Ernest named Executive Director

AIBC Council is pleased to announce that Michael Ernest MAIBC has been named Executive Director on an ongoing basis. He had assumed the role in June 2009 in an interim capacity. In removing the interim status, Council is recognizing the positive results and new directions that have been evident under his leadership since that time. The decision also reflects his extensive history with the institute, which began as an oral examiner in 1976, as well as his reputation and regard within the profession and industry sector. Congratulations to Michael.

Save the Date: AIBC Holiday Open House

Celebrate the season by attending the AIBC Holiday Open House. Come by after work and share in music, food, and fun with colleagues and friends at the AIBC. The event places Tuesday, December 8, 2009, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. at the AIBC offices, #440 - 100 Cambie Street, Vancouver. To confirm you attendance, please r.s.v.p. to communications@aibc.ca by December 2, 2009. We hope to see you there.

Firm Updates Overdue
Outstanding Annual Updates Required Immediately

The Architects Act and AIBC bylaws require every firm to file an annual update with the AIBC. Firms that have not yet updated their profiles must do so immediately to ensure accurate publication in the 2010 AIBC Directory. Firm update information and instructions (including firm login identification and password information) was e-mailed to every firm on October 15, with an identified owner / administrator and e-mail address, and mailed to all other films for which we have no email address. To complete your update, you must log on to your on-line firm profile (http://aibc.memberpro.net).

Information Session for Foreign Registered Architects and Alternatively Qualified Individuals

The AIBC’s Registration and Licensing Department is hosting an information session for anyone registered as an architect outside Canada and the United States and interested in registering in British Columbia through alternative qualifications, as well as those candidates who may be eligible through Section 37 of the Architects Act. It takes place Thursday, December 3, 2009 from 12:00 noon – 1:30 p.m. at the AIBC large boardroom. Note: lunch will not be provided so please feel free to bring your own. Those interested in attending are asked to r.s.v.p. to AIBC Manager of Registration and Licensing Róisín O’Neill at roneill@aibc.ca. Also, if you know of anyone who may be interested in attending, please encourage him/her to contact Róisín.

Attendees are also advised to review the information on the Foreign Trained Architect registration process prior to the session by visiting www.aibc.ca/fta.

Richards Re-appointed CACB President

At its biannual meeting earlier this month, the Canadian Architectural Certification Board announced that Gordon Richards MAIBC MRAIC has been chosen for a second term as CACB president.

Free Practice Consultation Service Making a Positive Impression

Response to the AIBC’s Practice Consultation Service (formerly Practice Standards Consultation Service) continues to be overwhelmingly positive. Participating firms have provided excellent feedback respecting benefits to their firms and the informative nature of the process itself. As a result, firms of various sizes have been able to better standardize their project organization of projects and improve their processes. Here’s what some have to say about their PCS experience:

“This experience has been a smooth and cooperative process. The precise statements and the clear understanding created a great communication tool. My interview was neither threatening nor worrisome, but rather a helpful wake-up call on methods of practice where I should be using more standard check sheets rather than relying [solely] on my 39 years of practice!”
- Ben Levinson MAIBC

“We have found the process valuable to our firm. The methodical, step-by-step preparation process … has been an excellent opportunity for us to step back and review what we are doing right and what we can improve upon.”
– Hugh Cochlin MAIBC

The PCS is not a design review. Rather, it is a positive, educational, interactive process that allows members to consider their practices through external feedback from volunteer practice consultants — fellow architects who have stepped up to share their wealth of experience, understanding and knowledge. Their advice may pertain to any area where support is needed or wanted, and the visit can provide a good opportunity to chat about a variety of topics relating to a member’s practice. The process affords a closer look at how one’s firm manages itself and its projects, including organizational structure, contract management procedures and office administration.

The process is simple and straightforward. Members begin by filling out a Practice Self-Assessment Rating Form that serves as a starting point for self-evaluation and provides an introduction to the firm for the practice consultant. The next steps are to gather project documents and administrative records for three projects that are representative of the firm’s work, in preparation for the practice consultant’s visit and interview.

A very limited number of consultation spots remain for 2009, with additional spots available in 2010. For more information on how you can take advantage of this valuable resource, please contact Coordinator of Professional Practice Erica Holt  by phone (604-683-8588; ext. 314) or e-mail (eholt@aibc.ca).

2010 AIBC Annual Conference: Call for Presentations

Extended Deadline: November 25, 2009

The Architectural Institute of British Columbia invites proposals for presentations at its annual conference to be held May 6 to 8, 2010 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The theme of the 2010 conference is “Community Building: The Social Impact of Architecture”. Proposals related to this theme are encouraged, as well as other topic areas in architecture and architectural practice.

All AIBC registrants are invited to make submissions. National and international participation is also welcomed. Please complete the online PDF to submit your proposals. Please contact Director of Professional Services Maura Gatensby MAIBC if you have any questions.

Update: Bulletin 01 – Fees, Fines and Charges

An updated version of Bulletin 01 - Fees, Fines and Charges is now available online at http://www.aibc.ca/bulletins/Bulletin_01_2009.pdf. This new version incorporates changes to address the AIBC’s newly-established Alternative Qualifications Assessment process for Architectural Technologists, along with minor syntax adjustments and modified sequencing for improved clarity and transparency.

Update: Bulletin 12 – Registering with Alternative Qualifications

An updated version of Bulletin 12 – Registering with Alternative is now available on the AIBC website at http://www.aibc.ca/bulletins/Bulletin_12_oct09.PDF. This bulletin sets out the basic rules, processes and procedures for application for registration in British Columbia as an architect through alternative qualifications assessment. Revisions made in this latest version included the recognition of Canadian work experience (not just British Columbia). Accepting such applicants remains at the discretion of Council on the advice and recommendation of staff, the Registration and Licensing Board, and its reporting committees.

New Bulletin: Bulletin 60 – Signature, Seal and Delivery of Electronic Documents

Bulletin 60 - Signature, Seal and Delivery of Electronic Documents has been approved and formally adopted by resolution of the AIBC Council. It contains guidance and council rulings on the use of electronic certificate technology to sign/seal and deliver documents. The new bulletin is posted on the AIBC website, and can be downloaded here. Members are encouraged to provide feedback on this bulletin to Deputy Executive Director Jerome Marburg (jmarburg@aibc.ca).

Updated Digital Signature Software

Notarius, the authorized digital signature supplier of the AIBC, has released an updated version of ConsignO. The improved software responds to numerous user suggestions offered over the past few years. For existing Notarius users, ConsignO 3.0 will be included with your subscription to the digital signature service. For a limited time, new subscribers can also obtain it when paying only the $95 subscription fee (a saving of $80). Note: this offer ends December 15, 2009. For more information, refer to AIBC Bulletin 60, visit the Notarius web site, or contact Notarius directly at (514) 281-1577 or toll free at 1-888-588-0011.

Role Call: AIBC Awards Advisory Committee

The institute is seeking members interested in joining the AIBC Awards Advisory Committee. This committee will work with staff to formulate a jury for the 2010 AIBC Awards in Architecture, and review the institute’s awards program. This committee will meet approximately four times between October 2009 and February 2010, with meeting times to be determined. All classes of AIBC registrant, including both former committee members and those newly interested in becoming involved, are welcomed to apply. For more information or to indicate your interest in volunteering for this committee, please contact Director of Communications David Wiebe at dwiebe@aibc.ca.

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

Shapiro Hankinson & Knutson Law Corporation

Construction Law Seminar
SHK invites you a complimentary breakfast and discussion about relevant industry issues.  It happens Wednesday, December 2, 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. at the Terminal City Club, 837 West Hastings Street, Vancouver. Please r.s.v.p. to Brenda at bor@shk.ca or calling (604) 684-0727. For complete details, click here.

1.5 Core LUs

SFU City Program

Shifting Gears Series: Learning from Toronto

The next offering in the Shifting Gears II Lecture Series is titled “Learning from Toronto”. Speaker Elyse Parker, Director of the Public Realm Section for Toronto’s Transportation Services Division, has helped to actively re-envision streets and public spaces for city greening, sustainable practices, beautification and active transportation. Find out how Toronto is taking designs for a healthy city — and healthy people — to the streets. It happens Thursday, November 26, 7:00 p.m. at UBC Robson Square, 800 Robson Street, Vancouver. Admission is free admission; however, reservations are required. Call (778) 782-5100 or e-mail cstudies@sfu.ca.

1.5 Non-Core LUs

IMAGINiT Technologies

Revit Architecture Fundamentals

Revit Architecture is a powerful Building Information Modeling (BIM) program that works the way architects think. From preliminary design through design development and into construction documents, the program streamlines the design process with a central 3D model. Changes made in one view update across all views and on the printable sheets. The name “Revit” implies this ease of revision that is at the heart of the software. Prerequisite: an understanding of architectural terminology is an asset. This three-day course takes place November 23 - 25, 2009. For more information or to register, please contact Kam Seignarack by e-mail (kam.seignarack@rand.com) or phone (604-207-2114).

19.5 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

Vancouver Heritage Foundation

Old School Program

Whether you already work with existing buildings or would like to increase your knowledge about heritage conservation, this program offers certification, learning credits and invaluable content specific to older buildings. Old School is especially relevant for: architects, contractors, renovators, trades people, realtors, planners or city staff, appraisers, designers, engineers, building managers, inspectors, do-it-yourselfers, heritage commission members and homeowners. The following courses will be held in November:

Brown Bag Lunch and Learn – Having Heritage Values Inform the UBC Campus Plans
November 25, 2009: 12:00 noon – 1:30 p.m.; $10 + GST
Presenter: James Burton, Birmingham & Wood Architects, author of the UBC Cultural Landscapes Plan
Room 850, BCIT Downtown Campus, 555 Seymour Street, Vancouver
1.5 Core LUs

Researching the History of a Building - Part I
November 25, 2009; 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.; $12 + GST
City of Vancouver Archives
2 Core LUs

Researching the History of a Building - part II
November 26, 2009; 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.; no cost
Vancouver Public Library
2 Core LUs

For complete details or to register for courses, please visit Heritage Vancouver’s website: http://www.vancouverheritagefoundation.org/oldschool.html

MMPI

SustainaBUILD Conference: Balancing Energy and the Indoor Environment

There has been a rapid adoption of green building certification systems for new and existing buildings that claim to protect occupant health while achieving climate change objectives. But are all green buildings healthy buildings? This one-day conference will seek to provide answers to this pressing issue by addressing the myths and misconceptions surrounding sustainable green buildings and health in the context of the building envelope and ventilation. It happens November 24, 2009, at the Westin Bayshore, 1609 Bayshore Drive, Vancouver. The cost is $295 + GST. For program details or to register, please visit http://sustainabuild.com/vancouver/index.htm.

5 Core LUs

Pacific Business and Law Institute

Construction Management: The Practical and Legal Issues

The increased use of construction managers has created a variety of pressing legal and practical issues. For construction management to be effective, everyone involved must understand how to minimize project liability and avoid incurring unnecessary expenses. At this one-day practical conference, leading experts will guide you through one of the trickiest and rapidly evolving areas of the construction business. You will gain valuable insights and practical tips to meet the challenges of today’s increasingly competitive market. Issues addressed will include:

• When and why do you use a construction manager;
• Situations where construction managers should be avoided;
• The legal intricacies of construction management;
• Understanding the method and impact of the various models of management in the industry;
• Practical insight on the “how tos” of construction management;
• How to deal with the most crucial issues that arise in the contract phase; and
• Lessons learned and advice for future projects.

It happens December 10, 2009, at the Renaissance Vancouver Harbourside Hotel. For more information, or to register, please visit http://www.pbli.com/819/

6 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

BC Wood

Digital Design & Fabrication for Wood Products and Structures Seminar

BC Wood and the University of British Columbia Centre for Advanced Wood Processing invite you to attend a half-day seminar on digital design and fabrication using CAD/CAM software and computer-numerical control (CNC) fabrication machinery. These digital technologies are opening up a world of new design possibilities, and offer the potential to design and fabricate structural and aesthetic wood components with ever-improving precision and speed. However, the various design and fabrication steps must be planned as a holistic process that maximizes the efficient flow of digital information in order to take full advantage. Designers must also have a solid understanding of the capabilities of the fabrication equipment used. This seminar will illustrate how the use of 3D CAD/CAM software and CNC machinery impacts the design and manufacturing process, including demonstrations of the most important capabilities of various software programs and CNC equipment. It will also discuss common issues and pitfalls that designers and manufacturers experience, and how these can be mitigated.  It takes place Friday, November 27, 12:30 – 4:50 p.m. at the Centre for Advanced Wood Processing, Point Grey Campus, U.B.C. Forest Sciences Centre, 2424 Main Mall, Vancouver. The cost is $50 per person (including lunch). To register, please contact Jason Chiu by e-mail (jason.chiu@ubc.ca) or phone (604-822-0082). For further details, please visit www.cawp.ubc.ca.

4 Core LUs

Canadian Wood Council / Wood WORKS!

B.C. Fall Wood Design Luncheon Conferences

You are invited to attend the following presentations on Durable Wood Exteriors, being offered at three B.C. locations this November:

Durability by Design - The Do’s and Don’ts of Exterior Wood Detailing
Speaker: Bill Billups, AScT, Technical Consultant. Wood Works! BC

Durability by Nature and Durability by Treatment  
Speaker: Paul Morris, PhD, Group Leader – Durability and Protection, FPInnovations

Durability a Factor in Sustainable Wood Design
Speaker: Witmar Abele MAIBC, MRAIC, LEED® AP Principle, KMBR Architects Planners Inc.

When and Where:

Victoria:

Tuesday, November 24, 2009, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Delta Ocean Pointe, 45 Songhees Road

Sessions are free for those who pre-register with the Canadian Wood Council. To do so, please go to http://www.cwc.ca.

3 Core LUs

Association of Professional Engineers & Geoscientists of BC (APEGBC)

The Integration of Mechanical, Structural & Envelope Systems Towards Net Zero Buildings (Victoria)
This workshop will explore ideas, provide technical study data and help inform future direction for engineers of all disciplines to take an active role in the design of sustainable buildings. Participants will be engaged and inspired to integrate sustainable strategies into designs. By the use of information, case studies and interactive group discussion, attendees will also be able to develop your road map to work collaboratively towards net zero energy, water, and optimization of materials in buildings. The cost is $282.45 per person. It takes place in Victoria on Monday, December 7, 2009. For details and to register, click here.

4 Core LUs

Current Exhibit: FUTURESOCIAL

Monday, November 9, 2009 - Monday, January 5, 2010
AIBC Gallery: #100 – 440 Cambie Street, Vancouver

This fall, the AIBC Gallery will feature select entries from the recently-held FUTURESOCIAL ideas competition. Jointly supported by the University of British Columbia’s School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture and the B.C. Ministry of Housing and Social Development, this social housing design competition stimulated numerous innovative design ideas for supportive housing to combat homelessness.

Zipcar

Give the gift of green this holiday season with Zipcar, a car sharing program that enhances personal and business travel while protecting the environment. As a recent addition to the Club AIBC program, Zipcar is offering exclusive discount rates for all AIBC registrants. Enjoy a discounted membership rate of $30 / year, or set up a Zipcar for Business account for free. For more information on this offer, or to sign up, please visit www.zipcar.com/aibc or email Dave Lewin at dlewin@zipcar.com.

CHOP II

The CD-ROM 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 CD-ROM version includes the same PDF version of the document currently available for purchase as a download. Note: As with the First Edition, CCDC contract documents are not included, and must be purchased separately. 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.

New Standards for Adaptable Housing

An amendment to the B.C. Building Code concerning the Adaptable Dwelling Units comes into effect December 31, 2009. This revision establishes new standards for adaptable housing applicable to single-storey suites in new residential, multi-unit buildings, whether adaptable housing is built voluntarily or required by local governments. The updated document can be found online at http://www.bccodes.ca/errata_revisions.htm. Those customers with online versions of the BC Codes will have their material uploaded after December 31. CD customers are asked to ensure their computers are connected to the internet after December 31st in order to automatically receive the upload.

Safdie at UBC

The Vancouver Institute presents a free public lecture by Moshe Safdie. Safdie, an architect and urban designer who has won numerous awards including the Companion Order of Canada and the Gold Medal of the Royal Canadian Institute of Architects, will speak on "Megascale, Order and Complexity". This presentation, part of the Arthur Erickson Memorial Lecture series, takes place Saturday, November 21, 8:15 p.m. in at the University of British Columbia’s Woodward Instructional Resources Centre (Lecture Hall #2).

2010 Festival of Architecture

Reserve your calendars for the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada / Saskatchewan Association of Architects 2010 Festival of Architecture, taking place June 22 - 26, 2010 in Saskatoon. In addition to being  rife with professional development opportunities and social networking events, the event, themed “Sounds Like Architecture”, will coincide with the city’s annual jazz festival. Watch www.raic.org for more information.

Climate Action in the Thompson-Okanagan

Thompson-Okanagan residents are invited to join the discussion on regional climate action, and enjoy interactive presentations on the Climate Action Charter, climate policy and public opinion on climate change. Hosted by the regional Citizens' Conservation on Climate Action, The State of Climate Action in the Thompson-Okanagan is a one-day event on Friday, November 27, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Manteo Resort in Kelowna. Presenters include Mark Haines, Climate Action Secretariat; Angus McAllister, McAllister Research; and Angela Reid, GreenStep Coach and Kelowna City Councillor. This is a free event but pre-registration is required by e-mailing jo@freshoutlookfoundation.org by November 20.

Construct Canada 2009

The 21st annual Construct Canada Conference takes place December 2-4, 2009 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Now in its 21st year, the conference will feature a program of information, education and networking specifically targeted at the needs and interests of architects support teams. The event is being held jointly with Design Trends, HomeBuilder & Renovator Expo, Concrete Canada and PM Expo, with a combined attendance of over 23,500, more than 1,050 exhibits, some 450 speakers and 200 seminars, making it Canada's largest exposition and educational forum on the building design and construction for architects, builders, contractors, designers, developers, engineers, and specifiers. Featured events include the 8th Annual International Architectural Roundtable which will examine “Radical Pragmatism: New Modes of Architectural Practice”. To review the overall program, please visit our Show website at www.constructcanada.com.

2010 BC Real Estate Convention

The Sixth Annual BC Real Estate Convention takes place April 8-9, 2010 at the Vancouver Convention Centre. This tradeshow is aimed at those interested or engaged in investing in residential or commercial real estate, both professionals and the general public. With presentations, seminars and close to 100 exhibitors, it brings together developers, realtors, municipalities, financial institutions, insurance agencies, associations and others involved in the real estate industry. Admittance is free for those who preregister online at http://www.bcrealestateconvention.com/bcrec/main/frame.php?main=25&sub=89. For detailed information, visit, http://www.bcrealestateconvention.com/bcrec/main/frame.php.

Journeys to the East: Arthur Erickson and Japan

The Arthur Erickson Conservancy presents an illustrated lecture by Professor Michelangelo Sabatino, who, in the summer of 2009, retraced Erickson’s first journey to Japan in 1961. Sabatino, a professor at the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture, University of Houston, revisited the sites Erickson mentioned in his seminal 1960s articles in Canadian Architect. For this lecture, he will discuss the effect Erickson’s journeys to Japan had on his work, including the Osaka Pavilion for Expo ’70. This illustrated presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer discussion and a reception. It takes place at on Wednesday, November 25, 2009, 7:00 p.m. at the Vancity Theatre + Atrium, Vancouver International Film Centre, 1181 Seymour Street, Vancouver. For more information, please contact Cheryl Cooper at info@arthurericksonconservancy.com.

HPO Building Smart Webinars

This fall, the Homeowner Protection Office will be piloting web seminars based on previous Building Smart live presentation seminars. These webinars will be accessible from one’s computer, making them available province-wide to an audience that includes licensed architects, builders, suppliers, manufacturers, building designers, building officials and many other building professionals who have attended the Building Smart series of seminars presented throughout B.C. over the past six years. Available this winter, the first webinar entitled Avoiding Moisture Problems in Houses will provide practical information that will help you avoid moisture problems in the construction of single detached houses and townhouses. Additional information will be posted on the “What’s New” section of the HPO website (www.hpo.bc.ca) during November.

IHC2010

Registrations and abstracts are now being accepted for the International Housing Conference 2010, taking place in Singapore from January 26-20. 2010. This event, organized by Singapore’s Housing and Development Board with a theme of “Sustainable Housing: Charting New Frontiers”, will bring together eminent experts, leaders and professionals to share their experience, perspectives and vision on the subject of sustainable development with a focus on housing. For more information on the conference program and topics, visit the website at http://www.internationalhousingconference.com/. To register, go to http://www.internationalhousingconference.com/online.html. An early bird rate is in place until November 30.

Deadline Extension: 2009 Wood Design Awards

The deadline for submission to the 2009 Wood Design Awards has been extended to Monday, December 7, 2009. This awards program, produced by the Canadian Wood Council, is the only annual North America-wide recognition program specifically for achievements in wood architecture. Entries should consist of building projects that show a broad range of wood building and finishing materials, though they need not be constructed entirely out of wood. Award categories include: Non-residential (new and remodeled), Residential (new and remodeled), Architectural Interior Design and International Projects. Entries will be judged on the success with which the project satisfies the building and site requirements of the client using appropriate wood product applications. This year’s Wood Design Awards jurors are Silvio Baldassarra, Vice President of NORR Ltd. Architects and Engineers; Keith Boswell AIA, Technical Director of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP; and Wendy Evens Joseph FAIA LEEP AP, of Wendy Evens Joseph Architecture. Additional information can be found at http://www.cwc.ca/Events/BuildingAwards.

Northern Exposure Photo Contest

Buildex Vancouver invites all photography students and amateur photographers to participate in the inaugural Northern Exposure Photo Contest as part of its annual event. The competition is intended capture images of some of Vancouver’s contemporary architectural and interior design projects. Entries must be original work taken in Vancouver and profiling progressive, new and high-profile architecture or interiors (commercial, retail or industrial) completed after January 1, 2007. Categories include Exteriors; Interiors; Urban Landscape (buildings, cityscapes); and Details. Cash prizes totaling $1,000 will be awarded, and winning submissions will be profiled in a special exhibit at the Buildex Vancouver tradeshow, April 21 - 22, 2010 at the Vancouver Convention Centre. The deadline for submissions is November 25, 2009. For more information, visit http://www.buildexvancouver.com/contest/index.htm.

TownShift: Suburb into City

Entries are now being accepted for “TownShift: Suburb into City”, an open international ideas competition seeking innovative ideas for five of Surrey's established town centres. The aim of this juried competition is to shift the thinking towards more intense, public-minded and productive urban futures for each of these town hubs within the province’s second most populous city. The hope is to open debate and generate innovative new thinking about suburbs transforming towards sustainability in an era of increasingly expensive energy, and to help transition Surrey from a postmodern suburb to a vital contemporary city. The task is to create livable, walkable, sustainable, residential density around shopping malls, retail strips, recreation centres and residential bungalows in the designated areas. The competition has been approved by the AIBC. Jury members include: Jane Durante FCSLA, Durante-Kreuk Landscape Architects, Vancouver; David Miller FAIA, Miller-Hull Partnership, Architecture Chair – University of  Washington; Mary Beth Rondeau MAIBC, City Architect - City of Surrey; Stephen Teeple OAA FRAIC RCA,  Teeple Architects, Toronto; and Peter Webb B.Arch, Senior Vice President - Concord Pacific Development, Vancouver. Registration closes January 4, 2010. Entries will be showcased at an exhibit beginning February 4, 2010, with winners announced and awards presented on February 24. Some $75,000 in prize money is up for grabs. For more details, visit www.townshift.com.

RAIC Gold Medal and Architectural Firm Award Deadline

The deadline for nominations and submissions for the RAIC’s annual Gold Medal and Architectural Firm awards is Friday, December 11, 2009. The RAIC Gold Medal recognizes a significant body of work deemed to be a major contribution to Canadian architecture with having lasting influence on the theory and/or the practice of architecture. Any individual, living or dead, may be nominated. The Architectural Firm award, formerly offered as part of the RAIC Awards of Excellence, is now a stand-alone award. It recognizes an architectural firm or practice that has consistently produced distinguished architecture. Those eligible include architectural firms or architectural practices that are resident in Canada or have their principal office located in Canada, possess the appropriate Certificate of Practice or authorization to practice as required by the provincial licensing authorities, and have been together as an organization or as successor firm for at least 10 years. Both of these honours will be selected by a single jury. For more information, please visit http://www.raic.org/. You can also e-mail awards-prix@raic.org, or call (613) 241-3600, x 214.

Shuko Montréal l Design Competition

The City of Montréal is sponsoring a nationwide ideas competition for the redesign of the Champ-de-Mars métro station area of the city. The station, which features glassworks by renowned artist Marcelle Ferron, is one of the few Montreal landmarks remaining from prior to the construction of the Ville-Marie expressway. The immediate perimeter of the station forms a link between downtown Montréal and Old Montréal, and is one of the main pedestrian access routes to the historic district. Entrants are invited to submit development proposals that integrate smoothly with the existing public spaces and take into account the current and future built environment, including the impending development of the Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal and the planned covering of the Ville-Marie expressway. Proposals must promote citizen appropriation of the urban environment and provide a development framework that facilitates movement through the city. The competition, which is being conducted on an anonymous-entry basis, is open to all design professionals, students or consortium whose main place of business is in Canada. It is a single-stage competition, with two submission categories, one for professionals and the other for students. The language of the competition is French. However, the conceptual approach may include a text in English. The competition jury will use criteria such as enhancement of the architecture and glassworks of Champ-de-Mars métro station; reinforcement of pedestrian links and access routes; and innovative and esthetic qualities. Jury members include:

• Melvin Charney, architect;
• Odile Decq, architect and Director of the École Spéciale d’Architecture, Paris;
• Jacques Des Rochers, Curator of Canadian Art, Montréal Museum of Fine Arts;
• Michel Dionne, architect, Cooper, Robertson & Partners, New York;
• Raphaël Fischler, urban planner and professor at the School of Urban Planning, McGill University;
• Mario Masson, landscape architect and Division Manager, Service du développement culturel, de la qualité du milieu de vie et de la diversité ethnoculturelle, Ville de Montréal;
• Alessandra Ponte, associate professor, School of Architecture, Université de Montréal;
• Philippe Poullaouec-Gonidec, landscape architect and holder of the UNESCO Chair in Landscape and Environmental Design at Université de Montréal.

Registration is required by January 15, 2010. Proposals must be submitted no later than February 10, 2010. For more information and to register, visit http://www.realisonsmontreal.com/fr/projet/Amenagement-des-abords-de-la-station-de-metro-Champ-de-Mars. Entrants who have questions about the competition must submit them by e-mail to the Design Montréal office at info@realisonsmontreal.com no later than January 15, 2010.

A Fresh Look at 20th Century Architectural Heritage

The International Union of Architects has launched an international competition that will 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.

Sony World Photography Awards

Do you have a passion for architectural photography? The 2010 Sony World Photography Awards, one of the world’s largest photography competitions, invites you to give it your best shot. The competition includes an Architecture category for both professional and amateur photographers. In 2009, more than over 60,000 entrants from 139 different countries took part. The overall winner receives the L’Iris D’Or title as well as a $25,000 cash prize. The selection for Amateur Photographer of the Year earns a $5,000 cash prize. The 36 category finalists will have their photos included as part of the Sony World Photography Awards Global Tour throughout 2010 and 2011. The judging panel for the competition will be comprised of members of the World Photographic Academy. The competition is free to enters, and the closing date for submissions is December 4, 2009. For further information please visit www.worldphotographyawards.org.

Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize

The Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize is a biennial international award to recognise individuals and organizations who have made outstanding contributions to the creation of vibrant, liveable, and sustainable urban communities. Nominations are applicable for any individual or organization who have demonstrated a key leadership role in areas such as urban planning, policy and programming, and applied technology for urban solutions. The inaugural prize will be awarded in June 2010, as part of the World Cities Summit 2010 in Singapore. For more information, please visit www.leekuanyewworldcityprize.com.sg.

From Overwrought to Overly Simple: Is Green Design Anti-Style?

By Michael Cannell, Fast Company
October 28, 2009

Like everyone else, the design field braced for the fallout from the financial meltdown. At the time, some of us argued that good things could come from a period of constraint and reexamination. The consumer culture of design had become overwrought, with limited edition candleholders that sell for $2,700. For all its pain, the downturn gave design a chance to revitalize by taking on the pressing problems of infrastructure, energy efficiency, and transit. Who better than designers to come up with inventive answers to complex problems? More … http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/michael-cannell/cannell/end-styling-green-design-scared-beauty?partner=homepage_newsletter

Urban Acupuncture

By Kerry Gold, Globe & Mail
November 6, 2009

At Bob Rennie's big launch party for Chinatown's oldest building late last month, the well-heeled crowd of 800 took in a combination of conceptual art, historical artifact and a whole lot of champagne. In one room was a giant sculptural globe depicting armed conflict around the world. On a wall upstairs, there was an 1890s chalkboard on which remained the original chalk markings of Chinese school children. More …

Densification is the Path to Affordable Housing
The explosion of single-family homes - a.k.a. Suburban Domination - is bad for the environment

By Sam Sullivan, Vancouver Sun
November 6, 2009

In the early 1970s an urban reform movement swept North America. Inspired by authors such as Jane Jacobs who railed against the "highway, highrise city," Vancouver avoided a highway through its downtown and a new era of participatory planning was ushered in. More …

What Surrey Must do to Solve the Mega-home Crisis

By Stephanie Ryan, Vancouver Sun
November 6, 2009

The recent controversy in Surrey about mega-homes is entirely the city's own doing. Surrey is infamous for unchecked development, unregulated secondary suites and not enforcing its own zoning bylaws. Now it has to deal with the fallout. Zoning issues came to the forefront again when the Mayor Dianne Watts and council attempted to hastily bring about sweeping changes to the "RF" (single family residential) zone. More …

Time to Dig Deep to Make Tall Towers Green

By Lisa Rochon, Globe and Mail
November 7, 2009

"Design matters - for individuals, for cities, for the future. Do not take design for granted, it will outlast us. So scrutinize it." - from the website for the Living Shangri-La luxury hotel and residences in Toronto. More …

UBC Floats Sustainable-building Sciences Program

By Matthew Burrows, Georgia Straight
November 12, 2009

For PhD student Stefan Storey, the time is now for Canada to lead in the emerging field of sustainable-building sciences. “We have so much work to do,” Storey, who conducts research at UBC’s Institute for Resources, Environment, and Sustainability, told the Georgia Straight. “We have provincial targets to meet — things like CO2 emissions — and we need to meet them. To do that, we need to train people who can find solutions, and it’s critical and we have to do it now. It’s not something that can be put off year after year.” More …

Calling All Women: Finding the Forgotten Architect

by Alexis Gregory, AIA Archiblog
November 12, 2009

Look around you. How many women do you see in your architecture office? It seemed as if there were a lot of women working to become architects when you were a student, didn’t it? But where have all the women gone? More...

Even Icons Have to Move With the Times

By Jan Utzon, Sydney Morning Herald
November 18, 2009

My father always made it clear that his vision for the Sydney Opera House was that it was a place for all Australians: a living, breathing centrepiece of inspiration and excellence in a young, confident country. The improvements to the western foyers and accessibility announced at the Opera House this week are an important step towards completing his vision for the building's interior. More …

Architect Speaks Out Against Modernism

By Larry Wilson, Pasadena Star-News
November 19, 2009

Most of us choose early on in adult life to pull at least some of our punches. We'd rather not offend. Or we just don't want to get into it with others. At its best, this human trait is based in modesty. At its worst, it's indulgent of nonsense and needless mediocrity. Urban philosopher Leon Krier would seem to have never pulled a punch in his life. Best known to Americans as "Prince Charles' architect," Krier doesn't mince words about what he sees as the pitfalls of pledging allegiance to the more brutalist aspects of Modernism. More …

ROM Crystal Named One of World's Ugliest Buildings

By Rob Roberts, National Post
November 20, 2009

A tourism web site has named the Royal Ontario Museum's Crystal one of the world's 10 ugliest buildings. VirtualTourist.com has released its second annual list of the “World’s Top 10 Ugly Buildings,” as decided by its members and editors. “Many of these buildings don’t have the warmth of an ice cube while others don’t even seem completed. Either way, they make for very interesting conversation,” said VirtualTourist.com general manager Giampiero Ambrosi. More …

The 50 Best Inventions of 2009

TIME Magazine
November 2009

From a rocket of the future to a $10 million lightbulb, here are TIME's picks for the best new gadgets and breakthrough ideas of the year. More … http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/completelist/0,29569,1934027,00.html#ixzz0XEvoNIEt

 

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