Council Resignation: BD/RD Liaison David Boswell

David Boswell Building Designer AscT has resigned from his role as the Building Designer / Residential Designer Liaison to AIBC Council, effective July 18, 2013. In stepping down, Boswell noted that council’s recent decision to amalgamate the associate categories of Architectural Technologist, Building Designer and Residential Designer into a single category (Architectural Technologist) effectively eliminated the need for a BD/RD liaison at the council table. Current Architectural Technologist Liaison Michael Currie has agreed to continue in that capacity.

Arb Considers Radical Overhaul of Architecture Qualifications

By Elizabeth Hopkirk, Building Design
July 18, 2013

A radical overhaul of architecture qualifications is being considered by the Arb board. The changes could potentially allow those with a degree in a subject other than architecture to do a part II, and foreign-qualified architects to join the Arb register without achieving the three-part qualification of a UK education. The “root and branch” review would look at whether registration should continue to be based on qualifications and if alternative routes would broaden access to the professional register. More …

Ron Thom’s West Van Masterpiece: Sneak Peek at The Carmichael Residence

By Jordan Yerman, Vancouver Observer
July 11, 2013

I normally write about unaffordable homes that you can buy, but today let’s mix it up: here’s a remarkable home that is far less expensive than you may think… but you cannot buy it. I had a chance to explore the Carmichael Residence, a house designed by architect Ron Thom in 1957, as a preview to the West Coast Modern Home Tour. Thom described the Carmichael Residence as “fun and games with three-dimensional space”, and this applies to dweller as well as designer. More …

Fenestration Association of BC

Mark your calendars for the Fenestration West 2013 Conference. This year’s conference features sessions on glass innovation, materials and systems; energy performance specification of glazing products; acoustic performance of windows; thermal bridging for building assemblies; and building water-tight side hinged doors / hardware performance. It takes place Wednesday, October 23, 2013 from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Delta Burnaby (4331 Dominion Street, Burnaby). For more information and to register, click here.

3.75 AIBC Core LUs (For full-day participation)

$50,000 Design Prize

The University of British Columbia’s School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture invites nominations for this year’s Margolese National Design for Living Prize. This award was created through a generous estate gift made to the University of British Columbia by Leonard Herbert Margolese, and provides a $50,000 prize recognizing Canadian citizens who are actively making outstanding contributions to the development or improvement of living environments for Canadians of all economic classes. The deadline for nominations is Tuesday, October 1, 2013. For further details and nomination forms, go online to sala.ubc.ca/margolese.

What’s special About This West Vancouver House? Its Main Building Material, For Starters

By Adele Weder, Globe and Mail
July 12, 2013

British Columbia is famous for its post-and-beam architecture of cedar, pine, hemlock and fir. But for a growing number of situations, the material of choice is a different kind of wood altogether: cross-laminated timber. The ultra-strong engineered wood is what architect Greg Dowling chose as the main structural material for his own residence. Although a growing number of architects are looking at cross-laminated timber (CLT) for their larger projects, this is the first house in North America to use CLT as the main building material – floors, walls and ceilings – according to Mr. Dowling. “I was the architect, contractor and client all in one, so I had the choice to do it this way,” he says. More …

Role Call: Volunteer Recognition Committee

The AIBC is seeking an additional member for the institute’s Volunteer Recognition Committee. The committee offers its members not only a volunteer opportunity but also the responsibility for encouraging and acknowledging the importance of volunteerism within the architectural profession. This operational committee provides advice and assistance to AIBC staff regarding the volunteer recognition program. It reviews nominations and makes recommendations to AIBC Council for the institute’s Special Certificate of Recognition, Barbara Dalrymple Memorial Award, AIBC Honorary Membership and the newly-created AIBC Lifetime Achievement Award. The committee also assists with the annual volunteer recognition event.  The AIBC encourages past recipients of these awards as well as members at large to submit expressions of interest to the attention of Program Coordinator Gayle Roberts at (604) 683-8588, ext. 310 or by e-mail at groberts@aibc.ca.