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Please be advised (courtesy the provincial government) that the BC Building Codes have been amended to clarify the roles and accountabilities of individuals who sign Letters of Assurance. More...
September 10, 2010
Oral Reviews
The AIBC will be hosting its next set of oral reviews on October 20 and 21, 2010. Oral reviews are open to those Intern Architects who have:
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completed and logged at least 2800 hours; and
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completed the required AIBC courses.
Eligibility will be confirmed by the Registration & Licensing department. Click here to view complete details and to download the application form. NOTE: application, letter from your employer and oral review application fee must be received by October 11, 2010. If you have any questions regarding the oral review process or the application for registration, please contact Registration and Licensing Administration Assistant Emily Tyler at etyler@aibc.ca.
President's Message
Chers / Chères collègues,
Dear Colleagues,
The AIBC’s Annual Meeting was three months ago, council has had its planning session, and summer is well upon us. The time is right for an update to all members and associates.
Save the Date:
2011 AIBC / RAIC Conference and Festival of Architecture
May 24 – 27, 2011
Vancouver Convention Centre
Save the date for next year’s AIBC Annual Conference, held in conjunction with the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada’s annual Festival of Architecture. Over four days, this event will bring together architects and allied professionals from across the province and around the country. The conference / festival theme, Architecture on the Edge, acknowledges the many ways in which west coast architects continue to push the boundaries in such areas as form and design, sustainability, community development and social awareness. Further information will be posted beginning this Fall; please check back regularly: www.aibc.ca.
Bulletin 61 (Second Edition): Seal of an Architect
The August 2010 revision to AIBC Bulletin 61 is now published and in effect (click here). This substantive revision provides comprehensive, practical advice and interpretation regarding the use of the architect’s seal, including specifying which instruments of service must be sealed, such as development permit drawings. The revision replaces the first (1994) edition of AIBC Bulletin 61 and Directors Chair 004 - An Architect’s Seal: Its Care & Control. The architect’s seal is a solemn confirmation and representation to the public that the architect who applied it not only takes responsibility for the document, but that the document was prepared by that architect under his/her direct supervision and control. The use of the seal is governed by the Architects Act, as supplemented by AIBC Bylaw and AIBC Council rulings found in the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct. For information and advice on the electronic seal option, consult AIBC Bulletin 60: Signature, Seal and Delivery of Electronic Documents. Feedback and questions are welcome to the attention of Professional Conduct Coordinator Gayle Roberts at groberts@aibc.ca.
Formal Responses to Questions and Concerns Expressed Publicly at the 2010 AIBC Annual Meeting
During the AIBC Annual Meeting on Saturday, May 8, 2010, some members raised questions and/or made assertions for which formal responses are in order. Those responses have now been formulated and provided to the originating parties. Given the nature of the questions and concerns raised before membership in a public venue, they are also being made available to all registrants, by clicking on the items below:
2010/2011 AIBC Council Priorities and Working Groups
Following an extensive planning session, the newly-elected AIBC Council has identified four main initiatives for the coming year. Each is of significance to the future directions of the institute and the well-being of the profession. More...
ARE Preparation - Building Systems (Two-Day Seminar)
Professor Gustavo Mibelli is coming to Vancouver to present his two-day intensive Building Systems seminar. The course will be held September 25 and 26, 2010 at the AIBC offices. Registration is now open, and the registration form is available on the AIBC web site. Detailed course information can be found on the second page of the registration form. Please submit your registration to the attention of AIBC Registration & Licensing Administration Assistant Emily Tyler by e-mail (etyler@aibc.ca) or fax (604-683-8568). The deadline for registration is September 17, 2010.
Alert: Mandatory Training Programs
Recently, the AIBC has heard from firms concerned about the marketing of certain occupational safety and health training or professional development offerings. In at least one case, high-pressure tactics were used to induce a firm into signing on, including untrue statements that the training was mandatory under provincial labour laws. The institute has followed up with WorkSafe BC, which has confirmed that one or more private sector service providers may be misleading businesses into signing up for training programs that are not mandated by law. The matter is now being investigated on a national level by occupational health and safety authorities.
Members and firms are reminded to be wary of exaggerated claims made by any potential service provider, and to follow up with the proper authority or seek independent advice to confirm claims regarding mandatory training of any kind.
Important HST Information Update
Members and firms will have noted and already be using the HST-related information published in our June 4, 2010 eNews. That information was based upon material gathered from a number of reliable sources and remains largely correct. Regrettably, as we have become recently aware, some of that information relating to B.C. construction progress payments and the application of HST was incorrect. Many thanks to the sharp-eyed members who, in the course of applying the HST in their practices, discovered the difference and identified the issue for us. The correct procedures can be found here:
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http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pub/gi/notice246/notice246-e.pdf
(pages 29-30) -
http://www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/documents_library/notices/HST_Notice_001.pdf
(pages 14-16)
Looking ahead, we are working on updating AIBC Practice Note 13 regarding value-added taxes, as well as adjusting the AIBC Tariff of Fees for Architectural Services (and related bulletins) as any project’s "contract price" (i.e. the cost of construction before value-added taxes as defined in CCDC construction contracts, AIBC Tariff of Fees and AIBC consulting contracts 6C and 8C) has been reduced with the elimination of the formerly embedded Provincial Sales Tax.
Thanks for your understanding.
Maura Gatensby MAIBC
Director of Professional Services
Fine-tuning Your Practice: The Practice Consultation Service Answered your Questions at This Year’s Annual Conference
The AIBC Practice Consultation Service has proven to be a great success, providing feedback to firms of all ages and size with respect to their standard office practices and addressing questions relating to a variety of firm management topics. In kind, participating firms have provided their own valuable reflections on the process itself. The PCS has afforded them with a unique opportunity to step back and examine “the bigger picture”, and to ask more detailed questions relating to everyday practice management concerns.
At this year’s AIBC Annual Conference, the Practice Consultation Service Committee addressed a number of these questions in an open forum that promoted dialogue between Practice Consultants and fellow architects. Roundtable discussions offered the opportunity for attendees to share their own knowledge of design firm management relating to Digital Media & Information Management; Management of Projects (Process & Resources); and RFPs and Client/Consultant Agreements.
The feedback from the sessions has been overwhelmingly positive, with members citing it as an excellent opportunity to engage consultants directly as well as listen to the experiences of other fellow colleagues.
As a useful introduction to some of the topics that may be covered during a practice consultation, please take a look at the Practice Self-Assessment Rating Form available for download on the AIBC web site:
http://aibc.ca/member_resources/practice/pdf/4.1_PCS_PSARF.pdf
To learn more about the PCS or to schedule a practice consultation, please contact Director of Professional Services Maura Gatensby MAIBC by phone (604-683-8588; ext. 334) or e-mail (mgatesnby@aibc.ca).
BEEP Module II Building Science: Theory, Design and Practice
Note: this two-day course has been rescheduled to October 14-15, 2010. For course description go to http://www.aibc.ca/member_resources/professional_dev/index.html. and click on Building Envelope Education Program courses. To register, please fax or mail your completed registration form to Professional Development Coordinator Aleta Cho, #100 - 440 Cambie Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 2N5, or e-mail to acho@aibc.ca. Please do not attempt to register on-line.
12 Core LUs
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
The AIBC 2009 PD/CES Course Schedule and Registration Form are available online at www.aibc.ca/member_resources/professional_dev/index.html.
Heritage Vancouver
Walking Tour – Mole Hill Community: Mixed-Income Living in Renovated Heritage Houses
Often called the oldest intact block of vintage houses in Vancouver, construction on the Mole Hill block dates back to 1888. By the 1950s, the future of the block was uncertain due to development pressures in Vancouver’s West End and the fact that most of its houses were being acquired by the City of Vancouver. In the mid-1990s, building on earlier citizen-led efforts to preserve the heritage of the block, the Mole Hill Living Heritage Society was formed to advocate for preservation and restoration of the houses as non-profit rental housing. The advocacy effort, which involved dozens of civic groups, was successful as the city and province partnered with the Mole Hill Community Housing Society to renovate 27 vintage houses as 170 units of affordable housing. The Mole Hill Community Housing Project was recognized with a City of Vancouver Honour Heritage Award as well as a Heritage Canada Provincial Award. Join Sean McEwen MAIBC, head architect on the Mole Hill Community Housing project, as he explores the historic Victorian and Edwardian streetscapes. Learn how the houses have been updated to accommodate affordable housing units while integrating a high standard of sustainability, innovative open space planning, and heritage preservation. The tour happens Saturday, September 18, 2010, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Tickets are $15 ($10 for Heritage Vancouver members) and space is limited to 30 people. Payment can be made online via Paypal (account not required) or by cheque to Heritage Vancouver Society and mailed to Heritage Vancouver, PO Box 3336, Main Post Office, Vancouver, BC, V6B 3Y3. To hold your spot, please e-mail info@heritagevancouver.org to advise that your payment has been mailed. Participants will meet in the community square located mid-block in the lane between Comox and Pendrell streets (midway between Thurlow Street to the east and Bute Street to the west).
2 Core LUs
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)
Annual Housing Outlook Conference
Housing experts will discuss the key factors that impact housing supply and demand, offer up a 2011 forecast for the B.C. economy and Metro Vancouver markets, and examine trends in new home, rental and resale markets that are influencing developers and consumers. Bob Rennie, a leader in the local real estate community, will share his insights into Vancouver's changing condominium market and the integration of sustainable building practices. Participants will also find out about the tools and resources available from CMHC to help build affordable housing. This one-day conference promises important business information to help stay abreast of housing trends and make knowledgeable business decisions for the upcoming year. It takes place Wednesday, November 10, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Vancouver. CMHC will also be hosting a similar conference in Victoria at the Delta Ocean Pointe Resort and Spa on November 22, 2010. Register by October 13 for a special early bird rate of $230 per person (plus HST). Special group table rates are also available. This event sells out every year so be sure to register early. Go on-line to www.cmhc.ca/conferenceregistration or call 1-800-668-2642.
3 Non-core LUs
SFU City Program
SFU and City of Surrey Transportation Lecture Program
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to transportation in Metro Vancouver with a particular focus on Surrey. Participants will learn about a wide range of transportation issues, from regional planning of development and land use through to the day-to-day operation and management of transportation systems. The Transportation Lecture Program, the first of its kind in B.C., is an opportunity to learn more about transportation and the role it plays in the shaping and development of a city. It will present a forum to discuss important regional and local transportation issues while providing representatives from the City of Surrey the chance to share their roles in transportation and related services as part of the larger transportation “jig-saw”. In turn, they will also have the opportunity to hear first-hand the issues and priorities that are important to local residents. Sessions take place October 6 to December 1,2010. Wednesdays form 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at SFU Surrey Campus (Surrey Central Mall). For more details or to register, please visit http://www.sfu.ca/city/course10popup.htm.
27 Non-core LUs
Cascadia Region Green Building Council
Workshop: Design & Build New Energy-efficient Multi-unit Residential Buildings
The Cascadia Green Building Council and the BC Hydro Power Smart New Construction Program are pleased to offer this new full-day workshop for architects, engineers, owners, developers, cost consultants and others involved in new Multi-Unit Residential Buildings (MURBs) in British Columbia. It takes place Thursday, September 16, 2010 at Simon Fraser University Harbour Centre, 515 West Hastings Street, Vancouver. For complete details and registration information, please visit
http://cascadiagbc.org/events/2010/september/workshop-design-build-new-energy-efficient-multi-unit-residential-buildings/view.
7 Core LUs
LEED Canada for New Constructions 2009 (Vancouver)*
This one day interactive workshop provides a technical review of the LEED Canada NC 2009 Rating System. Technologies and strategies that can assist in achieving credits are discussed, and participants are given the opportunity to consider the synergies between various credits. Case studies have been created to assist participants in applying their learning in relation to a real project scenario. This workshop also briefly identifies changes that have occurred during the evolution of the NC 1.0 Rating System and Addendum, to the 2009 system.The event takes place on September 23, 2010, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at SFU Harbour Centre, 515 West Hastings St., Vancouver. For details, visit http://cascadiagbc.org/
7 Core LUs
LEED Canada Core Concepts & Strategies Workshop (Victoria)*
This full-day workshop provides essential knowledge of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Rating Systems and sustainable building concepts. This workshop presents LEED concepts at the credit category level – across building types and rating systems – and the basics on the LEED certification process. It provides the foundation required for more advanced LEED training. Project examples help demonstrate and reinforce learning. The workshop takes place on September 28, 2010, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at the Vancouver Island Technology Park at #2201-4464 Markham Street, Victoria. For details, visit http://cascadiagbc.org/.
7 Core LUs
*Any CaGBC workshop will meet eligibility requirements for the Green Associate exam.
Lighthouse Sustainable Building Centre
Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) for Buildings
Government and industry are looking closely at the materials of buildings and their environmental footprint. With emerging carbon reduction requirements and consumer awareness in Canada, building professionals are required to understand and identify processes that achieve effective carbon reduction. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is widely regarded as the most comprehensive approach for assessing environmental performance of products and services over their life cycle. The goal of this course is to prepare participants to put LCA into practice. This course will be of interest to building industry professionals, including engineers, architects, materials specifiers, product manufacturers, as well as building owners and developers. The instructor is Rob Sianchuk, B.Sc. WPP M.A.Sc. Candidate, Sessional Instructor at University of British Columbia. For more information, visit http://www.sustainablebuildingcentre.com/life_cycle_analysis_for_buildings. The course takes place on Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., September 28 – October 26, 2010.
15 Core LUs
RETScreen Clean Energy Project Analysis Software Workshop Fall 2010 - Date TBA
This two-day course provides intermediate training for RETScreen, a software program for clean-energy project analysis. Intended for professionals and university students, this course will help participants to better analyze the technical and financial viability of renewable-energy and energy-efficient technologies. Modules include energy efficiency, renewable energy, and whole building in-depth analysis. Participants will acquire practical project experience through modeling and case studies, and take part in hands-on exercises. No prior experience with RETScreen software is required. Registration opens soon. Contact helenc@sustainablebuildingcentre.com to reserve your space now.
15 Core LUs
British Columbia Building Envelope Council (BCBEC)
2010 Conference and AGM: Innovative Solutions – Building Tomorrow
The BC Building Envelope Council will be hosting a one-day conference. The conference will provide a discussion forum for the technical challenges and opportunities presented by increasingly sustainable building enclosure systems. Participants will share their experiences on a range of building enclosure issues including the investigation, repair, design, construction of projects, energy efficiency and retrofit strategies (including net-zero houses and energy-efficient high-rises.) The event takes place on September 22, 2010 at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel, Vancouver, BC. For details, visit http://www.bcbec.com/
6 Core LUs
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
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: First Nations Brick Artwork
Until September 24, 1010
AIBC Gallery: #100 – 440 Cambie Street, Vancouver
This exhibit affords a glimpse at the history and processes involved in creating one of the most popular and traditional architectural materials: brick. In British Columbia, bricks produced by the First Nations-owned Sumas Clay Products (based in Abbotsford) have played a pivotal role in building numerous historical landmarks going back centuries, including the original construction of many Gastown buildings, the Harrison Hot Springs Hotel and the restoration of Victoria’s post office. Of late, the brick-making art form has enjoyed a resurgence – especially in light of a renewed focus on historical restoration and preservation.
Offering a uniquely west coast perspective, this exhibit showcases a select group of hand-carved brick murals designed and executed by Sumas First Nation artist Raphael Silver and his father Ray Silver. This father/son team has been developing their skills over the course of several decades in many media. Their work is representative of that typically featured in public art installations, signage, and residential interior and exterior feature walls. Works on display are destined to become permanent public artworks in various Abbotsford parks. Produced at the Sumas Clay Products brick plant, these murals continue a tradition that began there nearly a century ago.
Upcoming Exhibit: Twenty + Change
Featuring Emerging Canadian Design Practices
September 27 – October 29, 2010
AIBC Gallery: #100 – 440 Cambie Street, Vancouver
Twenty + Change: Emerging Canadian Design Practices features twenty-one emerging firms from across Canada working in architecture, landscape architecture and urban design. These projects rethink urban infrastructure, propose new models for public space and housing, and examine the unique relationship between single-family homes and their landscapes. Featured design practices include 5468796 Architecture Inc., AGATHOM Co., Altius Architecture Inc., Campos Leckie, D’Arcy Jones Design Inc., Dubbeldam Design Architects, Gow Hastings Architects Inc., Lapointe Architects, Lateral Office, Marko Simcic Architect, mcfarlane | green | biggar Architecture + Design, _naturehumaine (architecture+design), NIPpaysage, North Design Office, Paul Raff Studio, RVTR, spmb, Susan Fitzgerald Architecture, The Acre Collective, Urban Republic arts society / ph5 architecture Inc. Design firms were selected by a curatorial team consisting of Joost Bakker, Ian Chodikoff, Anne Cormier, Christine Macy and Chris Pommer.
Whistler Blackcomb - PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola
AIBC registrants can enjoy a $5.00 discount per person at the Whistler PEAK 2 PEAK gondola. For more information on this and other Club AIBC offerings, please visit http://www.aibc.intrd.com.
BC Building Codes Amendment For September
Please be advised (courtesy the provincial government) that the BC Building Codes have been amended to clarify the roles and accountabilities of individuals who sign Letters of Assurance. It was always intended that one professional signs a Letter of Assurance for each discipline. While in many situations there will be additional professionals supporting the Registered Professional of Record, these registered professionals do not sign Letters of Assurance. Revision 10 results in a number of small changes to wording throughout the code. Note: The new amendment is effective September 1, 2010.
Members and architectural firms should note that the new letters of assurance are products of extensive industry consultation, including input and review from the AIBC’s Regulatory Coordination Committee, the Practice Board and direct representation to the provincial government’s working groups. A new guide to the appropriate use of letters of assurance is being developed by the AIBC and APEGBC with publication anticipated for Fall 2010.
The revised document can be found on the BC Codes Errata and Revisions page (http://www.bccodes.ca/errata_revisions.htm). To access a printable copy for to your existing binders, click here. For those customers with online versions of the BC Codes, this amendment will be consolidated and uploaded on September 1, 2010. CD customers connected to the Internet will receive the updated version automatically after the effective date.
Maura Gatensby MAIBC
Director of Professional Services
Firehall Expertise Wanted
The Vancouver Airport Authority is looking to contact architects and architectural firms in the Metro Vancouver area with successful track records in designing firehalls. If you have such expertise, please send an e-mail to communications@aibc.ca along with a brief overview of related project history.
Architect Mentor Wanted
Architect or architectural student is being sought to mentor a Grade 10 student as part of the Vancouver School Board’s Vancouver Learning Network. The student involved, who has a passion for drawing and design, is planning to undertake an independent directed studies program focused on the skills required to become an architect, his lifelong goal. The program will be overseen by a VSB teacher to ensure the necessary learning outcomes. The mentor's main role will be to follow the student’s progress with his education plan, making suggestions and offering inspiring to explore some concepts in greater depth. This will likely involve meeting twice a month for an hour or two to share design ideas and discuss the logistics of making them workable, perhaps in the form of models or additional drawings. Exposure to the rudiments of CAD would also be beneficial. The course is slated to begin on September 7, 2010. If you are interested in this mentoring opportunity, please contact Glenn Pack at via e-mail at gpack@vsb.bc.ca.
BCDC-2 2008 Updated to Reflect the HST
Registered users of the BCDC-2 2008 document are advised that the document has been updated with regard to the Harmonized Sales Tax. To access the document visit http://www.pccbc.com/preregistration.html
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.
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.
Sustainability Dialogue
Topic: A Green Regional Economy?
Some suggest that the way to stimulate economic recovery is through a focus on the green economy. But what is a green economy and does it truly exist in our region? Should the focus be on green jobs or, as suggested by some, should we forget the green and just focus on jobs? What opportunities are presented by our new economic reality and how can we facilitate a shift toward a healthy, prosperous and resilient regional economy? Presenters at the various sessions include Jim Cox, President - Surrey City Development Corporation; Lee Davis, CEO - Evans Reade Consulting; Bruce Irvine, Senior Planner - HB Lanarc; Bernie Magnan, Chief Economist and Assistant Managing Director - Vancouver Board of Trade, Jennie Moore, Director, Sustainable Development and Environmental Stewardship – BCIT; John Restakis, Executive Director - BC Co-operative Association; John Tylee, Director, Policy and Communications - Vancouver Economic Development Commission; and Bob Williams, Director - Vancity Credit Union Board of Directors.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010 |
South |
Eaglequest Coyote Creek Golf Club |
Thursday, September 16, 2010 |
Vancouver |
SFU Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue |
Tuesday, September 21, 2010 |
North Shore |
Hollyburn Country Club |
Wednesday, September 22, 2010 |
Central Northeast |
Executive Plaza Hotel |
Healing Cities Conference
There is less than a month until the 2010 Healing Cities Conference, part of the larger Gaining Ground urban sustainability conference this October in Vancouver (see below). This integrative event will bring together architects, planners, developers, engineers, transportation professionals, massage therapists, physicians, counsellors, energy healers, spiritual leaders, and others interested in exploring how cities can be healed, and also be healing places for all of us to inhabit. Join practitioners, professionals, advocates and leaders from a variety of fields who are unified in their desire to advance the state of practice in urban sustainability. Build relationships and share ideas; your input is needed as this one-day conference explores new ways to approach the task of healing cities. For more information and to register, visit www.gaininggroundsummit.com/program.htm.
Better City, Better Life
AIBC members and associates are invited to attend the upcoming Wisdom & Wine event. Michael Geller MAIBC will share insights from the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai, which explored the theme of “Better City, Better Life”. The presentation will touch upon global trends and developments for future urban environments including prospects for Vancouver. The evening will include gourmet wine tasting and networking. It takes place Tuesday, September 14, 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. at the Terminal City Club, 837 West Hastings Street, Vancouver. To register, go to http://www.deltek.com/specialoffers/registrations.asp?cid=70170000000XEsCAAW.
Preserving Modern Architecture
Architects, engineers, urban planners, landscape architects, designers, historians and others involved with the built environment are invited to attend a national conference on heritage preservation from October 14-17, 2010 at the Université du Québec à Montréal. Titled “Preserving Modern Architecture in Quebec, Canada and Elsewhere: Heritage Challenges and the Mobilization of Knowledge”, the goal of this conference is to provide an update on the conservation of the modern built heritage in Quebec and the rest of Canada, a heritage characterized by its abundance, unfamiliarity, fragility, and obsolescence. The patrimonialization of a built environment born of the modernist values of newness and universalism is no easy task, given its often negative associations with traditions and heritage preservation measured against the yardsticks of identity, and with the goals of sustainable development, one of the central societal challenges of this century. This event will delve deeper into the theoretical, methodological, and technical problems and the cultural and political issues raised by modern heritage conservation by focusing on two themes: the heritage challenges posed by modern buildings, civil engineering works, urban ensembles, and landscapes; and the mobilization of knowledge. For more information, please visit http://canada.icomos.org/documents/CallForPapers_EN.pdf.
Filberg House Tour
As part of its Arthur Erickson public program series, West Vancouver Museum has arranged a rare tour of the Erickson-designed Filberg House, a private residence in Comox. Designed in 1958, the Filberg House is considered to be one of Erickson’s finest residential designs. Located on a sea-side bluff with spectacular views overlooking Hornby and Denman islands, it has been described as "the most beautiful house in Canada". This one-day trip to Vancouver Island includes stops at Milner Gardens and Woodland in Qualicum Beach prior to visiting the Filberg House. Participants also have the option of visiting two more architecturally-significant homes near Campbell River the following day. Tour guides over the course of the weekend include Simon Scott (photographer of Arthur Erickson's buildings), Bo Helliwell MAIBC and Kim Smith MAIBC of Blue Sky Architecture, and Barry Griblin. The tour is scheduled for Saturday, September 25, and space is limited. The cost is $185 ($285 for the extended two-day tour) and includes fee includes bus transportation, admission and lunch. For more information, call (604) 925-7179.
Tickets to Home + Interior Design Show
The Vancouver Home + Interior Design Show takes place September 9-12 at the Vancouver Convention Centre. This year’s event will showcase the latest in innovative products and new ideas from some 325 retailers. Special features will share the latest trends in areas such as energy efficiency and sustainability. As a special consideration, AIBC registrants are entitled to a pair of complementary tickets to the show. Visit https://www.microspec.com/tix123/etic.cfm?code=VANHIDS10&disc=aibc and use code “AIBC”. For more information, go to http://www.vancouverhomeandinteriordesignshow.com/ME2/Sites/.
Glass Connections 2010 is a one-day session that presents the latest technologies for glass and metal professionals. The event offers a focused educational and networking event for glaziers, architects, engineers, designers, spec writers, commercial construction contractors and building owners. Seminars cover a wide range of industry-specific topics including photovoltaic technology for the glass industry, heat treatment of glass, insulating glass and manufacturing, training and retaining young glazing apprentices and Building Code Energy Efficiencies. It takes place September 30 at the Delta Hotel and Conference Centre, 4331 Dominion Street, Burnaby. For more information, click here.
Registration is now open for GreenLink 2010, a conference that aims to set realistic methods in sustainable thinking, development and action. This event will provide an arena to showcase innovative projects in green investment, clean technology and government policy. This year’s conference will also host several internationally-acclaimed speakers, including David Suzuki and Paul Harken. It takes place from October 5-6, 2010 at the Renaissance Harbourside Hotel, Vancouver. For more information or to register, visit http://www.rebootconference.com/greenlink2010/index.php.
RAIC Metro Vancouver Chapter Awards Dinner
The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada’s Metro Vancouver Chapter is proud to host its 2nd Annual Architecture Canada BC Chapter Awards Dinner on Wednesday, September 29, 2010. The evening will be a celebration of Advocates for Architecture, recognizing the contributions made by architects, emerging practitioners and the general public in the advocacy of architecture in Metro Vancouver and elsewhere in the province. The awards acknowledge those whose work and dedication to improving the built environment has made a difference and who might not be recognized through traditional architectural award programs. In addition, Bing Thom MAIBC FRAIC will present award-winning work from his firm. It takes place Wednesday, September 29, 2010 at the Italian Cultural Centre, 3075 Slocan Street, Vancouver. Open to all, tickets are $80 per person and may be purchased online or by mailing a cheque with registration information to:
RAIC Metro Vancouver Chapter
405-375 West Fifth Avenue
Vancouver B.C. V5Y 1J6
Funds raised will go towards future RAIC speaker series and advocacy of architecture in British Columbia. Seating is limited, so please register as soon as possible.
Gaining Ground Urban Sustainability Conference
The 2010 Gaining Ground urban sustainability conference, titled Eco Logical: The Power of Green Cities to Shape the Future, takes place October 4-7 in Vancouver. This three-day conference is themed around three crucial subjects: policy and industry buy-in; green economy; and complete community design and human health and well-being. It will focus on urban sustainability accomplishments and challenges, bringing together a wide network of urban sustainability practitioners who are playing key roles in numerous fields of professional and community practice. Featured speakers include Jared Blumenfeld, Director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 9 (California, the Southwest and Hawaii); Michael Dichand, CEO of Gussing Renewable Energy; and Jeff Tumlin, Urban Transportation Planner, City of San Francisco. For additional information and registration, visit the conference web site at www.gaininggroundsummit.com.
CCA Architectural Grants
The Canada Council for the Arts would like you to be aware of the October 1 application deadline for following architecture-related grant programs :
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Assistance for the Promotion of Architecture - This grant program ($50,000 maximum) assists galleries, publishers and event organizers in producing books, exhibitions, films and events on contemporary architecture. More...
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Travel Grants - This program ($500 - $2,500) supports travel to public presentations of one’s work, and for research as part of a curatorial project. More...
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JBC Watkins Award - For Canadians pursuing post-graduate studies at a foreign institution ($5,000). Please contact the CCA’s architectural officer for application forms and guidelines.
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Prix de Rome for Emerging Practitioners - This prize ($34,000) lets a recent graduate travel internationally and intern in a firm of their choice. One candidate is put forward by each accredited schools of architecture. More...
A call for proposals for the 2012 Venice Biennale in Architecture will be issued this fall, inviting galleries, schools of architecture, architecture firms as well as individual critics, curators and practitioners to submit projects for the Canadian presentation in Venice 2012. Interested parties are invited to contact the CCA’s architecture officer.
Building SustainABLE Communities Conference
The Building SustainABLE Communities Conference, hosted by The Fresh Outlook Foundation, takes place at the Delta Grand Resort & Conference Centre in Kelowna from November 15 to 18, 2010. The Fresh Outlook Foundation is a non-profit organization that applies community-based social marketing (CBSM) strategies to encourage sustainable behaviour.
With more than 100 speakers, this year’s conference provides a wide range of topics in Sustainability Planning, Pollution Prevention & Mitigation, Green Economic Development, and Community Sustainability. The program has recently been expanded and Speakers' Bios & Abstracts are now available online.
Early bird registration is available until September 17, 2010. For more information, including program and registration details, please visit www.freshoutlookfoundation.org.
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. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.
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).
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, including an online conference program and registration information, 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.)
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.
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/.
Quito Pan-American Biennale of Architecture
The Quito Pan-American Biennale of Architecture is now accepting entries from registered architects from the Americas. Held since 1978, the biennale is organized by the Colegio de Arquitectos del Ecuador (Association of Architects of Ecuador) Pichincha Province, and has grown to become a major international event. Academic lectures, exhibitions, and cultural events will also be held. Submissions are due by Friday, October 29, 2010. To download the application form, click here. Click here for more information. The event takes place from November 15 - 19, 2010 in Quito, Ecuador.
3rd International Holcim Awards
Entries are now being accepted for the 3rd International Holcim Awards. This competition, organized by the Holcim Foundation, celebrates innovative, future-oriented projects that contribute towards a more sustainable built environment. It recognizes sustainable practices in engineering, landscape and urban design, infrastructure, and materials and construction technologies. The main category is open to working professionals including architects, engineers, planners, builders and construction firms whose projects have reached an advanced stage in design with construction to take place no earlier than July 1, 2010. There is also a "Next Generation" category for students enrolled in the final year of a bachelor program, or in graduate or post-graduate programs. Entries must be submitted online by March 23, 2011. Go to www.holcimawards.org.
Northern Exposure Photo Contest
Entries are now being accepted for the Northern Exposure Photo Contest, as part of the BUILDEX 2011 Vancouver Conference & Exposition taking place February 23 and 24 at the Vancouver Convention Centre. Student and amateur photographers are invited to capture Vancouver's amazing architecture. Winning entries will have the opportunity to be featured in the BUILDEX 2011 marketing campaign and be exhibited at the tradeshow. Deadline for submissions is September 27, 2010. For more information, visit http://www.buildexvancouver.com/contest/index.htm.
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 final submission deadline of September 30, 2010. Visit the DXA web site for complete details.
Architecture Canada BC Awards for 2010
The BC Chapter of Architecture Canada has announced the recipients of its 2010 Advocacy Awards. These annual awards celebrate contributions made by architects, emerging practitioners and members of the general public in the advocacy of architecture in Metro Vancouver and British Columbia. This year, there are three recipients of the chapter’s Community Award: Gordon Price, Director of Simon Fraser University’s City Program; Simon Fraser University Chancellor Dr. Michael Stevenson; and the West Vancouver Museum under the leadership of Director / Curator Darrin Morrison, Assistant Curator Kiriko Watanabe, and Museum Educator Isaac Vanderhorst. In the Professional category recognizing an individual trained in architecture who has encouraged the profession and fostered the creation of good architecture, the recipient is architecture critic Trevor Boddy. Recipient of the Emerging Practitioner Award, given to a student, intern architect or recently registered professional whose has helped to further the appreciation of architecture and the built environment, is Steven Cox, founding principal and design director of Cause+Affect. The awards will be presented at the chapter’s annual dinner on September 29.
Is Optimism Infectious?
By Sara Stroud, Sustainable Industries
September 1, 2010
Walking into Cameron Sinclair’s office in San Francisco’s South of Market District, the first thing one notices is a whiteboard calendar mapping out worldwide travels. Executive director of Architecture for Humanity, Sinclair is, at any given time, as likely to be in Canada or Cambodia as in his San Francisco home base. More …
How to Shrink a City
Not every great metropolis is going to make a comeback. Planners consider some radical ways to embrace decline.
By Drake Bennett, Boston Globe
September 5, 2010
Since cities first got big enough to require urban planning, its practitioners have focused on growth. From imperial Rome to 19th-century Paris and Chicago and up through modern-day Beijing, the duty of city planners and administrators has been to impose order as people flowed in, buildings rose up, and the city limits extended outward into the hinterlands. More …
Building as a Verb: Designing a Building That Works Harder for You
By Tom McKeag, Greener Design
September 8, 2010
What do you get when you throw 60 young architects into a room for 10 days and teach them new parametric software tools, concepts about bio-inspired design, and give them a bunch of servo-motors, sensors and actuators to play with? Well, you get some pretty excited designers, for one thing, and you get some pretty interesting results, for another. More …
Burt Hill Acquired by Stantec
By Tim Schooley, Pittsburgh Business Times
September 9, 2010
Burt Hill, the Pittsburgh area’s largest architect firm, is being acquired by the largest architecture firm in Canada. Edmonton, Alberta-based Stantec, a publicly traded firm that reached $1.5 billion in revenue last year, announced today that it has a letter of intent to buy the shares of Burt Hill, a merger that would accompany another recent acquisition of San Francisco-based Anshen + Allen, adding 800 staff to the 10,000-employee company. More …