L41 – All You Really Need?

Compact cube reduces conventional housing to the basics, but doesn’t cut corners on comfort
By Christina Symons, Vancouver Sun
September 30, 2011

It’s a bit risqué, agreeing to a sleepover on a second date. But after I was introduced to the charming subcompact home known as L41 and invited to return and spend the night, I didn’t hesitate to pack a suitcase. (Even if it meant sleeping at the Vancouver Convention Centre, where the L41 is a featured exhibit at IDSwest, on until Sunday.) More … 

At the Forks, Izzy Asper’s Improbable Project Takes Shape

By Roy MacGregor, Globe and Mail
September 26, 2011

There are moments when you stand in the middle and look up at the crisscrossing, seemingly haphazard steel beams and feel like you’re inside a giant beaver lodge – which is rather appropriate, given that those building the Canadian Museum of Human Rights are hopeful that it, too, will one day stand as a national icon. But there are times, too, when it feels like some giant child has run amok with a Meccano set, times when it looks like you are trapped inside a huge hydro dam, times, even, when some feel vertigo from the lack of square angles and level ceilings. Architect Antoine Predock’s curious masterpiece will not be finished for at least another year, but already the striking construction site has emerged as a symbol for the new Winnipeg. More … 

In Passing: Donald Erb

Past member Donald Erb passed away on Monday, September 12. Born and raised in Calgary, Donald attend the University of Manitoba where he graduated with an architecture degree in 1959. A member of the Alberta of Association of Architects from 1962 to 1964, he moved to Vancouver in 1965 and registered with the AIBC the following year. After a period working as an associate with John L. Kidd Architect, in the 1970s partnered to form Hanson Erb Architects. Donald eventually establish his own firm, and later worked for Phillips Barratt Engineers & Architects before his official retirement in 2004. Donald is survived by Susan, his wife of 50 years, and sons Colin and Blair. As per his request, there will  be no service. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a donation in Donald’s name are encouraged to do so to the charity of one’s choice.

Shelter Spaces for Women

On Tuesday, November 15, The Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver will be hosting an interactive Symposium on Effective Shelter Design to Promote the Safety of Women and Families. The event will happen from 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at Vancouver’s Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue. The symposium will bring together leading experts from every aspect of emergency shelter operation to share best practices in designing and operating shelter spaces for women.  The hope is that, by working together, we can develop cost-efficient shelter alternatives to meet the smaller numbers of women, something compounded particularly in small communities. You are invited to share your perspectives on this important issues and possible solutions. Join in creating efficient, cost-effective solutions for homeless women and their children by registering at http://elizabethfry.eventbrite.com/. Space is limited. For more on the symposium, please visit http://www.elizabethfry.com/symposium/.

Heritage Vancouver – A Walking Tour: Opening Doors in Vancouver’s East End – Strathcona

Join house history researcher and history walk guide James Johnstone for a tour of Vancouver’s East End. James, a heritage advocate and blogger, will use excerpts from Opening Doors, Daphne Marlatt and Carole Itter’s  collection of 50 oral histories of East End pioneers . This much-loved, groundbreaking history, originally published in 1979, was reprinted in 2011. As you tour the streets and alleys of old Strathcona you will see not only some fascinating old houses and buildings, but will discover scores of truly amazing characters from Strathcona’s past. It happens Saturday, October 15, 2011, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. The tour begins at the Heatley Block, 696 East Hastings. Register online at http://www.heritagevancouver.org/.

2  Non-core LUs

Canada Green Building Council – Green Associate Study Course

This two-day course will address the foundational knowledge required for the LEED® Green Associate examination. This exam is an introductory-level test for those who wish to demonstrate a general knowledge of LEED® and green building practices, or continue on to more advanced LEED® credentials such as LEED® AP with specialty. It is an important element of an individual’s study plan, providing opportunities to gain and test new knowledge through lectures, small and large group activities, and practice test questions. This workshop meets eligibility requirements for the LEED® Green Associate exam. It happens Wednesday and Thursday, October 26-27 at the University of British Columbia – Robson Square, 800 Robson Street, Vancouver. Visit http://cascadiagbc.org/events/2011/september/green-associate-study-course/view to register.

15 Core LUs

Canada Green Building Council – LEED® Canada for Existing Buildings – Operations & Maintenance: Technical Review (Victoria)

This one-day interactive workshop will provide a technical review of the LEED® Canada for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance rating system. Technologies and strategies that can assist in achieving credits will be discussed, and participants will have the opportunity to consider the synergies between various credits. In addition, case studies have been created to assist participants in applying their learning in relation to a real project scenario. It takes place Tuesday, October 18, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Burnside Gorge Community Association, 471 Cecelia Road, Victoria. Register online at http://cascadiagbc.org/events/2011/september/leed-canada-for-existing-buildings-operations-maintenance-technical-review/view.

7 Core LUs

Canada Green Building Council – LEED® Canada for New Construction: Technical Review 2009 (Vancouver)

This one-day interactive workshop will provide a technical overview of the LEED® Canada for New Construction 2009 rating system, which has become the definitive benchmark for what constitutes a “green building.” Understanding LEED® Canada NC 2009 is an important step for any building professional in creating sustainable buildings and achieving superior economic performance. The workshop will address technologies and strategies that can be used to achieve credits, and participants will be given the opportunity to consider the synergies between the various credits. Case studies will assist in applying learning to real project scenarios. This workshop will also briefly look at changes that have occurred during the evolution of the NC 1.0 rating system and Addendum to the 2009 system. It is scheduled for Tuesday, October 18, 2011, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the University of British Columbia – Robson Square, 800 Robson Street, Vancouver. To register, visit http://cascadiagbc.org/events/2011/august/leed-canada-for-new-construction-technical-review-2009/view.

7 Core LUs

Call for Proposals: OAA 2012 Annual Conference

Proposals are currently being accepted for continuing education sessions at the Ontario Architectural Association’s 2012 Annual Conference,  May 9 – 12 at The Westin Ottawa. Organizers are looking for speakers who excel in their field of expertise, and who can captivate and educate their audience. The OAA’s annual conference is a chance for architects to step back from daily demands and acquire new knowledge that contributes to general expertise and understanding. This learning is future-oriented and goes beyond immediate application.; it builds the capacities of the professional to plan and undertake new challenges. If you are inclined to grow professionally, meet interesting people and share your stories, then presenting at the OAA annual conference is a great opportunity for you. This year’s theme – The Music of Architecture – Architect as Conductor – celebrates a changing environment wherein the “conductor” architect becomes integral in the process so that every player “contributes, builds and benefits” together. Note: the deadline for submissions is Monday, October 31, 2011 (4:00 p.m. EST). Candidates will be notified in January 2012.  Completed applications should be submitted to Ellen Savitsky, Administrator – Continuing Education Program, at ellens@oaa.on.ca. Additional information, including the ConEd Call for Proposals Package and Application Form, can be found online at http://www.oaa.on.ca/professional+resources/continuing+education/coned+call+for+proposals.

British Columbia Electrical Association – Electrix Learning Expo 2011

The BC Electrical Association, together with Canadian Standards Association – Safety, invite you to take part in Electrix Learning Expo 2011. It takes place Wednesday, November 2 at the PNE Forum Building, 2901 East Hastings Street, Vancouver. With four concurrent seminar tracks, this one-day event will address changes to  the upcoming 2012 editions of the Canadian Electrical Code Part I and CSA Z462, Electrical Safety in the Workplace. New regulations for lighting and new developments in energy efficiency will also be addressed. With close to 150 booths, exhibitors will have an opportunity to showcase new products, services and innovations, and to present to a captive, educated audience of industry professionals attending the extensive seminar series. For a complete line-up of seminars, go to http://www.bcea.bc.ca/static_content/Electrix%20Brochure%20Final%20Lower%20Res.pdf. There is no charge for entrance to the tradeshow. However, preregistration is required. Visit http://www.bcea.bc.ca/index.php.

Core LUs available

Living Wall Studio Competition Exhibit

AIBC Gallery (#100 – 440 Cambie Street, Vancouver)
November 17, 2011 – January 9, 2012
Opening Reception: November 22, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

This unique exhibit will feature a selection of entries from the recent Living Wall Studio Competition – a joint collaboration between the University of British Columbia’s School of Architecture + Landscape Architecture and Lafarge North America. Featured projects will showcase the creativity of UBC’s Master of Architecture students. Competitors were challenged to design a revolutionary precast building envelope component that utilizes the properties of ultra-high-performance concrete – pushing the concept of enclosure while addressing complications related to molds, casting and precast work. The exhibit centrepiece, the winning design by Pat Danielson and Sam Ostrow, illustrates an innovative living wall concept. An opening reception for this exhibit will be held on Tuesday, November 22 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Advance reservations are required; please email communications@aibc.ca.The AIBC Gallery is free and open to the public Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Simon Fraser University City Program – Warren Gill Memorial Lecture: Makeshift Metropolis — The Insights of Witold Rybczynski

North American cities are not shaped only by architects, planners, legislators or mayors, but by the people who live, work and play in them. Ideas have a role to play, too. For the first annual Warren Gill Memorial Lecture, noted author and critic Witold Rybczynski will explore the influence that planning theories have had on urbanism in the 20th Century. He will examine ideas old and new, and illustrate how 21st Century cities are being shaped by mixed-use developments, downtown living, heterogeneity, density and liveliness. It happens Monday, October 17, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Djavad Mowafaghian Cinema, Goldcorp Centre for the Arts, 149 West Hastings Street, (Woodward’s entrance at Cordova Street), Vancouver. Admission is free but reservations are required; visit www.sfu.ca/reserve.

1.5 Non-core LUs

Vancouver Heritage Foundation – Heritage & Sustainability Public Lecture: Sustainability and Preservation – The Perfect Match

Noted heritage and sustainability architect Barbara Campagna  FAIA LEED® AP will share her experience developing national sustainability policies and working with the U.S. Green Building Council to better integrate cultural and preservation metrics into the LEED® rating systems. There will also be discussion of past and current sustainable preservation projects. This free public lecture takes place Thursday, November 3, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at SFU Downtown, 515 West Hastings Street. To reserve a seat, please visit http://www.vancouverheritagefoundation.org/oldschool.html.

2 Core LUs

Vancouver Heritage Foundation – Old School Courses: Heritage & Sustainability: Assessing Energy Efficiency in Older Homes

This all-day workshop will discuss how to evaluate the performance of older houses, and decide on appropriate interventions to improve their energy efficiency. Presenters include Barbara Campagna  FAIA LEED® AP along with representatives from EMBERS Draught Proofing Division, Building Insight Technologies, City of Vancouver Sustainability Group, Province of B.C., and local case study homeowners. The date: Saturday, November 5, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the British Columbia Institute of Technology’s downtown campus, 555 Seymour Street, Vancouver.  Workshop fee: $125 + HST (Special student rate of $75 + HST available). Register online at http://www.vancouverheritagefoundation.org/oldschool.html.

7 Core LUs

Vancouver Heritage Foundation – Old School Courses: Road Map — Writing a Conservation Plan for your Building

Discover exactly what is a conservation plan, and how to write one, with Eric Pattison MAIBC.  This course takes place Wednesday, October 26, 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the British Columbia Institute of Technology’s downtown campus, 555 Seymour Street, Vancouver. The cost is $60 + HST.

4 Core LUs