New Registered Educational Provider: HCMA

Hughes Condon Marler Architects is a firm of 45 staff members that has been recognized nationally and internationally for service and design excellence. The studio environment of HCMA’s Vancouver and Victoria offices, designed to foster dialogue and problem solving, supports the firm’s collaborative approach. For more information on this and other AIBC Registered Educational Providers, visit the AIBC web site at http://www.aibc.ca/member_resources/professional_dev/CurrentREP.html.

AIBC Summer Office Hours

AIBC Summer Office Hours are in effect for the months of July and August. During that time, the offices will be open to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday – Thursday, and 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Fridays.

Current Exhibit: 2012 Canadian Green Building Awards

AIBC Gallery
July 4 – August 31, 2012

This exhibit showcases winning projects from the 2012 Canadian Green Building Awards, offered through Sustainable Architecture & Building Magazine (SABMag) and SAB Homes Magazine. It features seven projects – five commercial/institutional buildings and two houses – from British Columbia, Quebec and Ontario. Chosen for their level of sustainable design, architectural excellence and technical innovation, they also encompass an impressive range of building types. Exhibit highlights include a tiny three-season house in Ontario and a state-of-the-art college building in B.C.’s Okanagan designed to the exacting standards of the Living Building Challenge. The Canadian Green Building Awards is an annual program that rewards sustainable design, architectural merit and innovation in order to advance knowledge and improve practice in the design of sustainable non-residential and residential buildings in Canada. This exhibit represents design and building excellence as well as the positive direction in which Canadian building design is heading.

Victoria Bike Tour

As part of the AIBC’s Architectural Walking Tours program this summer, the institute is once again teaming with the Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition for a special Architectural Bike Tour of Victoria. Enjoy fresh air, exercise and a tour of some of the provincial capital’s most unique buildings. It takes place Sunday, July 15 starting at 10:00 a.m. from Centennial Square. The fee is by donation ($5 suggested) and cyclists of every age are welcomed. Note: all participants must wear helmets. For more information, visit www.gvcc.bc.ca.

CES Deadline Reminder and Updated Bulletin 80

AIBC Continuing Education System (CES) participants are reminded of the June 30, 2012 reporting deadline.

The third edition of Bulletin 80: Mandatory Continuing Education System Rules and Guidelines has now been published and is available online. This third edition supersedes its predecessor to incorporate updated policies adopted by AIBC Council; to provide further guidance and clarity from experience regarding the intent and values of the CES; and to address the two-year reporting period which harmonizes with the national continuing education program effective July 1, 2012. Adjustments have also been made to improve syntax, remove obsolete provisions, and update the bulletin’s organization.

Revisions or clarifications of significance, as indicated throughout by a sidebar, include:

– Definition of CES participants; – Method for requesting exemptions or extensions;
– The CES two-year reporting period obligations beginning July 1, 2012;
– The CES reporting requirements for newly registered CES Participants;
– Explanation of the reciprocity option for B.C.-registered out-of-province architects;
– Clarification of learning units for voluntary service; and
– Clarification of appendix lists for core and non-core topic areas.

The third edition of Bulletin 80 is now in effect. CES participants are strongly urged to read the bulletin in its entirety.

If you have any questions about the AIBC CES reporting requirements, the reporting process, or regarding the revised Bulletin 80, please contact Professional Development Coordinators Aleta Cho (acho@aibc.ca) or Linda Nielsen (lnielsen@aibc.ca).

Homecoming For an Architect’s Son

By Adele Weder, The Globe and Mail
June 22, 2012

In 1951, when architect Ned Pratt built his family home on the foothills of West Vancouver’s British Properties, he made a statement far beyond aesthetics. As well as shelter for his family, Mr. Pratt designed the house as a showpiece for new building technologies and materials. Still, as his architect son, Peter, recently reflected: “It’s easier when you have a client that can state their needs. For an architect to design his own home, that’s quite a challenge—because architects can never make up their minds! That’s the hardest damn thing.” More … http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/home-and-garden/architecture/homecoming-for-an-architects-son/article4364064/.

BC Wood Demonstration Projects

The B.C. forest products industry has announced the opening of three new wood demonstration projects: the North Shore Credit Union Environmental Learning Centre, Elkford Community Conference Centre, and City of North Vancouver Civic Centre Renovation. Each of these projects demonstrates important innovations in wood design and engineering systems by applying traditional products in non-traditional ways, or creating innovative wood solutions structurally or architecturally. The demonstration buildings showcase new workable wood solutions that have the greatest potential for commercial viability. A common component in all three project innovations is the introduction of mass timber, representing a paradigm shift in the possibilities for wood use in construction projects. These products also offer significant benefits in terms of fire, acoustic and structural performance, scale possibilities, rigidity, stability and construction efficiency. The new North Shore Credit Union Environmental Learning Centre, an addition to the North Vancouver Outdoor School (NVOS) in Brackendale near Squamish, is an 850-square-metre building which reflects the environmental principles it espouses. The 1,800 square metre Elkford Community Conference Centre features a visitor information centre, playschool, commercial kitchen, banquet hall with a stage for the performing arts, multipurpose meeting rooms as well as historical displays. It utilizes structural wood construction to conserve energy and reduce the centre’s environmental footprint. The City of North Vancouver Civic Centre Renovation is a 770-square-metre space featuring a one-storey atrium, state-of-the-art design fabrication behind the roof panel system, and an inventive new floor system. Additional information can be found online at http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/998371/b-c-forest-products-industry-recognizes-wood-demonstration-project-openings-and-events-in-british-columbia.

Operational Evolution: Registration & Licensing Management

We are pleased to announce that architect Joan Hendriks MAIBC has been engaged to provide services on a part-time basis (2.5 days per week) as Manager of Registration and Licensing (R&L) effective 13 June 2012 and during Roisin O’Neill’s maternity leave, recently begun. Joan brings to the AIBC, its R&L programs and clientele her prior experience on the Intern Architect Committee; Registration Board; Oral Review committees; Council; Council’s New and Diverse Members Working Group; and as Registrar.

Michael A. Ernest: architect MAIBC

Executive Director

AIBC Council Survey Updates

Dear Colleagues (Architects and Intern Architects, Architectural Technologists, Building & Residential Designer associates of the AIBC):

By now, everyone eligible to receive AIBC Council’s independently conducted engagement survey should have received the electronic message from CRA consultants. Please check your spam, quarantine and junk email folders and ensure your inclusion.

My message today is to strongly encourage your participation by Monday’s deadline so that the response sample size is significant and the resulting information and patterns are useful towards enhanced understanding and council’s ability to establish better-informed directions.

Best regards,
David Yustin, MAIBC
AIBC Council President

Construction Specification Canada – Vancouver Chapter

Annual Construction Fair

Mark your calendar to attend the annual CSC Construction Fair: Wednesday, November 21, 2012, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. at the Vancouver Convention Centre, 1055 Canada Place. With more than one hundred local manufacturers, suppliers and distributors of construction products, this “Simple but Revealing” approach will enable attendees to gather product and technical information for their next specification, architectural design or construction project – all under one roof. For more information on this free event, go to http://vancouver.csc-dcc.ca/.

Cobalt Engineering LLP

Client Seminar Series: TELUS Garden – Integrated Design

TELUS Garden, to be located in the heart of downtown Vancouver, will incorporate a LEED Platinum 24-storey signature office tower – the first of its kind in Canada – along with a LEED Gold 53-storey residential tower with more than 425 green homes, and retail space. When completed, the project will use at least 30 per cent less energy than a standard development of its size through the use of innovative technologies and practices. It will transfer excess heat from one building to another as needed, use solar panels to power some infrastructure, and capture rainwater for toilets and garden irrigation. Located adjacent to SkyTrain, there will be facilities for bicycles and charging stations for electric cars. Join Associate Partner Gary Rhode, LEED AP, as he discusses the successes and lessons learned in developing an efficient, integrated system for TELUS Garden. It takes place on Tuesday, June 26, 2012, 12 noon- 1:00 p.m. at the Cobalt Engineering office, Suite 180 – 200 Granville Street, Vancouver. Register online at http://www.integralgroup.com/events.html.

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IDIBC Garage Sale

The Interior Designers Institute of British Columbia invites you to its annual “Not Your Neighbourhood Garage Sale”. Local business have donated a wide assortment of designer  furnishing including furniture, carpets, fabric, wall covering, lighting, flooring, fixtures, art and accessories. Brand-name items will be available at a fraction of their retail price with proceeds going to benefit Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver. Takes place on Sunday, June 24, 2012, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Vancouver ReStore, 69 West 69^th Avenue.

City Needs High-quality Density That’s Affordable

By Don Cayo, Vancouver Sun
June 11, 2012

Think globally and act locally? Nonsense, sniffs Edward Glaeser, a Harvard University economics professor, a prolific author and a globally recognized authority on urban issues. Glaeser has made his name, and he makes his living, documenting evidence that pokes holes in many of the myths about what it takes to live lightly on the planet. More … http://www.vancouversun.com/business/City+needs+high+quality+density+that+affordable/6743457/story.html.

AIBC Council Survey Update

Distribution has now begun for an online survey meant to gather commentary, input and ideas from the AIBC membership to guide AIBC Council in its strategic planning. AIBC members, intern architects, architectural technologists, intern architectural technologists, building designers and residential designers will receive e-mail invitations to take part in this survey commissioned by AIBC Council and being carried out by Corporate Research Associates. This survey is an important opportunity to influence the future of the profession and the direction of the institute. Your participation is encouraged, and all survey participants will be entered in a draw for an iPad.

The Power of Pop-up Architecture

Lisa Rochon, The Globe and Mail
June 15, 2012

Pop-up architecture is the entertainment of today and the urban destination of tomorrow. It’s light, lyrical and cheap to construct. Permanent, masonry-heavy architecture will continue to drill down into the ground, but architecture as light as Twitter can risk more – beginning with the need to invigorate neglected or marginalized public space right now. Pop-ups push urbanites to sample delightful and even disorienting architecture on a human scale. Maybe we’re more likely to immerse ourselves in something daring if it comes with a limited shelf life. More … http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/art-and-architecture/the-power-of-pop-up-architecture/article4267683/.