Likely AIBC Closure on Wednesday, February 20

BC Hydro has notified the AIBC of the need for emergency repairs to address an electrical system problem that will necessitate a full power outage in the area of Hastings Street and Cambie Street. As a result, it is anticipated that the AIBC Offices will be closed on Wednesday, February 20, 2013. This closure will also apply to the other tenants in The Architecture Centre at 440 Cambie. Efforts are under way to reschedule meetings and appointments slated for that day. In addition, the institute will continue to pursue other options that might allow the office to remain open. If successful, a notice will be issued. It is our expectation that normal business operations will resume on Thursday, February 21. For further information, contact BC Hydro at 1-888-769-3766. We apologize for any inconvenience, and thank you for your understanding.

Cascadia Community Social

The Metro Vancouver Branch of the Cascadia Green Building Council invites you to take part in the Cascadia Community Social – Kickoff to 2013, taking place Wednesday, February 27, 6:00 – 9:30 p.m. at the offices of the Integral Group, 200 Granville Street, Vancouver. Join Cascadia’s Metro Vancouver leadership team and other active members of the green community for drinks, appies, and thought-provoking discussion. Attendees will also gain an overview of the program for the upcoming CaGBC National Conference & Expo, June 4-6, 2013 in Vancouver. This event is free for Cascadia members, and guests are welcome if accompanied by a member. To learn more and register, visit http://www.eventbrite.com/event/5460851554.

Heritage Vancouver Society

Heritage Talks: Vancouver’s Main Post Office – The Role of the Community in Determining its Future
Join Heritage Vancouver representatives in a conversation about future uses for Vancouver’s Main Post Office. The Canada Post Building is one of Vancouver’s last completely intact mid-century modern buildings. Recently sold to a developer, the building now has an uncertain future. Philip Boname of Urbanics Consultants, Patricia Bourque Architect AIBC of Bourque Brueggerto Architects, and retired architect Bruno Freschi ( known for his role as chief architect for Expo 86) will lead the conversation. It takes place Wednesday, March 27, 2013, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at 100-938 Howe Street, Vancouver. To register, visit http://www.heritagevancouver.org/.

2 Core LUs

Summary: February 12 Special Meeting of AIBC Council

A special public meeting of AIBC Council was held on Tuesday, February 12, for the primary purpose of considering a series of proposed new bylaws regarding consensual resolution. Following a thorough discussion, council expressed its support for and approval of the draft bylaws, developed by the institute`s Bylaw Review Committee for a mail ballot vote by members. These bylaws would re-establish a process for consensual resolution of disciplinary matters as now permitted under provincial legislation. The proposed bylaws, along with explanatory information, will be mailed to members in the coming weeks, and would require a two-thirds affirmative majority of members.

An additional business item saw council members approve the appointment of Michael Green Architect AIBC to AIBC Council under Section 13 of the Architects Act. Green had been removed from council under Section 12 of the Act after failing to meet the February 1 deadline for payment of fees and thus losing his good standing. reestablished his status as a member in good standing, Green was chosen by council to fill the vacancy that had been created.

The next meeting of AIBC Council is scheduled for Tuesday, March 12, 2013, beginning at 11:00 a.m. at the AIBC Offices (#100 – 440 Cambie Street, Vancouver).

Dowco Technology Services Ltd.

1st ArchiCAD BC User Group Meeting

Join other ArchiCAD users in learning about Building Information Modeling as a transformative workflow, including  how BIM reduces risk while improving overall work quality. Discover how an integrated process such as BIM can facilitate companies to achieve more through collaboration and interoperability, even though they may implement different CAD platforms. This free event takes place Thursday, February 21, 2013, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. at 2433 Holdom Avenue, Burnaby. Register online at http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Save-the-Date—February-21st—3pm-to-5pm—BC-ArchiCAD-User-Group-Meeting-2013.html?soid=1112323515043&aid=vtlGzXywukQ. Snacks and refreshments will be served.

2 Core LUs

Children of The Revolution

What will the rise of the Millennials mean for architecture?
By Elizabeth Evitts Dickinson, Architect
February 11, 2013 

When Steven Ratley graduated with a B.Arch from Virginia Tech School of Architecture and Design in May 2011, job prospects for aspiring architects were bleak. He and his college roommate, another architecture major named Kalin Cannady, picked up and moved to San Francisco. “Since you can’t control that you’re unemployed, you can at least control where you’re unemployed,” says Ratley, now 27, who believed that San Francisco would foster two entrepreneurial types with dreams of entering the design profession. More … http://www.architectmagazine.com/architects/children-of-the-revolution_1.aspx.

North Vancouver Advisory Design Panel Appointments

The AIBC congratulates the following members who were nominated by the AIBC and have now been appointed to a two-year term on the City of North Vancouver’s Advisory Design Panel:

• Helen Besharat  Architect AIBC
• Duane Siegrist  Architect AIBC

Thank you to all applicants expressing interest in volunteering to represent the profession.

BUILDEX: Wood Construction Takes Centre Stage This Year

By Shannon Moneo, Journal of Commerce
February 11, 2012

In the seminar Innovation in Wood Construction, engineer Eric Karsh and architect Jana Foit will hammer home the benefits of wood construction and how new wood building materials will lead to projects beyond the six-storey limit that exists in B.C. today. “The new wood products have progressed so much. Building codes need to recognize the differences and include them in the standards,” said Karsh, a civil engineer and principal at Vancouver’s Equilibrium Consulting. More … http://joc.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/viewer.aspx.

The World’s Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Architecture

Fast Company
February 11, 2013

Our annual guide to the state of innovation in our economy, featuring the businesses whose innovations are having the greatest impacts across their industries and our culture as a whole. More … http://www.fastcompany.com/most-innovative-companies/2013/industry/architecture.

2013 Advocates For Architecture Awards

Do you know of an organization or an individual who is tireless in the promotion of architecture in British Columbia? Is there an unsung hero who deserves recognition for his/her efforts to raise the profile and public awareness of architecture and the profession? The Metro Vancouver Chapter of Architecture Canada is now accepting nominations for its Advocates for Architecture Awards, which celebrate contributions made in the advocacy of architecture in Metro Vancouver and throughout British Columbia. These awards honour community members, architectural professionals, emerging practitioners and organizations whose efforts have inspired a dialogue of critical issues relevant to the building industry while contributi8ng to society’s increased awareness and appreciation of the significant role architecture plays in all our lives. This is an opportunity to recognize and encourage individuals and organizations that, through their vision and extraordinary efforts, make a significant contribution to society. Nominees should have furthered the public’s awareness and appreciation of design excellence through their thoughtful leadership or outstanding service to the community in the area of architectural or environmental design advocacy. The deadline for nominations is June 24, 2013. For further information, visit http://www.raic.org/metrovancouver or call (604) 681-9227.

What Can You Afford? New Housing Affordability Index Shows it Varies Across Metro Vancouver

By Tracy Sherlock, Vancouver Sun
February 15, 2013

Headlines regularly tell people that Vancouver is among the least affordable cities in the world. But often they don’t tell the full story — that while the city of Vancouver is a pricey place to be a homeowner, the suburbs still have home prices that are affordable to most families. Today, The Vancouver Sun introduces the UDI/FortisBC Housing Affordability Index, a new way to look at housing prices that provides a clearer, more specific picture of affordability across Metro Vancouver. More … http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Vancouver+housing+affordability+index+shows+varies/7967396/story.html.

The Daily Troll: State of Downtown

Why Can’t we be More Like Vancouver?
By Joe Copeland, Crosscut
February 13, 2013

The Suburban Cities Association today rebranded itself as the Sound Cities Association. The group, which represents King County cities under 150,000 in population, said the new name reflects “a different stage” for them. The group claims they have become a more important part of a single region, not just outlying bedroom communities. More … http://crosscut.com/2013/02/13/thedailytroll/112948/daily-troll-state-downtown-rodney-toms-bashes-seat/?utm_source=Crosscut+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=b572cde501-Crosscut_Daily_Newsletter_2_14_20132_14_2013&utm_medium=email.

2013 Western Living Awards – Deadline Extended

Entries are now being accepted for Western Living magazine’s 2013 Designers of The Year Awards. Architects, designer and other creative types are invited to take part in this program, which celebrates the best new designs in Western Canada. Categories include Architecture, Eco, Fashion, Furniture, Industrial, Interiors, Industrial, Landscape, and the Arthur Erickson Memorial Award for an emerging architect or designer. This year’s judges include: Tom Kundig of Olson Kundig Architects (Seattle), interior designer Robert Ledingham BID RID, Jeremy Sturgess MAAA FRAIC RCA of Sturgess Architecture (Calgary), Vivian Manasc AAA FRAIC Leed AP of Manasc Isaac Architects (Edmonton), and Thomas Mueller, President & CEO – Canada Green Building Council. The newly-extended entry deadline is April 15, 2013. For additional information and entry forms, go online to http://westernlivingmagazine.com/HD/Designers-of-the-Year-Entry-info-2013.html.

Five Ideas to Make Vancouver More Affordable

Housing experts weigh in ahead of BUILDEX keynote panel on Feb. 14
By Jackie Wong, TheTyee.ca
February 11, 2013

It’s been a year since Brent Toderian was suddenly and controversially fired from his job as the City of Vancouver’s planning director. He now heads up his own city planning and urban consultancy firm, Toderian Urbanworks, where he’s at work, among many other things locally, nationally and internationally, on two local affordable housing projects and three job-space projects, as well as a citywide plan for Regina, Canada’s second fastest growing city. His planning work today echoes what he previously did with the City of Vancouver. A key difference between now and then is he can talk about urban issues without first asking permission from his bosses to discuss them. More … http://thetyee.ca/News/2013/02/11/Vancouver-Affordable-Housing/?utm_source=mondayheadlines&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=110213

Multiple Identities

An ambitious exhibition gathers diverse visions of Montreal at the Canadian Centre for Architecture
By Louise Pelletier, Canadian Architect
February 1, 2012

Over the past two decades, the Canadian Centre for Architecture has been at the heart of a cultural transformation, brought about in part by changing tools of representation and communication, but also by the new role of museums as agents of cultural change. Architecture galleries around the world are attempting to bridge the gap between viewer and display in order to promote a more active participation of the public. More … http://www.canadianarchitect.com/news/multiple-identities/1001994723/?type=Print%20Archives.