President's MessageDecember 7, 2011
Dear Colleagues, There are factors embedded in the culture of the profession, including within the Internship in Architecture Program that are impeding the progress of young architects and interns. This is most intensely apparent when you look at the statistics relating to women. They reflect an unhealthy, historic imbalance, one that will undoubtedly come back to haunt us. For instance, I’ve heard anecdotal evidence that many firms (my own included) are top heavy with baby boomers and very light in competent practitioners between the ages of 35 and 50. As a result, those of us contemplating retirement any time soon may not be able to find enough younger architects to take over our practice. This is but one important area of concern for the profession. That is why AIBC Council has focused its energy on the future of the profession, investigating, on a number of fronts, various means by which a positive shift might occur. A case in point: The AIBC recently ratified an inter-provincial agreement to revise and align the Internship in Architecture Program across the country. The new provisions reduce the requirement of 5600 core and discretionary hours over three years to 3720 core hours over two years. This change will be in place for new IAs entering the program in 2012. On a second front, the AIBC has entered into discussions regarding the possibility of British Columbia adopting the Examination for Architects in Canada (ExAC). When these made-in Canada examinations for intern architects were introduced in 2006, the AIBC identified several factors that precluded its participation. New directions for NCARB and changing circumstance for ExAC suggest the time is right to revisit that decision. The AIBC has sent a letter of interest to ExAC’s founding provinces, and has received some information in reply that is now being considered. There are important factors to consider, including cost implications and the mutual recognition agreement with NCARB. AIBC Council will weigh these factors in the coming months before making a decision that supports what is best for B.C.’s intern architects. Another culture shift taking place concerns the revision of AIBC Bulletin 61: Seal of an Architect, foreseeably allowing non-principal architects working within a firm to sign off on, and professionally seal, documents. This is a long-standing issue that has come up for discussion repeatedly in the past but has yet to be satisfactorily resolved. Impetus for change has continued to come from both established architects and intern architects. The idea of someone other than a firm’s partner delivering the stamp of approval is a fair distance removed from the century-old origins of the stamp and seal, but much more in keeping with the realities of today’s workplace and modern business practices. A revised bulletin may make note of recommended terms and conditions under which the continuing employee’s seal should or must be applied, including (among other things) liability insurance protection; appropriate agreement with the firm; and the reasonable expectation that this added responsibility would also bring increased compensation. Your council expects to see recommendations for a revised bulletin in short order, with possible approval as early as February of 2012. AIBC Council has itself experienced a shifting culture. I think it is significant that half of our elected council members this year are women - the first time, I believe, this has ever happened. It sets a good example, and sends a good message. As previously noted, women represent half of today’s architecture students. Approximately 40% of IAs are women. However, in a typical year, two men are registered for every woman. In British Columbia, only 11% of registered architects are women, and about 2% of senior directors of firms are women. Revisions to the Intern Architect Program, changes to professional exams and new standards for the use of the seal might have some moderate effect on these alarming statistics. I suspect, however, that the problem is deeper than that. Historically, the practice of architecture has been hard on working parents (as I can personally attest), and women in the profession have unfortunately borne the brunt of it. According to the feedback from the members (both men and women) gathered following the conference presentation, this is of primary concern. The time has come to change this syndrome for the better, and your council representatives welcome your ideas and suggestions for bringing it about. Let us know what we, as a forward-thinking profession, might do to encourage a culture that is supportive of the parents of young children, and women in particular. Meanwhile, the business of the institute continues. You will soon be receiving your annual fee invoices for 2012. Your invoice will reflect a modest 3.2% increase approved by AIBC Council to cover cost-of-living growth, applied equally across all registrant categories, as part of its balanced operating budget for 2012. The actual dollar effect is in the range of $28 per member and $10 per small firm. While it would have been preferable to all to have no fee increase, this is simply the cost of doing business in today’s reality – something to which members of our profession can surely relate. This information will arrive electronically and can be found in summary form in Bulletin 1 (2012). Before signing off, I want to take this opportunity to thank the members of the 2010/2011 New and Diverse Members Working Group for their hard work. This group, which developed the report and information referenced above, consisted of Nathaniel Nacionales, IA (the profoundly effective chair); architects Veronica Gillies and Joan Hendriks; AIBC Manager of Registration Róisín O’Neill; and myself. The newly-constituted New and Diverse Members Working Group for 2011/2012 includes Veronica, Joan and me, along with David Ziebin IA. We are committed to carrying on with the project as one of council’s high priorities. Lastly, allow me to wish you all a happy and restful holiday season, and an abundance of interesting projects and resulting prosperity in the New Year.
Sincerely,
|
 |
 |
 |
|
 |