Perspectives Lectures Sold Out

Next week’s Perspectives lectures – A Special Evening of Architecture: 3XN and Snøhetta – are now sold out. This event, presented in partnership with the British Columbia Institute of Technology – Architectural Science Program, will feature two of the world’s leading architectural speakers: Kim Herforth Nielsen Architect MAA/RIBA, founder and principal of Danish architecture firm 3XN; and Craig Dykers MNAL AIA FRSA, partner / director / architect of Snøhetta New York. Those who registered online will have received an e-mail confirmation, and your names will be on the guest list at the door. It takes place Monday, April 30 at the BCIT Downtown Campus, 555 Seymour Street, Vancouver, beginning promptly at 6:30 p.m.

Last Chance to Register: 2012 AIBC Annual Conference

Online registration for the 2012 AIBC Annual Conference has now closed, but you can still purchase tickets to the President’s Dinner & Awards Gala as well as select courses. Send your request to conference@aibc.ca.

Registration for the 2012 AIBC Annual Conference is still open but sessions are filling quickly. Sign up now to avoid disappointment. Single-session registrations are now being accepted. Full program information is available online at the conference web site. Once you’ve reviewed the many sessions and events, click here to register. AIBC Registrants should use their existing logon ID and password; all others will be asked to create a new account. Should you encounter any difficulties or have any questions, please e-mail: conference@aibc.ca. Online registration closes Tuesday, May 1. After that date, please e-mail the AIBC directly (conference@aibc.ca) to register.

Note to out-of-town delegates: there is still some availability at the Pan Pacific Hotel for the special AIBC Annual Conference room rate. Click here.

Bylaw Review Committee Report to Members

As part of its ongoing member consultation efforts, the AIBC’s Bylaw Review Committee has prepared a Report to Members. The report, found here, provides an overview of the bylaw review process to date as well as a proposed work plan for analyzing and consulting on the entire suite of AIBC bylaws over the next 12 months and beyond. The committee operates under council-approved terms of reference. Should you have any questions or concerns, contact AIBC Bylaw Committee Chair Janet Lutz MAIBC (janet.lutz@lutzarch.com) or AIBC Professional Conduct Coordinator Gayle Roberts (groberts@aibc.ca).

In Passing: Dan White

Past member Daniel Evan White passed away peacefully with his family by his side on April 12, 2012. Born in Vancouver, White studied architecture at the University of British Columbia. Early in his career he worked with Geoff Massey and Ian Davidson before establishing his own Vancouver-based firm, Daniel Evan White Architect, in 1969. Considered one of Vancouver’s finest residential architects and a proponent of West Coast Modernism, he produced an impressive body of work over the next four decades. Former colleagues, in conjunction with the Museum of Vancouver, are currently preparing both an exhibition and a publication of his work, targeting completion in the fall of 2013. He is survived by his wife Donna, daughter Zoë, and sons Evan and Sean. A service will be held at 3:00 pm on Friday May 4, 2012, at St. Mary’s Kerrisdale Church, 2490 West 37th Avenue, Vancouver. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a donation in Dan’s memory are encouraged to do so to the Museum of Vancouver.

IMAGINiT Technologies – Autodesk 2013 Know It. All. Virtual Event

This virtual building solutions event will cover a wealth of information, beyond just “What’s New in 2013”, with sessions for managers focused on considerations for integrating new software or features into your existing workflow. Autodesk presenters will share their expertise on the latest industry topics and offer tips and tricks on AutoCAD®2013. Participants will also learn about Autodesk® Revit®, Autodesk® Navisworks, AutoCAD® and the Autodesk® Building Design Suite. It takes place Wednesday, May 2, 2012, 10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. EST. Sign up for in for a single session or the full day by registering online at http://imaginit.com/lp/know_it_all/index.html.

British Columbia Building Envelope Council – Victoria Luncheon: Developing an Existing Buildings Code

Applying the BC Building Code to construction work in existing buildings can be challenging for architects, building owners, designers, contractors and building officials. It can also be difficult and costly to renovate or change an existing building, with outdated design standards and different construction techniques, to the levels of performance specified in the current code. Further, if only portions of an existing building are to be worked on, for example the building envelope only, application of the building code may not be straightforward as it is largely intended for new construction. Developing a code specific for construction work in existing buildings is challenging as well. In addition to the technical requirements, such a code should be practical and reasonable in order to cover the many different scenarios, conditions and goals presented by existing buildings projects. To that end, the development of the code touches on several fundamental issues including acceptable performance levels for existing buildings. The province’s Building and Safety Standards Branch has been working on a new “Existing Buildings Code”, with efforts concentrated on four main disciplines: fire safety, seismic, accessibility and energy efficiency. Steven Kuan, Senior Seismic Engineer with the Building and Safety Standards Branch in the Office of Housing and Construction Standards, will discuss the concepts, approach and requirements of this draft regulatory framework, along with the challenges encountered. This presentation takes place Wednesday, May 16, 2012, from 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Harbour Towers, 345 Quebec Street, Victoria. Register online at http://bcbec.com/seminars.php.

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British Columbia Building Envelope Council – Vancouver Luncheon: First Canadian Place: Cladding Service Life & Renewal

For more than 35 years, First Canadian Place in Toronto has been Canada’s tallest skyscraper. The building has recently undergone a $120M renewal program to address problems that developed with the thin marble veneer cladding. In this presentation, Mike Van Dusen P.Eng. with Halsall Associates will examine the lessons learned from the efforts to manage the deteriorating conditions, along with the evaluation and testing undertaken to analyse how the cladding performed over its service life, and the design of the replacement system. Points of interest will include how design standards have evolved, the contrast with how risks were managed differently than its sister building in Chicago (which was the subject of landmark litigation), how building science practitioners achieved success in the 1970s, and how modern laminated glazing has been employed to renew this landmark property. It takes place Thursday, May 10, 2012, 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. at the Italian Cultural Centre, 3075 Slocan Street, Vancouver. Register online at http://bcbec.com/seminars.php.

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Building Regulatory System Submission to Government

Recently, the provincial Office of Housing and Construction Standards, part of the B.C. Ministry of Energy’s Building and Safety Standards Branch, requested the AIBC’s feedback on a series of government white papers concerning the province’s building regulatory system (see March 13 eNews). These white papers covered modernization of the building regulatory system, certification of local building officials, and a levy on construction to support the BC Building Code. AIBC members were invited to share their own comments, and the institute sought input from its Regulatory Coordination Committee volunteers with expertise in these areas. Given the importance of the issues and the benefit of a stronger, united response, the decision was made to collaborate with our colleagues at the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia (APEGBC) to produce a joint submission, signed by the respective presidents and executive directors. The finalized document can be viewed here.

Maura Gatensby MAIBC
Practice Advisor

Heritage Vancouver Society – Annual Top Ten Endangered Sites Bus Tour

Climb aboard a Transit Museum Society (TRAMS) historic bus for an exclusive guided tour of Heritage Vancouver’s 2012 Top Ten Endangered sites. Be the first to know what sites are on this year’s list., which will be announced right before the bus tour departs. Tour guides Donald Luxton and Anthony Norfolk will fascinate you with their stories of this year’s endangered sites. The tour bus will stop at selected sites for  the opportunity to explore in detail and converse with community members. It take place Saturday, May 5, 2012, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m., departing from the Vancouver Museum Parking Lot, 1100 Chestnut Street, Vancouver. Register online at http://www.heritagevancouver.org/.

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Sustainable Region Initiative – Sustainable Community Breakfast: Dematerialization Part 2 – Transitioning to an Economy without Waste: Success Stories in Metro Vancouver

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. Please check the web site often to find out about future dialogues in your community.

Sustainable Community Breakfast: Dematerialization Part 2 – Transitioning to an Economy without Waste: Success Stories in Metro Vancouver

If you asked community leaders to identify their top current social issues, what would they say? In 2011, Vancouver Foundation conducted a survey and found that the biggest concern was a growing sense of disconnection and isolation amongst people living in Metro Vancouver. It would seem that increasingly, beyond a handful of family and friends, we are growing indifferent to each other and have become less engaged in the life of our communities. Hear how Vancouver Foundation is taking a leadership role in creating sustainable social networks that will help rebuild bonds of trust, spark civic engagement, and harness the power of individuals and neighbourhoods to work together in improving their communities. Speakers include: Catherine Clement, Vice President – Public Engagement and Communications, Vancouver Foundation; Al Etmanski, President and co-founder of Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network and Co-chair, BC Government’s Advisory Council on Social Innovation; and Lidia Kemeny, Director – Granting and Community Initiatives, Vancouver Foundation. It takes place Wednesday, May 9, 2012, 7:30 – 9:00 a.m. at the British Columbia Institute of Technology – Downtown Vancouver Campus, 555 Seymour Street. Register online at http://apps2.metrovancouver.org/sustainability/Smailing_list/EventRegistration.asp?EventID=168.