Architecture in 2013: Gimme Shelter – Plus Security, Fitness, Warmth and Exuberance

By Lisa Rochon, Globe and Mail
January 5, 2013

For 2013, expect more integrity, more humanity and more morality in architecture. There will be some gains and serious rewards. But only if the rallying cry to break from conventional ideas of architecture comes from the people: clients, developers and the media. These four ideas can inspire us to throw down our chairs from the windows, take to the barricades, and demand beauty, environmental breakthroughs and intelligent, healing landscapes. More … http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/art-and-architecture/architecture-in-2013-gimme-shelter-plus-security-fitness-warmth-and-exuberance/article6944247/?page=1.

Seeing Double: What China’s Copycat Culture Means For Architecture

By Oliver Wainwright, The Guardian
January 7, 2012

With its soaring church spire, pastel-coloured chalets and splendid lakeside location, Hallstatt looks every inch a picture-postcard alpine town – a place that echoes with the sound of cowbells and yodelling, every windowbox overflowing with edelweiss. But this isn’t Hallstatt in Austria. This one is in Huizhou city, in southern China. When it was reported last year that the ­Austrian town had been “secretly cloned”, right down to its statues of angels, some ­residents were outraged. But the mayor, ­Alexander Scheutz, was over the moon. “We are very proud,” he said, as he signed up to a cultural ­exchange with his town’s new twin. More … http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/architecture-design-blog/2013/jan/07/china-copycat-architecture-seeing-double.

Reminder: Architect AIBC Title in Effect

Members will recall that Bylaw 10 was amended at the May 2012 annual meeting, replacing the initials “MAIBC” with “Architect AIBC” as an architect’s title in British Columbia. This is a second reminder to members and firms to amend letterhead, business cards, e-mail signatures, web sites, title blocks and other documents and communication as soon as possible. For further information regarding the proper use of the title “Architect AIBC”, visit the institute’s AIBC Documents web page (http://www.aibc.ca/member_resources/doc_index/index.html) and refer to AIBC Bulletin 21: Architect AIBC Title. If you have any questions, please contact Director of Professional Services Paul Becker Architect AIBC P.Eng. (pbecker@aibc.ca) or General Counsel/Director of Professional Conduct & Illegal Practice Thomas Lutes  (tlutes@aibc.ca).

Next Round of Oral Reviews and Oral Review Preparation Workshop

Oral Reviews
The AIBC will be hosting its next set of oral reviews on Wednesday and Thursday, February 20 and 21, 2013. The oral review is an interview-based examination open to those intern architects who have:

completed and logged at least 2800 hours; and

completed the required AIBC courses.

Click here to view complete details and download the application form.

Applications, along with an employer’s letter and fee payment, must be received by Wednesday, February 6. Eligibility will be confirmed by the Registration & Licensing Department.

Preparation Workshop
In addition, the AIBC will be hosting a free Oral Review Preparation Workshop on Wednesday, January 23, at 6:00 p.m. at the AIBC offices. For any questions or to r.s.v.p. for the workshop, please contact Admissions and Administration Coordinator Vicki Charman at vcharman@aibc.ca.

Role Call: AIBC Intern Architect Committee

The Intern Architect Committee is seeking Intern Architects to join its team. The committee meets once per month, usually the second Thursday of the month, 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. at the AIBC. The committee provides services and support to IAs seeking registration. It also voices the concerns, issues and suggestions of IAs to the AIBC’s Registration Board. In turn, the board may seek feedback from the committee regarding the Intern Architect Program. In addition to facilitating communications with IAs, the committee assists in maintaining and organizing the examination study material library; study seminars and Oral Review Workshops; and other IA activities. If you are interested, please submit an expression of interest along with a curriculum vitae or brief summary of professional background. For further information or to submit an expression of interest, please contact Admissions and Administration Coordinator Vicki Charman at (604) 683-8588 x313 or vcharman@aibc.ca.