AIBC Summer Hours

Beginning Friday, June 28, the AIBC Architecture Centre, including the institute’s offices and the AIBC Gallery, will move to its summer hours of operation: Monday – Thursday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and  Friday 8:30 – 1:00 p.m.

In Passing: Herwig Pimiskern

Herwig (Vic) Pimiskern Architect AIBC passed away on June 2, 2013 at the age of 71. Herwig was born in Zagreb, Croatia (formerly Yugoslavia). His family immigrated to British Columbia in 1957. He attended the University of Toronto and then the University of British Columbia where he graduated from the School of Architecture with honors in 1967. He first registered with the AIBC in 1970. His subsequent career included working for Bing G. Marr Architect in addition to his own practice. He is survived by his partner Farideh and sons Konrad, Frank and Mark. An interment will be held at the District of North Vancouver Cemetery on June 18, 2013 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make donations in Vic’s name may do so to the Canadian Diabetes Association.

Revised Vancouver Rezoning & Development Application Review Process

Please be advised of a change in procedures for Rezoning and Development Application reviews in Vancouver. In an effort to better serve customers, staff in the city’s Processing Centre-Building (PC-B) Branch will provide preliminary building code compliance comments at the Rezoning and Development Application review stage for projects that involve retention, additions or alterations. These projects tend to be more complex and challenging from a building code perspective. This preliminary review will be provided at no additional cost to applicants. The city will no longer review Rezoning and Development Applications for building code compliance for projects that involve new construction. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure the project meets the requirements of the Vancouver Building Bylaw. New construction projects offer designers more opportunities to comply with the Vancouver Building By-law, and often involve a certified professional as part of the project team. Applicants are strongly encouraged to retain the services of a qualified building code consultant early in their projects. In projects where a Certified Professional (CP) will be used, it is recommended that the CP be brought on at an early stage to provide this building code overview. Delaying inclusion of a qualified code consultant onto the project team can result in delays and additional expense should the  rezoning or development plans not meet Vancouver Building Bylaw requirements.

Cinema Vancouver

As part of infuse2013.ca, the Canadian Institute of Planners 2013 national conference, you are invited to attend “Cinema Vancouver” – a community film screening and dialogue. Using a series of short films and videos culled from local and national film archives and libraries, this screening will showcase some truly unique, including some seldom-seen, mid-20^th Century representations of Vancouver. Aimed at community planners, historians, cinephiles, and city-lovers of all stripes, “Cinema Vancouver” is intended as both a visual treat for the senses and a unique opportunity for dialogue around film, community planning, and historical representations of the city. then explore the city through its architectural patterns (City Patterns, CBC, 1962), re-visit notions of “blight” and “urban” renewal in the 1960s (To Build a Better City, NFB/CMHC/City of Vancouver, 1964), travel along Robson Street when it was the epicentre of German-Canadian culture (Robson Street Stories, CBC, 1964), and set out on a contemplative journey through the city set to the accompaniment of dynamic spoken word and folk music (City Song, CBC, 1961). The program will be followed by a Q&A with special guest speakers. It all happens Sunday, July 7, 2013,  7:15 p.m. at the Pacific Cinematheque, 1131 Howe Street, Vancouver. Admission is $15.