Sustainability Community Breakfast

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 Community Breakfast
Topic: Food Scraps Recycling: Making it the Norm for Businesses and Institutions

Thursday, February 3, 2011
7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
British Columbia Institute of Technology Downtown Vancouver Campus, 555 Seymour Street

Studies show that nearly half of our garbage is made up of food scraps and other compostable materials. Join us to hear how businesses and organizations across the region are reducing food waste and embracing food scraps recycling, keeping hundreds of thousands of tons of compostable materials out of landfills. Featured speakers include: Vagner Castilho, Sustainability Leadership Teacher – Windermere Secondary School (accompanied by Windermere leadership students); Filippo DeLuca, Recycling Coordinator – British Columbia Institute of Technology; Trish Kelly, Director of Project Development – Discovery Organics; and Tina Taylor, Food Services – British Columbia Institute of Technology. To register, go to http://apps2.metrovancouver.org/sustainability/Smailing_list/EventRegistration.asp?EventID=138.

More Professions Move To Digital Signatures

Three more professional organizations in Canada have begun use of digital signatures and seals. the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists, and Geophysicists of Alberta (APEGGA), the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Manitoba (APEGM) and the Ordre des architectes du Québec (OAQ) have signed on for digital signature kits developed by Notarius, supplier to the AIBC, for their respective members. Both APEGM and APEGGA have adopted new or revised guidelines to regulate the use of seals on electronic. The OAQ has introduced a new code of ethics that addresses the use of a specific technology (digital signature) for electronic document authentication.

Final Notice: Annual Fee Payment Deadline – February 1, 2011

This is a reminder to all registrants and firms that your annual fees must be paid by Tuesday, February 1, 2011. To pay fees online, go to http://aibc.memberpro.net and log on. Those registrants who have both a personal registration and a firm licence (certificate of practice) are reminded that you will need to access two different web pages. If you encounter any difficulties, please contact Licensing Coordinator Kim Underwood (kunderwood@aibc.ca) or Registration & Licensing Administration Assistant Emily Tyler (etyler@aibc.ca) immediately.

“Flat-pack” Schools Will Make Architects Redundant

By Elizabeth Hopkirk, Building Online

January 28, 2011

Architects are being written out of the government’s plans for school building, it emerged today. To save money, schools will be 15% smaller and based on one of half a dozen pre-approved templates. These templates are already being drawn up by construction companies, according to a report in today’s Times newspaper which dubbed them “flat-pack” schools. The standardised designs would cut out the need for architects, planning advisers and other consultants to design each school from scratch. More … http://www.bdonline.co.uk/5012481.article?origin=BDweeklydigest.

Haiti Rebuilding Effort

In response to the devastation of the January 2010 earthquake that hit Haiti, the Canadian Construction Association has teamed with its partner associations and Builders Without Borders to identify a project that would have a direct impact on the welfare of those hardest hit. École Lakay, a trades school in Port-au-Prince, was chosen as the facility that, if rebuilt, would enable Haitian students to advance their skills in the construction trades and, as a result, become leaders to help rebuild their country. The facility improvement has been split into two phases, with a $500,000 estimated cost in Phase 1 and an additional $500,000 for Phase 2. To date, a number of other Canadian construction associations have contributed nearly $200,000 to this project. An additional $200,000 is expected from a February fundraiser being sponsored by the Association de la Construction du Québec. The British Columbia Construction Association has been working with the CCA and is eager to involve other construction-related associations in B.C. in providing a West Coast contribution to this initiative. Those interested are invited to an information evening in Vancouver on Thursday, February 17 at which the executive director of École Lakay will relate firsthand knowledge of the situation in Haiti and share how this project will help Haiti to rebuild. You can support the CCA-BWB fund by attending. For more information, click here.

Zero Waste Challenge Conference: Getting Us To Zero Waste – A Shared Agenda For Action

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.

Zero Waste Challenge Conference: Getting Us To Zero Waste – A Shared Agenda For Action

You are invited to take part in Metro Vancouver’s inaugural Zero Waste Challenge Conference, Thursday, March 10, 2011, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown, Burnaby. The focal point of this event will be a collaborative discussion on Metro Vancouver’s Zero Waste Challenge Strategy, which proposes a series of changes from regional businesses in a common effort to reduce solid waste. Featured speakers at this one-day conference include: Robert Lange, Director – Bureau of Waste Reduction, Reuse and Recycling, New York City Department of Sanitation; and Clint Mahlman, Senior VP – London Drugs. There will also be a “dragon’s Den” panel of experts featuring Rod Muir, Sierra Club of Canada; Bernie Magnan, Vancouver Board of Trade; and Neil Hastie, Encorp Pacific. Hear success stories and take part in vital dialogues on strategies and actions to increase solid waste reduction, reuse and recycling in the region. You are encouraged to register today as space is limited. For more information visit: www.metrovancouver.org.

City of Vancouver Electronic Plan Submission & Review

The City of Vancouver has announced its intention to implement electronic plan submission and review, 24/7 online permit status information, and mobility devices that will allow inspectors to provide immediate sign-off. Though it will still be some time before the improvements are available, the AIBC applauds the City of Vancouver for taking this initiative. The institute, along with colleagues from the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia, are assisting the city in developing systems and protocols that are professionally supportable and that meet the needs of the public as well as practitioners. The institute welcomes input from registrants on these initiatives, particularly those who have experience with electronic plan submission and review in other jurisdictions.

Maura Gatensby MAIBC

Director – Professional Services

Member Advisory: Infrastructure Canada Documents Regarding Construction Schedule and Substantial Completion

Please visit here for the latest update. (March 28, 2011)

 

January 26, 2011

The AIBC has become aware of numerous requests being made of B.C. architectural firms that they sign Infrastructure Canada’s “Statement Concerning the Construction Schedule” and “Solemn Declaration of Substantial Completion” as well as similar documents. Note: both of these documents require architectural firms to provide services that are well beyond standard practice, and to make assurances outside of those which architects normally provide. Such assurances are inappropriate and potentially uninsurable. (Full Details Here)

Advisory Design Panel Applications

The AIBC routinely seeks applicants for its Advisory Design Panel Roster. Architects selected for the roster are then considered for nomination to various community-based advisory design panels. The objective of the process is to provide the British Columbia municipalities with an appropriate selection of architects prepared to provide objective advice that will protect the public interest in matters relating to the built environment. The Advisory Design Panel application form, recently revised to better serve our valued volunteers, is available on the AIBC website. AIBC Bulletin 65: Advisory Design Panels: Standards for Procedures and Conduct provides an outline of the objectives, criteria and procedures for nomination to and service on an advisory design panel. There is also a “Frequently Asked Questions” resource that offers information about serving on an advisory design panel. Note: a new policy requiring candidates to remain on the Advisory Design Panel nomination roster for two years is now in effect. For more information, including confirmation of roster status for previous applicants, please contact Practice Coordinator Ryan Dinh by phone (604-683-8588, ext. 314) or e-mail (rdinh@aibc.ca).

January 2011 Advisory Design Panel Appointments

The AIBC congratulates the following architects who have been appointed this month to serve on advisory design panels:

City of North Vancouver Advisory Design Panel:

Karen Graham MAIBC

Steve McFarlane MAIBC




New Westminster Design Panel:

Chris Block MAIBC

Paul Goodwin MAIBC

Eric Pattison MAIBC

Mark Vance MAIBC




Whistler Advisory Design Panel:

Tony Kloepfer MAIBC

Brigitte Loranger MAIBC

Bryce Rositch MAIBC

Thank you to all applicants expressing interest in volunteering to represent the profession.

Role Call: AIBC Investigations Committee

The AIBC is seeking an additional member for its Investigations Committee, which conducts investigations of unprofessional conduct complaints and makes recommendations to the institute as to how to proceed. The committee meets once per month (generally one summer meeting) for an afternoon. Members interested in contributing to the institute’s professional conduct process are invited to submit their expressions of interest with a brief biography or c.v. The AIBC believes that the public interest and the profession are best served by a committee that includes members with diverse backgrounds and experience. For further information or to submit expressions of interest, please contact Director of Professional Conduct & Illegal Practice Thomas Lutes at (604) 683-8588 ext. 321 or tlutes@aibc.ca.

Genetic Architecture

By George Dvorsky, Institute for Ethics & Emerging Technologies

January 25, 2011

Genetic architecture is an exciting, promising, and highly conceptual field that suggests we can bridge the gap between biology, artificial intelligence, and architecture. The end of result would see not just the integration of living and inert matter, but the radical transformation of the entire planet itself. More … http://ieet.org/index.php/IEET/more/dvorsky20110125.

 

City Delays Tower Proposal

By Bob Mackin, 24 Hours Vancouver

January 24, 2011

A controversial proposal to allow 12 to 15 storey buildings in the Downtown Eastside was suddenly yanked from city council’s Thursday planning committee agenda and delayed to gauge public opinion. Dozens of people were hoping to speak against a policy to enable condominium towers in the historic area. Mayor Gregor Robertson successfully tabled an emergency motion before noon to strike a neighbourhood committee and set a Dec. 31 deadline for a report on the impact of taller buildings. More … http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/News/local/2011/01/20/16971941.html

AZ Awards For Design Excellence

Deadline for submissions March 1, 2011

AZURE magazine has launched the AZ Awards, an international program honouring architects and designers for outstanding work completed before December 31, 2010. An international jury of esteemed industry professionals will choose the best innovations and brightest talents from 13 categories. The deadline for submissions March 1, 2011… (more)

B+H Architects Completes Plan For The Health And Wellness Resort in Vietnam

By Patricia Williams, Daily Commercial News and Construction Record

January 24, 2011

Toronto’s B+H Architects, one of the first Western architecture and design firms to establish a presence in China, has turned its attention to Vietnam. In Ho Chi Minh City, B+H has completed an expansion at the Canadian consulate. It also has designed a new campus for the Vietnam Australia International School in a district of the city, Vietnam’s largest. More … http://dcnonl.com/article/id42549.