AIBC eNews
November 30, 2012
PFSI specializes in all aspects of polyurethane foam products including spray foam products; insulation and air barriers; general purpose foams; industrial coatings; and polyurethane foam roofing systems. For a listing of all AIBC Registered Educational Providers, please visit: http://www.aibc.ca/member_resources/professional_dev/CurrentREP.html.
November 30, 2012
Vancouver Island Chapter Luncheon Meeting: Quality Assurance Program for Flooring
Chris Maskell of the Master Floor Covering Standards Institute Inc. will be presenting on the topic of quality assurance (QA) for floor coverings, a program that has been modeled on Master Painters Institute’s highly successful QA program. Specific topics will include need for this program, the top three reasons that floor coverings fail, the latest edition of the Floor Covering Reference Manual, a suggested QA short specification, an explanation of the QA process, pricing and program value. It takes place Tuesday, December 11, 2012, 12:00 noon – 1:15 p.m. at the Harbour Towers Hotel & Suites, 345 Quebec Street, Victoria. To register, visit http://vancouver-island.csc-dcc.ca/.
1 Core LU
Vancouver Luncheon: Eight Firestopping Systems You Need to Specify
Protecting lives and property from smoke and fire has been an evolving part of the building code in Canada for the last 30 years. With every revision of the code, there has been an increased emphasis on ensuring fire protection standards keep up with new technologies and changing construction methods. In this presentation Enzo Saponaro P.Eng, M. Eng, MBA and Robert Jahnsen MBA from Div7 Building Systemswill highlight the eight most commonly used – but not specified – firestopping situations. It takes place Thursday, December 20, 2012, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the Sandman Hotel, 180 West Georgia Street, Vancouver. To register, visit http://vancouver.csc-dcc.ca/.
1 Core LU
November 30, 2012
This year, the AIBC Intern Architect Committee, with support from AIBC staff, coordinated a moderated panel discussion to examine the various routes to registration as well as the hurdles encountered by intern architects. The panel featured two newly registered architects and two IAs close to completing the Internship in Architect Program: Paul Fast Architect AIBC; David Zeibin Architect AIBC; Lisa Kwan IA.AIBC and Kent Grier IA.AIBC. The panel was meticulously moderated by IAC member Derek DeLand IA.AIBC. Invited guests included architecture students, syllabus students, intern architects, members of the AIBC Registration Board and AIBC staff.
The evening began with introductions followed by short overviews of their career paths to date. It quickly became clear that although all four panelists were graduates of the University of British Columbia’s School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, each had a very different story to tell – from volunteering in Africa to being a stay-at-home parent or working in firms overseas. It confirmed what we already knew: there is no stereotypical route to registration, and maintaining a work/life balance as an IA is incredibly difficult.
Questions from the moderator revealed one overriding message: building strong working relationships with the supervising architect, other firm colleagues and personal mentor is critical to success within the Internship in Architecture Program. The panel agreed that a proactive IA who takes control of his/her own IAP “destiny” is likely to be one to gain the most from the experience.
During discussions, the panelists concluded that, in their opinion, the examinations are the primary barrier to registration. However, they were feeling encouraged by the news that the AIBC had recently agreed to participate in the Examination for Architects in Canada (ExAC). Advice from the panelists for those completing their registration examinations included creating a schedule by booking all of the exams at regular intervals, as well as creating a series of targets. Panelists also voiced concern about the content of programs taught at Canadian architecture schools, feeling that in some cases, newly-graduated individuals are not prepared to join the workplace.
Although there is a feeling that the IAP in B.C. is a long and often drawn out process, the panelists agreed that completing the steps to registration was a beneficial experience that prepared them well for the workplace. Somewhat surprisingly, the panel saw particular value in completing the B.C. required oral review, suggesting that it would be particularly worthwhile at the conclusion to the IAP.
On the back of the success of this event, and looking forward to 2013, the IAC is hoping to host more events to engage IAs, students and newly-registered architects. Comments and suggestions are welcomed at any time, and can be directed to committee members via the AIBC’s Registration & Licensing team at registration@aibc.ca.
November 30, 2012
By David Rogers, Building Design
November 29, 2012
Two-thirds of architects polled in a BD survey say the RIBA should bring back fee scales. The findings come as the housing association at the centre of the ‘zero fees’ storm, Sanctuary, has admitted that it might be prepared to rethink its stance. The furore has renewed calls for fee scales to be re-introduced but RIBA executive director of professional services Richard Brindley said: “They’re not the right answer. Clients see indicative fee scales as a cost to be negotiated down.” More … http://www.bdonline.co.uk/5046693.article?origin=BDdaily.
November 29, 2012
At its November 13 meeting and after much debate, AIBC Council approved a moderate increase in membership fees for 2013.
The 1.4% increase, slightly more than the cost of living increase experienced over the past year, results in what is effectively a zero-based budget for the coming year, one that will allow the institute to keep pace with constantly increasing operating costs while continuing to deliver the programs, services and support that the membership has come to expect. It has been applied equally across all categories of membership.
Part of this reality is the return of the Provincial Sales Tax on April 1 of 2013, which will have a 7% increase on many business expenses across the organization.
The minimal increase also addresses significant costs to the institute associated with AIBC participation in the national Examination for Architects in Canada (ExAC) program, effective January 2013.
Invoices for the coming year will be sent out in early December.
Meanwhile, arising from work being done by the Finance Committee, council has established a new working group to review in a holistic way all categories of fees, and to provide recommendations for future adjustments of the existing fee schedule.
For details on the new fee rates, access the revised Bulletin 01: Fees, Fines and Charges online at http://www.aibc.ca/bulletins/Bulletin_01_Fees_Fines_and_Charges_2013.pdf.
Sincerely,
David Yustin Architect AIBC
AIBC Council President
davidyustin@gmail.com
November 28, 2012
Gregg Vincent Lutz Architect AIBC passed away suddenly on Saturday, November 17 at the age of 69. Gregg grew up in the rural community of Valencia, Pennsylvania before attending the University of Cincinnati’s School of Architecture, graduating in 1968. It was there he met his wife Janet. In 1975, they settled in the Nass River Valley in Northern British Columbia. Gregg registered with the AIBC in 1976, and in 1979 the couple moved to Terrace where they established Architecture North. In 1986, the family took up new residence in West Vancouver, renaming their firm Lutz Associates Architects. In 2008, the AIBC granted Gregg the honorary title of “Life Member of the AIBC”, recognizing 30 years of continuous membership. In addition to being a talented designer and craftsman, Gregg was an avid outdoorsman with a close connection to nature and the environment, having served as president of the Stanley Park Zoological Society from 1989 to 1991. Gregg is survived by his wife Janet Lutz Architect AIBC, and daughters Karen and Courtney. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society (www.bc.cancer.ca). A celebration of his life was held on Sunday, November 25, 1:00 p.m. at the West Vancouver United Church, 2062 Esquimalt Avenue.
November 28, 2012
Vancouver-based CEI Architecture has been recognized by the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, in its inaugural “Office Building of the Future” Design Competition. The NAIOP competition invited its 15,000 member architectural firms to share a vision for office building design and operations in the year 2020, utilization trends, sustainability and new building technologiesand including conceptual site plans and sketches, cost estimates and other broad design generalities. The competition jury considered such things as architectural philosophy, solving of design challenges and ability to “sell” the vision. The CEI concept, submitted in partnership with Reed Jones Christoffersen Consulting Engineers, Rocky Point Engineering, 2020 Engineering and SSA Quantity Surveyors Ltd., received an Honourable Mention, the only Canadian firm to be so recognized. It explored the idea of a 40-storey office building constructed from wood, including sustainability strategies to limit greenhouse gas emissions.
November 28, 2012
So Long, Frank Gehry. The Design World Turns on “Starchitecture” and its Excesses
by Alex Ulam, MacLean’s
November 21, 2012
Several days before the opening of the 2012 Venice Architecture Biennale, the most important architectural exhibition in the world, a middle-aged New York architect, Tod Williams, was shuffling around inside a rustic building adjacent to the Venice’s Arsenale, a massive brick complex several city blocks long where the Venetians formerly built their ships. It was a stifling hot day and Williams, bare-chested and dressed in a pair of baggy shorts, was arranging gray wood boxes contributed by several dozen leading figures from the architecture world. Swiss architect Peter Zumthor, winner of architecture world’s top award, the Pritzker Prize, had sent in a box topped with a series of small glass bottles filled with paint pigments. American architect Brad Cloepfil had filled his box with carved tree branches. Mack Scogin and Merrill Elam’s box has had a collage hanging from it that included doll limbs and black feathers that almost didn’t make it into the show because it was temporarily impounded by Italian customs. It was no accident that architectural models were not on display. “We said, ‘Do anything you wish,’” said Williams, “But fill it with something personal, something that is not architecture.” More … http://www2.macleans.ca/2012/11/21/building-for-the-other-99-per-cent/.
November 28, 2012
By Emily D’Alterio, DesignBuild Source
November 27, 2012
The highly anticipated new museum of philanthropist, developer and art collector Michael Audain, the Audain Art Museum in Whistler, is on track with the announcement of development’s newly-appointed architects. Vancouver-based architecture duo John and Patricia Patkau of Patkau Architects have been selected to design the site. Announced by museum board member Jim Moodie, both architects and development are expected to bring new life to the area. More … http://designbuildsource.ca/2012/11/architect-whistlers-museum/.
November 27, 2012
By Bob Ransford, Vancouver Sun
November 24, 2012
Vancouver’s new planner is on a mission to transform the way the city deals with growth. Brian Jackson, who recently took over as general manager of Planning and Development Services, has an urgent and daunting task ahead of him. There’s no more time left to talk about planning theories, give lectures about past Vancouver urban achievements or argue about the intent of old policies that have outlived their shelf life. Growth is challenging everyone. People continue to flock to Vancouver. More … http://www.vancouversun.com/news/City+needs+better+engage+citizens+housing+development/7605770/story.html.
November 27, 2012
By Jesse Donaldson, TheTyee.ca
November 24, 2012
On Sept. 30, after months of research, the Mayor’s Task Force on Housing Affordability released its final report, outlining the challenges facing renters and owner in Metro Vancouver’s housing marker. “We know that many people across a wide range of incomes face affordability challenges in our city,” it states, “from those with little income and no housing to those with a higher income but who struggle to find affordable, suitable and adequate housing… How Vancouverites decide to address these challenges is fundamental to the future of our city. Should we simply let the market decide what kind of city we want and who gets to live here? Or should we take the actions needed to increase the diversity of affordable housing options, and maintain the vibrancy, diversity and economic competitiveness of our city? More … http://thetyee.ca/Life/2012/11/24/Affordability-Crisis/?utm_source=mondayheadlines&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=261112.
November 26, 2012
By Bob Ransford, Vancouver Sun
November 24, 2012
Vancouver’s new planner is on a mission to transform the way the city deals with growth. Brian Jackson, who recently took over as general manager of Planning and Development Services, has an urgent and daunting task ahead of him. There’s no more time left to talk about planning theories, give lectures about past Vancouver urban achievements or argue about the intent of old policies that have outlived their shelf life. Growth is challenging everyone. People continue to flock to Vancouver. More … http://www.vancouversun.com/news/City+needs+better+engage+citizens+housing+development/7605770/story.html.
November 23, 2012
The AIBC is seeking architects interested in joining its Bylaw Review Committee to assist the institute in conducting a review of AIBC bylaws. The committee has been tasked with reviewing bylaws and making recommendations to council with respect to any bylaw amendments, deletions and new bylaws that may be appropriate in the context of the Architects Act and the AIBC’s public interest and professional regulation mandate. Any resulting amendments to AIBC bylaws, including deletions or new bylaws, require member support by way of vote. The committee’s work has been under way for more than a year, leading to the bylaw amendment vote at the May 2012 AIBC annual meeting. While the committee’s current focus is on consensual resolution bylaws, the committee is reviewing the full suite of AIBC bylaws. It meets approximately every second month at the AIBC, with interim e-mail and telephone meetings or exchanges to ensure workflow. Members with an interest and/or aptitude in the AIBC’s essential governance and regulatory mandate would be particularly valued as the bylaw review process unfolds. Interested members should submit an expression of interest to the AIBC, care of Professional Conduct Coordinator Gayle Roberts (Phone: (604) 683-8588 ext. 310; e-mail: groberts@aibc.ca). For further information on the committee’s terms of reference, scheduling or general matters, please contact AIBC General Counsel/Director of Professional Conduct & Illegal Practice Thomas Lutes (Phone: (604) 683-8588 ext. 321; e-mail: tlutes@aibc.ca.)
November 23, 2012
The City of Vancouver is now accepting nominations for its 2013 Heritage Awards. This awards program acknowledges special accomplishments, projects and efforts that have furthered the goal of heritage conservation in the city. Consideration is given to projects that have been completed within the last six years and which have not previously received City of Vancouver Heritage Award recognition. This includes restoration, rehabilitation, adaptive re-use or continued maintenance of a heritage building or structure; use of innovative engineering techniques or restoration/conservation methods in upgrading; preservation of a heritage landscape or other natural feature, heritage education; community revitalization efforts; and heritage advocacy. For additional information including nomination forms, visit http://vancouver.ca/heritageawards. The deadline for nominations is Monday, January 28, 2013.
AIBC eNews 
You must be logged in to post a comment.