanity Vancouver, the Architectural Institute of British Columbia, and Interior Design Show West. It was sponsored by Azure Magazine. The exhibit will also include samples from the recent Architecture for Humanity “Quickhomes Superchallenge,” featuring immediate Vancouver housing design proposals integrating prefabricated and modular structure design. The AIBC Gallery is free and open to the public Monday to Thursday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Friday 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

clubaibc

Ellis Mortgages Canada: Client Appreciation Contest

Ellis Mortgages Canada is currently holding a client appreciation contest. Anyone who contacts EMC by mail, phone, e-mail or in person to obtain a mortgage will be automatically entered in the contest if the mortgage transaction occurs and closes between May 18 and July 30, 2010. The client will then be e-mailed a link to the complete rules and regulations of the contest. There is a total of one (1) prize available to be won. The grand prize will consist of a 40” Sony Bravia 1080 LCD HDTV (approximate retail value: $850 CAD).All entries must be received by July 30, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. For more information, please visit http://www.emcmortgages.ca/clientappreciationdraw.htm.

Green Dream Home Demonstration

The Green Dream Home, an energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly home in Kamloops, has reached the demonstration phase. The project is the first of two Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) EQuilibrium™ Housing Initiative demonstration homes in B.C. to be completed and opened for public tours, and the eighth to open across Canada. The home was built by Canadian Home Builders’ Association Central Interior and Thompson Rivers University as part of an initiative to encourage builders and developers to build the next generation of sustainable housing. The Green Dream Home combines state-of-the-art energy-efficient design and construction techniques with renewable energy production.

New RAIC ED

The Royal Architecture Institute of Canada has announced the appointment of Jim McKee at the RAIC’s new executive director, effective July 19, 2010. McKee previously headed the Coalition for Cultural Diversity, involved in mobilizing cultural organizations in Canada and elsewhere in support of the UNESCO Convention on the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. He has also previously worked for the Writers Guild of Canada, Transport Canada, First City Trust and Deloitte & Touche. He replaces Jon Hobbs, who had held the position since 2001.

Ride-Share Week 2010

The fourth annual Ride-Share Week takes place October 4-8, 2010. For the first time, this annual week of promotion and participation in ridesharing will be expanding province-wide. Organized by the Jack Bell Ride-Share Foundation, this event is designed to promote and raise awareness for active, sustainable transportation. Using the Jack Bell Ride-Share database (https://online.ride-share.com/en/my/), individuals and businesses can sign up to match journeys and start enjoying greener commutes. RSW Coordinators will receive a “Green Zebra Guide”, a local savings book for sustainable living. Promotional materials will be provided in mid-August, and prizes will be awarded to ride sharers, including a round trip for two to Edmonton on Via Rail’s *The Canadian*. For more information, contact Rae-Anne LaPlante at rae-anne@ride-share.com or (604) 879-RIDE (7433).

Urban Land Institute BC: Young Leaders Cascadia Conference

This summer, the Urban Land Institute presents a young leaders conference featuring an opening address by Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson. Titled Vancouver, Seattle and Portland: City and Regional Identities, this conference brings together ULI young leaders and high profile mentors for each of these respective cities, in an effort to explore how Cascadia respective identities differ and overlap. It takes place July 16 - 17 at the Terminal City Club's Metropolitan Ballroom (837 West Hastings Street, Vancouver). The cost is $85 USD for ULI Young Leader Members and $100 USD for non-members. To register, please visit http://britishcolumbia.uli.org/. For more information, please contact Regional Coordinator Jeannie Bates at e-mail jeannie.bates@uli.org or telephone (604) 761-8060.

Hotdogs for Heritage

This summer, The Vancouver Heritage Foundation is hosting its second annual Hotdogs for Heritage fundraiser. The event features a unique salvage sale with items from a selection of Vancouver buildings including the Hotel Georgia, the original downtown Woodward’s, the Marine Building and much more. Admission is by donation with a suggested minimum donation of $10 per person or $25 per family. It takes place Sunday, July 11, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 5026 Connaught Drive, Vancouver. For more information call (604) 264-9642.

SustainaBUILD Conference

Mark your calendar for the 2010 Vancouver SustainaBUILD Conference this fall. The conference program features innovative content, ideas and cutting edge technologies related to sustainable development and green design. It takes place November 23 at Vancouver's Westin Bayshore Hotel. Early bird rates of $275 + HST will available from late summer through to November 2. For more information and to register, visit the conference web site at http://www.sustainabuild.com/vancouver/index.htm. Questions can be directed to Gillian Wright by e-mail (gwright@mmart.com) or telephone (604.739.2112 ext. 192058.)

Edifice: Exploring Art, Archives and Architecture

Edifice: Exploring Art, Archives and Architecture, an exhibition that presents 10 new paintings of downtown Vancouver buildings done in realist style by Graham Winter, will be featured at the newly refurbished City of Vancouver Archives Gallery from June 2 - August 26, 2010. The exhibition, the first of its kind in Vancouver, is designed as a multi-faceted exploration of the early- to mid-20th Century downtown Vancouver buildings that represent the “modern” of the artist’s childhood. It will also include a video wall of digitized archival photos and records of the buildings and the period in which they were built. The City of Vancouver Archives Gallery is located at 1150 Chestnut Street. For more information, please visit www.vancouver.ca/archives.

Sustainable Region Initiative

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. For more information, visit: http://www.metrovancouver.org/region/breakfasts/Pages/default.aspx.

Public Meeting: How Should we Manage our Waste?

Metro Vancouver is consulting on a new Draft Integrated Solid Waste and Resource Management Plan to guide the management of solid waste in an affordable and environmentally responsible way. A public meeting will take place Wednesday, July 14, 2010 at Metro Vancouver's 2nd floor boardroom (4330 Kingsway, Burnaby). Registration begins at 6:30 p.m. and the public meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. Those wishing to speak (five minutes per speaker) must register at the front desk. Written submissions are encouraged, and will be acknowledged. Issues raised in correspondence and at the final public meeting will be addressed prior to submission of the final plan to the B.C. Minister of Environment for approval. This is the final public meeting and opportunity to comment on the draft plan; the Metro Vancouver Board and Committees will not be accepting delegations on this matter after this date. Send your comments by July 14, 2010 to Lois E. Jackson, Chair, Metro Vancouver and Greg Moore, Chair, Metro Vancouver Waste Management Committee by e-mail (icentre@metrovancouver.org), fax (604 432-6297), or mail: Metro Vancouver, Public Involvement Division, 4330 Kingsway, Burnaby B.C. V5H 4G8. For more information visit: www.metrovancouver.org.

IDSwest 2010

Mark your calendars for the next Interior Design Show West, October 14-17, 2010 at the Vancouver Convention Centre. IDSwest is Western Canada’s premiere annual residential design show featuring 200 exhibitors showcasing quality products and services to an audience of architects, designers, industry professionals, consumers and media. New program highlights this year include Future Masters, a showcase of young design talents and local design institutions; and Spare the Change, a design challenge with a $2 budget. For detailed information including speakers, exhibitors and schedule, keep an eye on the event web site at http://www.idswest.com/index.php.

Building SustainABLE Communities Conference

The Building SustainABLE Communities Conference, hosted by The Fresh Outlook Foundation, takes place in Kelowna from November 16 to 18, 2010. Speakers include:

  • 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.
  • 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.

For more information, including program and registration details, please visit www.freshoutlookfoundation.org.

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 at http://www.ip.uqam.ca/.

awards

Greater Vancouver Commercial Building Awards

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver is hosting its first ever Commercial Building Awards on September 23, 2010. The awards are meant to honour excellence in local commercial and industrial construction within Greater Vancouver, including recognizing the architects, designers, owners, developers, financiers, and realtors responsible for creating some of the most exciting and innovative projects in the region. Categories include:

  • Mixed-use — Commercial/Residential;
  • Community facilities including senior’s housing/church/schools/government/recreation facilities;
  • Retail/shopping centres;
  • Office;
  • Industrial;
  • Rental housing;
  • Hospitality — hotels/motels/resorts; and
  • Commercial renovation/restoration.


There will also be a Judges’ Choice Award for best overall entry. Adjudication will be performed by a select panel of judges respected for their expertise within the real estate community. To be eligible, the institutional, commercial or industrial building or renovation project must be located within the REGBV area, and completed between January 1 and December 31, 2009. The deadline for nominations is July 30. For further information, contact Commercial Coordinator Tammy Dunn by phone (604-730-3033) or e-mail (tdunn@rebgv.org).

Archifoto: International Awards of Architectural Photography

Submissions are now being accepted for Archifoto, an international competition for amateur and professional photographers. The theme for this year’s competition is “Architecture is Sustainable!” Applicants are invited to submit up to three photographs that explore issues of sustainability and durability surrounding architecture and urban landscapes. The competition is organized by the gallery La Chambre in Strasbourg, France, and Les Journées de l’Architecture, an architecture festival that takes place in Alsace, Baden-Wuerttemberg and Basel. Submissions are due by July 31, 2010. For more information on the competition, visit http://www.archifoto.org/.

Call For Submissions: 2010 Design Exchange Awards

The Design Exchange Awards promote Canadian design excellence and recognize the critical role of design in all types of organizations including commercial entities (large and small businesses), not-for-profit organizations, and the public sector. The awards celebrate the success stories achieved through close partnerships between clients and designers. The DXAs are Canada’s only award program to judge design by results, balancing function, aesthetics and economic success. The early submission deadline is July 20, 2010, followed by the final submission deadline of September 30, 2010. Click here to learn more or visit the DXA web site for complete details.

AECOM Competition

AECOM Technology Corporation, one of the world's largest engineering and architectural design firms, is pleased to announce Urban SOS: Transformations, a design competition offering US $20,000 in prize money for integrated design responses to sites in select global cities. The competition is open to students in the fields of architecture, urban and regional planning, urban design, landscape architecture, economics, environmental science, engineering, and related disciplines. Now in its second year, Urban SOS gives students around the world the opportunity for real engagement with issues facing built, natural and social environments. Last year’s competition attracted more than 1,000 entrants from 239 colleges and universities in 64 countries. This year, the competition will explore the topic of “Transformations”, looking at cities that are in the midst of change that represents both challenge and opportunity to their future. Featured cities include Beijing, China; Istanbul, Turkey; Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Johannesburg, South Africa; Phoenix, United States; Port au Prince, Haiti; and São Paulo, Brazil. The competition seeks creative, viable proposals for site redevelopment. The five semi-finalists will receive a trip to the World Architecture Festival in Barcelona this November. Submissions will be accepted until July 31, 2010. Visit www.aecom.com/urbansos for complete submission requirements.

Kasian Shares Prairie Design Award of Excellence

Toronto-based Teeple Architects, in association with Kasian Architecture, has been awarded the 2010 Prairie Design Award of Excellence in the Recent Work category. The award, which celebrates new standards in creativity and skill, is presented every two years by the Alberta Association of Architects (AAA), the Saskatchewan Association of Architects (SAA) and the Manitoba Association of Architects (MAA). The two firms were honoured for their work on the Montrose Cultural Centre, a new cultural hub and rejuvenated civic focal point in Grande Prairie, Alberta. The project is targeted as LEED Silver.

Architecture in the Age of Gehry

By Matt Tyrnauer, Vanity Fair
August 2010

What is the most important piece of architecture built since 1980? Vanity Fair’s survey of 52 experts, including 11 Pritzker Prize winners, has provided a clear answer: Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. But parsing the votes, which also anointed Renzo Piano’s Menil Collection, Peter Zumthor’s Thermal Baths, and Sir Norman Foster’s HSBC Building, among other significant structures, Matt Tyrnauer examines the complex legacy of Modernism and the impact of its greatest renegade. 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