2012/13 AIBC Council

At the 2012 AIBC Annual Meeting, held on Saturday May 12 at the Vancouver Convention Centre West, the following candidates were  elected to a two-year term on AIBC Council; the new group of council’s officers, as elected by the council, are shown within parentheses:

• Laurence W. (Chip) Barrett MAIBC (Registrar)
• Michael Green MAIBC
• Cal Meiklejohn MAIBC
• Gordon Richards MAIBC
• Lynne Werker MAIBC (Treasurer)

They are joined by the following elected members entering the second year of their term:

• Robert Chester MAIBC
• Eszter Csutkai MAIBC
• Paula A. Grossman MAIBC (Vice-president)
• Scott Kemp MAIBC MRAIC
• David N.M. Yustin MAIBC (President)

The remaining council members are:

• Owen Pawson BArch LL.B. (Lieutenant Governor Appointee)
• Dr. Richard Peddie Ph.D. (Lieutenant Governor Appointee)
• Tim Spiegel B.Sc. (QS) PQS (Lieutenant Governor Appointee)
• David Toole (Lieutenant Governor Appointee)
• Leslie Van Duzer B.A., M.Arch. (University of British Columbia School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture Director)

Non-voting liaison representatives to council consist of:

• Michael Currie AT (Architectural Technologist Liaison)
• David Boswell BD (Building Designer / Residential Designer Liaison)
• Jenny Chow IA (Intern Architect Liaison)
• Jim Toy BA BArch RID LEED®AP (IDIBC Liaison)

Bylaw Votes

During the annual meeting, members were asked to vote on 22 proposed changes to the AIBC’s bylaws. The requisite 2/3 support of those members present was received for 10 of the proposed bylaw amendments or repeals. A detailed listing of the proposed bylaw revisions  can be found here;  voting results supported these positive results:

26.0, 26.1, 26.2, 26.3 – repealed

3.2 – repealed

3.3 – repealed

12.2 – repealed

12.1 – amended

19.1 – amended

10.0 – amended

Notice of the bylaw changes passed by the membership has been sent to the provincial government, which has 45 days during which it can disallow any of those bylaw changes.  Once the disallowance period has elapsed, confirmation to members of final bylaw status will follow. Specific information about the bylaw process, including the repeal or amendment rationale, can be found in the annual meeting information booklet.

Perhaps most notable of the approved bylaw proposals is Bylaw 10, which would see the title for architects in British Columbia changed from “MAIBC” to “Architect AIBC”. Further guidance to members with respect to the timing of this change, transition, etc., will follow in the weeks after the bylaws become officially approved. In the interim, members should continue to use “MAIBC”, whether alone or in combination with “architect”.

Staff Evolution: Changing Directions

Effective June 30, 2012, Jerome Marburg LL.B. MBA will be leaving the institute to assume the position of CEO and Registrar of the College of Dental Surgeons of BC. Thomas Lutes LL.B. will become General Counsel and Deputy Executive Director of the AIBC, commencing July 1, 2012.

Special Meeting

At the Special Meeting, held on Saturday May 12 at the Vancouver Convention Centre West, the AIBC Council gave responses to the two discussion items. As well, none of the petitioners’ bylaw or advisory motions carried. Two of the proposed bylaw amendments (agenda item 7.3 proposed new bylaw 35.2, and agenda item 7.4 proposed new bylaw 35.3) were referred to the Bylaw Review Committee for review and possible further development.

Honorary Membership Bestowed

At the annual meeting on May 12, the status of Honorary Member was awarded to Bob Williams. The title of Honorary Member recognizes non-architects who have made an especially noteworthy contribution to the profession of architecture in British Columbia. Williams, active in both local and provincial politics, was cited for his innovations in the areas of government and finance policy that provided a basis for innovation within the profession. A former Minister of Resources and Deputy Minister for Crown Corporations at the provincial level, he is also a past Vancouver City Councillor and chair of the City of Vancouver’s Planning Commission. He is also a longstanding member of the Vancity Board of Directors.

Toronto’s Architecture Has Never Looked Better

By Christopher Hume, Toronto Star

May 11,  2012

Every few decades Toronto suddenly remembers it’s a city. It happened at the end of the 19th century, when we built E.J.Lennox’s masterpiece, Old City Hall, and again in the mid-20th century, when Viljo Revell’s New City Hall, not to mention Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s Toronto-Dominion Centre, both modern landmarks, arrived. It’s happening again; only this time, we are remaking the city as a 21st-century highrise metropolis. More … 

People With PhDs Driving Taxis

By Kent Spencer, The Province

May 11, 2012

Doctors, civil engineers and architects are driving cabs in Canada, and many of them are immigrants from India and Pakistan. Government data released Thursday shows thousands of university-educated newcomers drive taxis because they’re not able to find work in their chosen fields. Vancouver immigration lawyer Richard Kurland said the data con-firms a long-held belief that PhDs are driving cabs in Canada. More … 

2014 Venice Biennale in Architecture

Be a part of the most important and prestigious international event in contemporary architecture. The Venice Biennale offers an exciting opportunity to showcase Canadian excellence in architecture, as well as an occasion to share ideas with peers from around the world. The Canada Council for the Arts is now accepting proposals for the Canadian representation at the 2014 Venice Biennale in Architecture, to be shown in the Canada Pavilion in Venice and in Canada. Details can be found on the Canada Council website. The deadline for submissions is October 15, 2012. To receive an information package and discuss the specific challenges of this event, please contact: Program Officer Brigitte Desrochers via e-mail (brigitte.desrochers@canadacouncil.ca) or phone (1-800-263-5588).

Riverview Lands Heritage Conservation Plan

The architectural profession is invited to take part in the community conversation about the Riverview Lands Heritage Conservation Plan. Currently, the B.C. Ministry of Labour, and Citizens’ Services and Open Government – Shared Services BC are developing a Heritage Conservation Plan (HCP) for the Riverview Lands to ensure its heritage values are understood and acknowledged. The planning process will explore existing heritage values and seek to uncover new ones. There are several ways to get involved, including an online workshop and online questionnaire. The following public drop-in workshops are schedule for this month:

• Public Drop-in Workshop #1
  May 22, 2012 4:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M.
  The Outlet – Work Room
  2100 – 2253 Leigh Square Place, Port Coquitlam

• Public Drop-in Workshop #2
  May 23, 2012 4:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M.
  Executive Plaza Hotel – Aspen Room
  405 North Road, Coquitlam

Additional public open houses are slated for June. Detailed information and access to the online questionnaire and workshop can be found online at http://www.riverviewvalues.info/. Comments or questions can be directed to Riverview Heritage Values 2012, c/o Suite 700-865 Hornby Street, Vancouver, B.C.  V6Z 2G3, or e-mailed to riverview@gov.bc.ca.

Simon Fraser University City Program – Urban Design and Sustainable Development Certificates

The SFU City Program is now accepting applications for both the Urban Design and Sustainable Community Development certificates. Taught by renowned practitioners and industry leaders, these programs will equip mid-career professionals with the right tools to create positive changes in their communities. The hands-on programs consist of eight two- and three-day intensive courses. Over 10-18 months, participants will work through the courses with a cohort of peers, sharing experiences, knowledge and ideas in a multidisciplinary context. The application deadline for the Fall 2012 cohort has been extended to September 4, 2012. To apply and for more information, visit www.sfu.ca/city.

Cobalt Engineering LLP – Client Seminar Series: Compliance with Current Energy Codes

In this presentation, Associate Partner Paul Richards P.Eng. C.Eng. MCIBSE will explore current energy code compliance in British Columbia – specifically the City of Vancouver’s documentation process. Learn how recent changes, effective March 2012, may affect your team workload. This free event happens Tuesday, May 29, 2012, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. at the Cobalt office, Suite 180 – 200 Granville Street, Vancouver. Register online at https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07e5xim5ua02eeb773&oseq=.

1 Core LU

Work/Life/Work Balance by Andrew Maynard

By Karissa Rosenfield, ArchDaily

May 2012

It is time for architectural work practices to grow up. We must stop deluding ourselves that architectural employees are anything other than a contemporary exploited labor force. Epicurus argued that humans needed only three things in life to be happy – friends, freedom and an analyzed life. All evidence indicates that Epicurus had a rather good time while he was around. Now he is dead. I wonder if Epicurus became a senior associate at Philosopher & Associates Pty Ltd before he died? Surely this was a priority. Does contemporary architectural employment deny us our happiness; our friends, freedom and the opportunity for an analyzed life? Many would argue that being employed in architecture and the pursuit of happiness are irreconcilable. It can reasonably be argued that most architects, and almost all recent graduates, are working in conditions that are unhealthy, unsustainable and exploitative. More … 

New Limitation Act

The British Columbia government has given royal assent to Bill 34, bringing about changes to the Limitation Act. Of particular note to the architectural profession is a revised ultimate limitation period of 15 years, reduced from the previous 30. Under the new legislation, the ultimate limitation period for claims expires 15 years from the date on which the act or omission upon which the claim is based took place. This both simplifies the calculation of the period for potential liability and greatly reduces its duration. The 2012 Limitation Act still includes the possibility for extending the ultimate limitation period in special circumstances including instances of wilful concealment, fraud, and the acknowledgment of liability. The revised statute reflects most of the concerns and suggestions brought forth in the AIBC Response to the White Paper on Limitation Act Reform, submitted in 2010. It is anticipated the new legislation will be implemented within the year, allowing sufficient time to inform the legal profession and key stakeholders about the broad scope of the changes. Information about the new Limitation Act is available through the Ministry of Justice’s website at http://www.ag.gov.bc.ca/legislation/limitation-act/2012.htm.

Potable Water Bulletin

The Ministry of Health’s Building & Safety Standards Branch has issued a bulletin to assist in the determination of whether or not water is potable or “safe for human consumption”. It can be found online at http://www.housing.gov.bc.ca/pub/bulletins/B-12-01%20-%20Potable%20Water.pdf. The bulletin also references Health Canada’s Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality (http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/pubs/water-eau/2010-sum_guide-res_recom/index-eng.php). This information will be of interest for architects designing buildings without a municipal water supply. For information on contaminants known to be a problem in a specific locality, you are encouraged to contact your local health authority (http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/socsec/contacts.html).

Architect Pair Revitalize a West Vancouver Classic

By Hadani Ditmars, Globe and Mail

May 11, 2012

Bo Helliwell and Kim Smith of Blue Sky Architecture have created some of the West Coast’s most intriguing homes, displaying an organic modernism inspired by the region’s rich natural weave of rock, forest and ocean. Their respect for site is matched only by their affection for British Columbia’s mid-century modernists, especially, it would seem, for Barry Downs. Their last house near West Vancouver’s Whytecliffe Park was a Downs original – from the early sixties when he partnered with Fred Hollingsworth (and recently sold for $1.65-million). More …