University of British Columbia Continuing Studies Centre for Sustainability

Introduction to Energy Modelling For The Built Environment

This 12-hour course offers a conceptual understanding of energy modelling to developers, architects, designers, engineers, project managers and planners. Learn common terminology, business practices and principles of energy modelling. Examine future directions, requirements, and government policy affecting the industry. This course will enable participants to:

• Learn how energy is used in buildings, and the primary factors that influence energy consumption in buildings;
• Gain a high level understanding of what tools are available for modelling energy use in buildings, including for what purposes different tools are best suited;
• Understand the basic information required to build an energy model and how long a typical energy model process takes; and,
• Understand the applications for energy models in regard to design assistance; LEED and other sustainability rating systems; building permit applications; and energy optimization programs.

This course takes place over four Tuesdays from May 7- May 28, 2013, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. at UBC Robson Square, 800 Granville Street, Vancouver. For more information and to register, visit http://cstudies.ubc.ca/sustainability/professional-credentials/index.html.

12 Core LUs

 

 

LEED® Green Building Strategies And Green Associate Exam Preparation

This 10-session, 36-hour course provides comprehensive preparation for the LEED Green Associate exam, a first step towards becoming a green building practitioner. The LEED Green Associate credential distinguishes practitioners with a sound knowledge of green design, construction and operations. Designed by the Canada Green Building Council, this course provides an overview of the techniques, approaches, materials and technologies used in the LEED rating systems. Using a wide range of examples, case studies and site visits, it will enable participants to:

• Understand the imperative for a green transformation of our built environment;
• Explain the key components of the LEED rating system;
• Apply core concepts and strategies to achieve success using the LEED rating system; and
• Determine where different LEED rating systems can be applied.

No previous experience is required, and participants will be eligible and prepared to write the LEED Green Associate Exam upon successful completion of this course. It takes place over four Tuesdays and Thursdays (6:30-9:30 p.m.) and two Saturdays (9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.) from May 9 – June 4, 2013, at UBC Robson Square, 800 Granville Street, Vancouver. For more information and to register, visit http://cstudies.ubc.ca/sustainability/professional-credentials/index.html.

36 Core LUs

 

 

Energy Modeling Processes And Methodology For The Built Environment

Professional energy modeling for buildings requires an understanding of how to model in uncertain environments (such as buildings under design) and knowledge of software tools and techniques to create energy models. In this hands-on, computer-based 18-hour workshop, participants will learn the methodology of using energy modelling as a design tool while gaining practical experience using various modeling technologies for the built environment. Develop your understanding of energy inputs, including how to ask the right kinds of questions, perform parametric analysis, interpret results, and effectively communicate your findings. This course is designed for professionals working in the built environment – architects, engineers, cost accountants, consultants and project managers – as well as individuals seeking a career in energy modeling. It will enable participants to effectively use energy as a construct for building design and development. This four-session course takes place over two Thursdays (6:30-9:30 p.m.) and two Saturdays (9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.) from June 6 – June 15, 2013 at UBC Robson Square, 800 Granville Street, Vancouver. For more information and to register, visit http://cstudies.ubc.ca/sustainability/professional-credentials/index.html.

18 Core LUs

NCARB Blackout Period

As announced in September 2011, the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards is making technical changes in the management of its Architect Registration Examination program data, effective July 1, 2013. While Prometric will continue to be the site management consultant, Alpine Testing Solutions Inc. will be assuming responsibility for ARE content and candidate management. In order to facilitate this change, there will be an estimated eight-week blackout period for ARE candidates. This means:

• No exam appointments may be scheduled on or after July 1 until the blackout period ends in late-August;
• Beginning July 1, no exams will be administered until the blackout ends;
• The last day to take an exam before the blackout is June 30;
• The last batch of exams taken on or before June 30 will be scored by Prometric prior to data migration to Alpine Testing Solutions; and
• The last day to contact Prometric to receive authorization to test/candidate ID numbers is June 30.

 

NCARB will grant all candidates an automatic 12–week extension to the rolling clock post-blackout. Also, while there will be no changes to exam content post-blackout, the process to schedule an exam appointment and receive score reports will be different.

Note: The AIBC will not have access to the candidate database during the blackout and thus will not be able to enter or create exam eligibilities or update contact information during this time.

For further details, go to www.ncarb.org/en/ARE/ARE-Portal .

Starting Your Own Architecture Firm: Challenges For Women

Architizer
March 20, 2013

Starting your own firm is a challenge for all architects. But women face an extra set of battles, from breaking out of the residential and interiors game to finding some semblance of a work-family balance in a profession that frequently demands a 60-hour work week. Not to mention that the stats are still very much stacked against women, who earn roughly 41% of the architecture degrees but make up just 17% of the ranks of principals and partners. We can’t all be Zaha! (Even if we were, we’d still have lots to complain about.) More … http://www.architizer.com/en_us/blog/dyn/79565/starting-your-own-architecture-firm-challenges-for-women/.

Council of Education Facility Planners International – British Columbia Chapter

CEFPI Spring 2013 Conference: Exploring Personalized Learning

Plan on attending the CEFPI spring conference, “Exploring Personalized Learning”, taking place Thursday to Friday, April 25-26, 2013 at the Holiday Inn Vancouver Centre, 711 West Broadway, Vancouver. Take part in guided tours of Lord Kitchener Elementary, where a new school building has been connected to an existing heritage school; and University Hill Secondary, the site of the former U.B.C. National Research Council building which, through renovation and expansion, has been transformed into a new 800-student capacity school. Other conference highlights include keynote speaker Dr. Susan Rundle, who will discuss demographics, socioeconomic realities, shifting public policy, classroom diversity and many other of the countless factors to be considered when designing schools today. Combine this with the goals of improving education and increasing performance , and the result demands a reshaping of the classroom landscape – moving from teacher-centered classrooms to learning-centered spaces. There will also be an update from the British Columbia Ministry of Education. Program sessions include:

• Personalized Learning: Cognitive Apprenticeship;
• How Evidence-Based Design Can Help Improve Learning Environments;
• Case Study – Energetic Learning Campus After Two Years, How Personalized Learning is Occurring; and
• Case Study – Lessons Learning in Integrating Design with Personalized Learning in Vancouver’s New Schools

For more information and to register, visit http://www.cefpi.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3305.

Full day conference: 5 core LUs

Tours: maximum 2 core LUs

Architectural Inspiration

TED.com
March 18, 2013

Over the weekend, Japanese architect Toyo Ito was awarded the 2013 Pritzker Architecture Prize. We were so inspired by his project “Home-For-All,” communal spaces for those affected by the 2011 earthquake. Makes us wonder: what building in the world do you find most inspiring? Master architects share their vision for buildings that inflate, float, twist and glitter, while artfully addressing the challenges faced by their residents, their cities and the planet. More … http://www.ted.com/playlists/25/architectural_inspiration.html.