Canadian Architect Awards of Excellence for B.C Firms

Canadian Architect magazine has announced the winners of its 2010 Awards of Excellence, given each year to architects and architectural graduates for buildings in the design stage. Among the six recipients of an Award of Excellence is Cannon Design for the Capilano Film Centre in North Vancouver, and Patkau Architects Inc. for the Cottages at Fallingwater in Mill Run, Pennsylvania. Four merit awards and two student awards were also granted. This year’s winners were selected by a jury consisting of James Cheng MAIBC (James KM Cheng Architects, Vancouver); Andrew King M.Arch (Cannon Design, Calgary); and Janna Levitt OAA (Levitt Goodman Architects, Toronto). The awards recognize design excellence with consideration for response to the program, site, geographical and social context, and evaluated physical organization, structure, materials and environmental features. Detailed coverage can be found in the December 2010 issue of the magazine.

Cross-Laminated Timber Symposium

You are invited to take part in the Cross-Laminated Timber Symposium from February 8-9, 2011 at the Vancouver Convention Centre. Cross-laminated timber (CLT) panel, also known as a solid wood panel, is one of the new products recently introduced to the wood construction sector, and one of the most discussed wood products in B.C. and across the country. You can be one of the first to learn about this innovative product, and receive the new Cross-Laminated Timber Handbook, which provides key technical information related to its manufacturing, design and performance in construction. This two-day symposium, presented by Wood WORKS! BC, BC Wood and FPInnovations, offers a unique opportunity to discover how CLT can enhance and benefit your projects. Expert speakers from Austria, Italy and the United Kingdom will cover all major aspects relating to CLT panels. The deadline for registration is 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 2, 2011. Go online to www.wood-works.org/BC/Timber. For more information, contact Lorna Malone by phone (1-877-929-9663, ext. 4) or e-mail (lmalone@wood-works.ca).
9 Core LUs

Density And Urbanity

By John Parman, Living Urbanism

December 10, 2010

Early in 2010, San Francisco witnessed another skirmish over density. This one involved a proposal to replace an existing building on the same block as the 48-story, 850-foot-high Transamerica Pyramid (1972). Located at the corner of Sansome and Washington Streets, along the north edge of the Financial District, the proposed 38-story tower considerably exceeded the maximum-height “wall” of 200 feet called for by the City’s current zoning regulations along the district’s north edge. More … http://livingurbanism.wordpress.com/2010/12/10/density-and-urbanity/.