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The Canada Council for the Arts is now accepting submissions proposing the Canadian representation at the 2012 Venice Biennale in Architecture. More...
September 24, 2010
In Passing: Donald Leigh Thomas
Don Thomas, a former MAIBC, passed away on August 27, 2010. Born in Wales in 1932, Don later graduated from the Welsh School of Architecture in Cardiff. He moved to Vancouver in 1957, became an associate member of the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1962, and joined the AIBC in 1965. During his career he worked for the firms John Lovatt Davies; Gardiner, Thornton & Gathe; Rhone & Iredale; William Wilding architects; and Francis Donaldson Architect, as well as with the Vancouver School Board. Don established a name as a noted Specification Consultant, earning membership in the College of Fellows of Construction Specifications Canada. Prior to that, he spent 15 years as a representative on CSC’s Architects, Engineers and Contractors Joint Advisory Committee. He established his own business in Vancouver in 1970 before resigning in from the AIBC in 1986 when he took on consulting work in Kuwait. He is survived by his daughter Sian and son David.
Information Session for Foreign-registered Architects and Alternatively Qualified Individuals
The AIBC’s Registration & Licensing Department is hosting an information session for anyone registered as an architect outside of 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 Friday, October 1, 2010 from 12:00 noon – 1:30 p.m. in the AIBC large boardroom (#100 - 440 Cambie Street, Vancouver). Those interested in attending are asked to r.s.v.p. to Manager of Registration & 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 attend. Attendees are advised to review the information on the institute’s foreign-trained architect registration process prior to the session by visiting www.aibc.ca/fta. Note: lunch will not be provided so please feel free to bring your own.
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 & 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 / Architecture Canada 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 Architecture 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...
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.
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 2010 PD/CES Course Schedule and Registration Form are available online at www.aibc.ca/member_resources/professional_dev/index.html.
Construction Specifications Canada
Principles of Construction Documentation
This ten-week stand alone course is also a prerequisite for the Technical Representative, Specification Writer and Construction Contract Administrator courses. This course is designed for individuals involved in the construction industry who, at any point in their careers, are required to produce, read, supply products for, or rely on, the project manual/specification. In other words, it is designed for anyone in construction, whether they work as a designer, consultant, specifier, contractor or supplier. It is an introductory course that will provide participants with a better understanding of construction documentation (specifications, drawings and schedules), products, bidding procedures and contracts. It is also pre-cursor to all other CSC education courses. Note: new start date of Monday, September 27, 7:00 (sharp) to 9:30 p.m. at the Vancouver Regional Construction Association Boardroom, 3636 East 4th Avenue, Vancouver (off Boundary behind McDonald’s Restaurant on Broadway/Lougheed). The cost is $750 + HST ($650 + HST for CSC members). For details, or to register, please visit http://www.csc-vancouver.ca/or email info@csc-vancouver.ca.
20 Core LUs
SFU City Program
Stewart Brand and "Whole Earth Discipline" — the Eco-pragmatist's Manifesto
Whether you realize it or not, your awareness of the world has been influenced by Stewart Brand. Brand thought an image of our planet might be a powerful symbol, so in 1966 he campaigned to have NASA release the then-rumoured satellite image of the entire earth as seen from space. He distributed buttons (for 25 cents each) asking, “Why haven't we seen a photograph of the whole Earth yet?” In 1968, a NASA astronaut made the photo public. Not coincidentally, Earth Day was first celebrated two years later. Today, Brand is on the board of the Santa Fe Institute, and maintains connections with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Wired magazine, Ecotrust, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Media Lab. A noted author, his most recent publication is Whole Earth Discipline, a provocative book that is likely to make one question the entire range of thinking on the state of the earth and how we should respond. Brand will be speaking on Monday, October, 4, 7:00 p.m. at the Milton and Fei Wong Experimental Theatre, SFU Woodwards, 149 West Hastings Street, Vancouver. This is a free presentation. However, reservations are required. For more information or to register, please visit http://websurvey.sfu.ca/survey/64272363.
2 Non-core LUs
Acting Local: Municipal Government Responses to Climate Change
In addition to development-permit powers, what can local government do to meet ambitious greenhouse-gas reduction targets? This course will use a “climate change” lens to review the broad range of existing local-government bylaws. For instance, do siting regulations prevent the positioning of a building to take maximum advantage of solar exposure? Is there still a bylaw on the books requiring the clearing of vegetation from vacant lots? Are there too many incentives in the zoning bylaw to demolish and replace existing buildings instead of adaptively re-using them? The course will also explore new types of bylaw provisions, describing their scope and potential application to energy or water conservation as well as greenhouse-gas reduction. Other subjects include providing core bylaw wording; identifying typical bylaw drafting and enforcement issues; and providing links to existing local government bylaws. It will also explore what other jurisdictions are doing, so that local government resources can focus on areas where they are uniquely positioned to achieve results. The course takes place Friday, October 22, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Ambrosia Conference and Event Centre, 638 Fisgard Street, Victoria. For more information or to register, please visit http://www.sfu.ca/city/course9popup.htm.
6 Non-core LUs
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 from 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
For a complete list of SFU City Program course offerings, please visit http://www.sfu.ca/city/courses.htm.
AIBC Vancouver Island Chapter Meeting
Hilti Firestop Seminar
The next chapter meeting will include a seminar from Hilti Firestop that looks at:
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life safety and how compartmentalization (firestopping) fits in with detection and suppression
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Hilti Firestop products and current firestopping innovation
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typical firestopping solutions for the different trades
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firestopping of combustible penetrants and the variety of systems available
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examples of poor firestopping and of good firestopping found on jobsites
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how to manage the firestopping process on your job and how to avoid pitfalls
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field review of installed Firestop and how to make the process effective
It is scheduled for Tuesday, September 28, 2010, 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. at the Ambrosia Conference and Event Centre, 638 Fisgard Street, Victoria. There is no charge for this event. However, you must confirm your attendance by September 24 to donwlovell@gmail.com.
1 Core LU
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
Cascadia Region Green Building Council
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
October 21-22 9.00AM – 5.00PM
Instructor: Doug Horn, Asct CEA LEED AP, Principle, Efficient Resource Solutions
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. Register online at http://retscreenoct21-22.eventbrite.com/ or contact Helen Carruthers at (604) 909-9560 or helenc@sustainablebuildingcentre.com to pay by cash or cheque.
13 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. 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.
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.
2012 Venice Biennale in Architecture
The Canada Council for the Arts is now accepting submissions proposing the Canadian representation at the 2012 Venice Biennale in Architecture. The proposed presentation should communicate excellence, innovation, and currency in contemporary Canadian architecture including buildings, landscapes and places, or in works of critical and (or) design research on architecture, landscape architecture or the urban environment. The successful applicant will have responsibilities in all aspects of the Canadian presentation, including:
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conception, design and production of the exhibition;
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shipping, insurance, installation and dismantling of the exhibition;
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opening, closing, operation and staffing of the Canada Pavilion;
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coordination with the National Gallery of Canada, the administration of the Venice Biennale and the Canadian Embassy in Italy;
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promotion and media relations; and
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opening ceremonies
The selected applicant will be responsible for delivering the proposed project, without substantial alteration, while assuming responsibility for expenses incurred by the project beyond the envelope provided by the Canada Council. Note: a new structure is being developed to assist, and potentially take on some of the responsibilities currently assigned to the successful applicant. However, the nature and extent of this structure will only be known at a later date. The selected team may be invited to take part in the conception and implementation of this structure.
The nominal applicant must be an incorporated Canadian organization, institution, or registered business, and the project team must include professional expertise and experience in contemporary Canadian architecture. Submissions will be assessed by a committee composed of experienced professionals chosen for their specialized knowledge in contemporary Canadian architecture, landscape architecture, the urban environment, and public exhibitions. Selection will be made according to the following criteria:
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the architectural merit of the works to be represented;
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the capacity of the project to capture the attention of visitors, convey the presentation’s key ideas and promote contemporary Canadian works of architecture to a broad and diverse public;
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the feasibility of the project, including the likelihood that the proposal will be realized in its integrity, with a special focus on anticipated costs and realism of fundraising expectations; and
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the demonstrated capacity of the applicant to complete projects of this nature in an expedient, responsible, and professional manner.
Interested parties are invited to contact the Program Officer Brigitte Desrochers (e-mail: brigitte.desrochers@canadacouncil.ca; phone: 1-800-263-5588) to receive an information package and discuss the specific challenges of this event. The deadline for submissions is December 6, 2010.
Stirling Lecture Prize Winner
The Canadian Centre for Architecture, in collaboration with the Cities Programme of the London School of Economics and Political Science, has announced Professor Gerald Frug as the recipient of the Stirling Lecture Prize. Professor Frug is a Professor of Law at Harvard Law School and a leading expert on the legal structure of urban governance in the United States. He was chosen for his project entitled “The Architecture of Governance”, which will analyze problems facing the organization of cities around the world and will attempt to describe the design of the governance system in a way that makes it recognizable to architects and other designers. His emphasis on design will bring a familiar architectural focus to a different kind of structure. The bi-annual James Stirling Memorial Lectures on the City competition is a forum for the advancement of new critical perspectives on the role of urban design and urban architecture in the development of cities worldwide. This year’s jury decided unanimously to award Professor Frug on the basis of the excellence of his research and writings on urban governance and the relevance of his proposed lecture to the current debate on the future of the city in the 21st Century. He will be speaking in Montreal in October and London, England later in the fall. Details can be found at www.cca.qc.ca/stirling.
Prince Rupert Architecture
The City of Prince Rupert’s Heritage Advisory Committee has published Heritage Walking Tours, a guide book for walking tours through the northern community. The project, which came about largely through the diligence of Alora Griffin MAIBC MRAIC LEED AP, profiles various heritage buildings in celebration of the city’s 100th anniversary. The 64-page book includes images and overviews that touch upon the wide range of architectural styles found in Prince Rupert. The cost is $15, with proceeds going towards the restoration of the Pillsbury House, the first residence built in Prince. For more information or to purchase a copy, contact Alora at architect@citytel.net.
BC Building Code: Important Changes to Letters of Assurance
The BC Building Code 2006 has been amended to clarify the roles and accountabilities of registered professionals who sign letters of assurance. These changes, referred to as Revision 10, are effective September 1, 2010. Members are strongly advised to carefully review these code changes, the newly revised Guide to Letters of Assurance in the BC Building Code 2006 and the AIBC's newly-issued Practice Note 16: Professional Design and Field Review by Supporting Registered Professionals before issuing any letters of assurance.
Maura Gatensby MAIBC
Director of Professional Services
Funding for Facilitating Foreign-trained Architects
The federal government has announced $1.6 million in funding to facilitate the licensing of foreign-trained architects. The funding will be directed to Architecture Canada (formerly the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada) for its Integration of Broadly Experienced Foreign Architects in Canada project. The goal of the project is to establish a fair, efficient and timely pan-Canadian system for evaluating and licensing architects with international education and work experience, making it easier for internationally-trained architects arriving in Canada to find work in their field. Architecture Canada will be working with Athabasca University to develop bridge-to-work programs and language training courses through its new Centre of Architecture. The initiative is part of the federal Pan-Canadian Framework for the Assessment and Recognition of Foreign Qualifications, under which recognition of foreign credentials and experience will be streamlined for eight priority occupations including architects. As a result, foreign-trained workers who apply to be licensed or registered will be advised within one year whether or not their qualifications will be recognized, or any additional requirements.
HBBH Now Part of DIALOG
Vancouver-based Hotson Bakker Boniface Haden architects + urbanistes has merged with three other Canadian businesses to form a new business entity known as DIALOG. It includes the former Cohos Evamy in Calgary, Toronto designers Mole White & Associates, and the Office for Urbanism, an urban planning and design group also based in Toronto. The move is intended to create a vital national professional practice built upon a multidisciplinary approach committed to collaborative design.
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 EQuilibrium™ Housing Initiative demonstration homes in B.C. to be completed and opened for public tours, and the eighth to open across Canada. The Kamloops home, which combines state-of-the-art energy-efficient design and construction techniques with renewable energy production, was designed by Dale Parkes MAIBC and 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. For more information, visit http://www.greendreamhome.ca/default.htm.
The Word On The Street
The Word On The Street Vancouver 2010 takes place Sunday, September 26 at Library Square and CBC Plaza. Now in its sixteenth year, this event features a full day of free author events, exhibits, music and comedy performances along with a marketplace, all meant to promote reading and writing. Festival-goers can choose from hundreds of diverse readings by Canadian authors and poets. One of the featured sessions has Matthew Soules MAIBC and Adele Weder speaking on the Guidebook to Contemporary Architecture in Vancouver (Douglas & McIntyre, $24.95). Elaborating on the essays in the book, Soules and Weder will discuss the underpinnings that have brought forth the city’s distinctive architecture and urbanism, and its impact on our urban culture. Their presentation will be followed by a short walking tour of downtown architecture. Check out www.thewordonthestreet.ca/vancouver for the most up-to-date festival information.
SALA / SCARP Design Team Announcement
The University of British Columbia’s School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture and School of Community and Regional Planning will be hosting a public reception to introduce the design team selected to create a new facility for the two schools. The reception takes place public at the Museum of Vancouver, 1100 Chestnut Street, on Wednesday, October 20, 2010, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. The proposed new facility will house both SALA and SCARP in one location on the UBC Vancouver (Point Grey) campus. The estimated $26 million venue will support integrated education and research in planning and design. The creation of a state-of-the-art sustainable building will provide a visible demonstration of the very best in design excellence and environmentally responsible practice. The reception will also be an opportunity for the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture will also introduce its new director, Professor Leslie Van Duzer. All members of the design and planning community, alumni and the general public are invited to join in celebrating these exciting milestones for the architecture, landscape architecture and planning community.
Smart Energy Lecture
On Wednesday, September 29, the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions, Simon Fraser University and the University of British Columbia will present a free public lecture featuring Dr. Nancy Olewiler and Dr. John Robinson. The lecture will explore smart energy systems. Participants will learn how such systems can offer sustainable solutions at the urban scale, reduce GHGs and promote more livable regions. The lecture will take place from 7:00 – 9: 00 p.m. at UBC Robson Square, 800 Robson Street, Vancouver. A live web stream will also be available at www.pics.uvic.ca/events.php.
World Expo Presentation
On Wednesday, October 20, the Themed Attraction Association of Canada will present author and World Expo expert Gordon Linden AIA AICP. Mr. Linden will explore facets of World Expo planning and execution principles gained over his four decades of experience, and highlight opportunities for architects, designers, planners and builders. The presentation will also touch upon the current Shanghai 2010 event as well as Edmonton's bid for Expo 2017. It takes place from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. at the Creekside Community Centre, 1 Athletes Way, Vancouver. Tickets are $52 ($42 for TAA members, associate members and spouses) and include a reception and no-host bar. Click here to access the registration form.
CEBC Health Authorities Event
The Consulting Engineers of British Columbia invite you to attend a health authorities presentation and mixer. This event will be of particular interest to those members and associates who work in the health care sector. Presentations will outline the capital plans, organizational structure and upcoming major projects of BC's health authorities. Featured speakers include Mauricio Acosta, Director - Energy & Environmental Sustainability, Facilities Management for the Fraser Health Authority, Providence Health Care, Provincial Health Services Authority and Vancouver Coastal Health Authority; Marco Buccini MAIBC, Executive Director - Facilities Planning & Real Estate, Fraser Health Authority; and Dave Mackintosh, Director - Capital Projects, Facilities Management - Capital Implementation for the Fraser Health Authority, Providence Health Care, Provincial Health Services Authority and Vancouver Coastal Health Authority. It takes place Tuesday, October 5 at the Fairmont Waterfront in Vancouver. For more information and to register, visit http://www.cebc.org/subcalendar/event.php?event_id=37 or contact Ms. Alla Samusevich at (604) 687-2811.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
For more information, including program and registration details, please visit www.freshoutlookfoundation.org.
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 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.
2011 Architecture Canada Award Submissions
Architecture Canada is now accepting submissions for its 2011 Awards of Excellence as well as the annual Governor General's Medals in Architecture, Architectural Firm Award, Young Architect Award and Prix du XXE siècle. Under the Awards of Excellence Program, awards are given every two years in the categories of Advocate for Architecture, Allied Arts Medal, Green Building, and Innovation in Architecture. For detailed information on the various award categories and submission process, please visit www.raic.org. The deadline for submissions to the Awards of Excellence Program is December 9, 2010. The deadline for the other 2011 awards is January 13, 2011.
Call for Nominations:
UBC Margolese National Design for
Living Prize
The University of British Columbia Faculty of Applied Science is proud to announce the inaugural call for nominations for the UBC Margolese National Design for Living Prize. The $50,000 prize will be awarded annually to a Canadian who has made outstanding contributions to the development or improvement of living environments for Canadians from all economic classes. You are invited to nominate your most distinguished and accomplished colleagues. The Faculty of Applied Science is confirming a prestigious committee of nationally and internationally recognized experts from academia and the design profession who will assist in selecting the first recipient of the UBC Margolese National Design for Living Prize, to be announced early in 2011. This year’s nomination deadline is October 22, 2010. For detailed information about how to submit a nomination, please visit: www.apsc.ubc.ca/awards/margolese.
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 DX web site for complete details.
CCBFFC Appointment for Thorkelsson
Paul Thorkelsson MAIBC MRAIC has been appointed to the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes for the next cycle of the National Building Codes. Thorkelsson, General Manager - Development Services for the Regional District of Nanaimo, will serve a five-year term that encompasses the 2015 code cycle. His new duties take effect in March 2011 following completion of his tem on the national Standing Committee on Energy Efficiency in Buildings.
The Impact of the Built Environment on Public Health
By Betsy del Monte and Gary Lawrence, Design Intelligence
August 31, 2010
Americans are fatter than ever. How much can good design accomplish toward a slimming down of the population? An individual’s general health is a function of several factors, including nutrition, environmental toxicity, exercise, and heredity. One of the major indicators of poor health is obesity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has noted a dramatic increase in obesity in the United States in the past 20 years. In 2008, 32 states had a prevalence of obesity of 25 percent or more; six of these states had a prevalence of 30 percent or more. As a nation, we are increasingly fat and unhealthy. More …
Seven Rules for Sustainable Communities
How city design can help save the planet. First in a series from a vital new urban planning handbook
By Patrick M. Condon, TheTyee.ca
September 15, 2010
In 2002, scientists sounded the alarm about the loss of ice on the Arctic Ocean. Global warming was affecting the Arctic climate more rapidly than anyone had previously thought possible. They predicted that if nothing was done to curb the level of greenhouse gas pouring into the atmosphere there might be no summer ice covering the North Pole by 2050. More …
Is Hamilton Ready For Frank Gehry?
By Christopher Hume, Toronto Star
September 15, 2010
Hamilton may not be the kind of town you’d expect to find Frank Gehry, but until recently the same could have been said of Bilbao. The prospect of having the world’s most celebrated architect design something for Steeltown was raised this week by Richard Abboud, president of Toronto-based real estate firm, Forum Equity Partners. Abboud told the Hamilton Spectator that he has been in touch with Gehry, who affirmed his interest in the idea. More …
Toronto City Hall: How Finnish Architecture Rebranded a City
By Lisa Rochon, Globe and Mail
September 18, 2010
Made modern: That was what happened to Toronto when it launched a 1958 international design competition and landed an emerging star of Finnish modernism, Viljo Revell, to design its futuristic City Hall. More …
Architects' Workloads Continue to Fall
By Elizabeth Hopkirk, Building Design UK
September 22, 2010
Workloads have fallen for the sixth consecutive month, according to the latest RIBA Future Trends survey. The number of practices expecting an increase in workload has fallen and nearly a third expected their workload to decrease in August. The survey predicts a further decline in work for architects over the next quarter. There continues to be little evidence of a recovery in employment prospects for salaried architects, with only 4% of practices expecting an increase in staff in August. More …