Pram In The Hall

Pram in the Hall is a series of interviews with some individuals who are raising families while practicing as design professionals. The interviews are not necessarily intended to be messages of encouragement or cautionary tales, but a means of raising important issues through a set of candid conversations.

The fourth and final installment of testimonials for the Pram In The Hall is now online. Click here.

 

In Passing: Ron Howard

Previously registered member Ron Howard passed away on Wednesday, November 24 at the age of 77 after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Ron was born and raised in Vancouver. He graduated from the University of British Columbia’s School of Architecture In 1957 and joined the AIBC in 1960, starting up his own firm shortly after. Building on his early success, he established Howard Yano Architects, later to become Howard Bingham Hill. Excelling in schools, community centres and other public institutions, Ron’s lasting contributions to the local cityscape include Langara College, Emily Carr College of Art + Design, and Kitsilano Pool. He spent time as an AIBC representative to the Ministry of Education’s Facilities Task Force. An avid skier, he also designed the Rendezvous Lodge, day skier lodge and Monk’s Grill at Blackcomb. Ron was also instrumental in the development of the AIBC’s Tariff of Fees. He retired from practice in 2000.

Predeceased by his wife Barbara, he is survived by son Geoff (Marie Claire), daughter Lisa (Jamie), and son Tim (Julie). A more comprehensive summary of Ron’s life is available through the Bingham + Hill architects web site (click here).

 

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.

 

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.

Click here for more.

Maura Gatensby MAIBC
Director of Professional Services

 

Revised Energy Efficiency Act

New Retrofit Standards for Commercial, Industrial, Institutional and Residential Buildings

As of January 1, 2011, province’s the Energy Efficiency Act will regulate commercial, industrial, institutional and residential buildings (five storeys and higher or greater than 600 metres squared). The regulation will cover the retrofit of existing buildings which do not undertake ASHRAE compliance (e.g. building envelop renovation of mid-rise condominium buildings). New buildings that undertake ASHRAE 90.1 compliance as covered by the British Columbia Building Code will be exempt. The amended regulations can be found online at http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/10_389_93.

 

Enhanced Language Training for Architects

The Immigrant Services Society of British Columbia has introduced a new pilot program to support foreign-trained architects. Enhanced Language Training for Architects will help participants Improve their working language levels, be better prepared to work without communication and cultural problems, and gain confidence in undertaking complex tasks and management positions. This course is ideally suited for foreign-trained architects with a Canadian Language Benchmark level no lower than 6, as well as landed immigrants, permanent residents and Canadian citizens who required improved language skills for their profession. Canadian Language Benchmark levels can be determined through testing offered by ISSofBC. Continuous intake for this program runs from January 17 to April 11, 2011, and participants can choose sessions ranging from four to 17 weeks. Morning, afternoon and evening classes are available on both part-time and full-time schedules. Note: there is no course fee, and space is limited. For more information, contact Project Coordinator Camilla Dietrich (Phone: (604) 684-2561 ext. 1182; e-mail:  camilla.dietrich@issbc.org) or Registrar Kristin Chow (phone: (604) 684-2561 ext. 1188; e-mail:  kristin.chow@issbc.org), or go online to www.issbc.org.

 

Public Review for the 2011 BC Building Code

AIBC registrants are invited to participate in the public review for the 2011 BC Building Code. (Note: the AIBC will be providing a formal response) This public review focuses on recommended variations from the model 2010 National Building Code. The purpose of this public review is to gather feedback on 14 variations that are being recommended by the Building and Safety Standards Branch of the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General. The feedback you provide will be considered in the development of the 2011 BC Building Code expected to take effect in the fall of 2011. The opportunity to participate in the public review will continue until December 21, 2010. The online public review is hosted through the Building and Safety Standards Branch web site: http://www.housing.gov.bc.ca/building/consultation/code_variations/index.html. If you have any questions, please contact Codes Administrator Jarrett Hutchinson at telephone (250) 356-8163 or email codequestion@gov.bc.ca.

 

BC Building Code Amendment: Cementitious Materials

The British Columbia Building Code has been amended to update the CAN/CSA – A3001 “Cementitious Materials for Use in Concrete” information to the 2008 edition. This standard will now include a new class of cement: Portland-Limestone Cement (PLC).  While concrete using PLC will have similar strength and durability characteristics to those achieved with existing cements, the PLC manufacturing process creates approximately 10% less greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional cement manufacturing process. The code now permits, but does not require, the use of PLC. Note: updating to the 2009 edition of CSA A23.1 ”Concrete Materials and Methods of Concrete Construction Standard” is a consequential amendment resulting from the updating of CAN/CSA – A3001. The new amendment came into effect November 25, 2010. To access it, click here for a PDF version, or visit the BC Codes Errata and Revisions web page at http://www.bccodes.ca/errata_revisions.htm. For those with online versions of the BC Building Codes, this amendment will be consolidated and uploaded by early next week. For CD customers, the upload will automatically install after December 8. Please ensure your computer is connected to the Internet. For questions or concerns, contact BC Codes Customer Service at 1-800-663-6150.

 

BCIT Architectural Science Degree 2010 Graduating Projects

Now until December 22, 2010
AIBC Gallery: #100 – 440 Cambie Street, Vancouver

Make plans to attend the annual grad show for the British Columbia Institute of Technology’s Bachelor of Technology in Architectural Science program. This four-year baccalaureate degree program provides the architectural and engineering communities with graduates while also allowing students to ladder to a professional degree such as a Master of Architecture. This year’s graduating projects include Aural SFU (a music school); Centre for Ceramics; and a Community College for White Rock. For further information about the exhibit or program, contact Program Head Peter Levar MAIBC MRAIC at plevar@bcit.ca.

 

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.

 

IMAGINiT Technologies

Autodesk® Revit® Architecture Fundamentals

Revit Architecture is a powerful Building Information Modeling (BIM) program that works the way architects think. From preliminary design through design development and into construction documents, the program streamlines the design process with a central 3D model. Changes made in one view update across all views and on the printable sheets. This student guide program is designed to teach Revit functionality as you would work with it in the design process. It begins with learning about the user interface and Revit commands for design development, followed by those available for construction documentation. Since building projects themselves tend to be extremely complex, Revit Architecture is a necessarily complex program. The objective of Autodesk Revit Architectural Fundamentals is to enable participants to create full 3D architectural project models and set them up in working drawings. This program focuses on basic tools that the majority of users will require to work with Revit. This four-day course takes place Tuesday to Friday, December 11-14, 2012, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at 180 – 10691 Shellbridge Way, Richmond. Register online at http://rww.force.com/training/RWW_IMAGINiT_Training_CourseDetails?id=a0N700000088Lf7EAE.

28 Core LUs

 

Autodesk Ecotect Analysis

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

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

Association of Professional Engineers & Geoscientists of BC

On Tuesday, December 14, 2010 the Association of Professional Engineers & Geoscientists of BC and the Architectural Institute of British Columbia will jointly host a seminar examining key impacts resulting from recent revisions to the Letters of Assurance (LOA) in the BC Building Code (BCBC). Effective September 1, 2010, the LOA were amended by Ministerial Order M-214. These new LOA, including all relevant revisions to the BCBC, apply to all projects involving a building permit application submitted on or after September 1, 2010.

Seminar Instructors:

• Maura Gatensby, MAIBC, Director of Professional Services – Architectural Institute of British Columbia
• David Miachika, LLB, P.Eng., Partner – Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG)
• Peter R. Mitchell, P.Eng., Director, Professional Standards & Development – Association of Professional Engineers & Geoscientists of BC
• Bob Thompson, Senior Codes Administrator, Building & Safety Standards Policy & Research Division – Ministry of Housing & Social Development
• Barry Thorson, P.Eng, C.P., B.R. Thorson Consulting Ltd.
• Jim Weber, Manager of Building Bylaws and Licensing – City of Port Moody

Cost:

• APEGBC and AIBC members (until November 30, 2010): $239.00 + HST = $267.68
• APEGBC and AIBC members (after November 30, 2010): $299.00 + HST = $334.88
• Non-members: $299.00 + HST = $334.88
• Member Advantage Program for Students (MAPS) and AIBC Intern Architects and
  Architectural Students: $149.50 + HST = $167.44

Note: The event will begin with registration and hot breakfast (8:00 – 8:30 a.m.) followed by the seminar itself (8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.). It will take place at Hyatt Regency Vancouver (655 Burrard Street) and via webcast. To register, go to www.apeg.bc.ca/prodev/events/loa2.html. For more information, click here or call (604) 430-8035.
4 Core LUs

 

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 (mgatensby@aibc.ca).

 

Save the Date: 2011 AIBC / Architecture Canada | RAIC Conference & Festival of Architecture

May 24 – 27, 2011
Vancouver Convention Centre

Save the date for the 2011 AIBC Annual Conference, being held in conjunction with the annual Architecture Canada | RAIC Festival of Architecture. Over four days, this event will bring together architects and allied professionals from around the province and across 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 shortly; please check back regularly: www.aibc.ca. Sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities are also available. To learn more, please call (604) 683-8588 ext 331.