An Architectural Eyesore or a Potential Masterpiece? Proposed Building For False Creek Could Divide The City

By Sam Cooper, The Province
September 22, 2013

If a complex rezoning is approved, an awkward jigsaw-puzzle of urban lots under the north side of Vancouver’s Granville Bridge could give rise to a twisted 152-metre beehive of a tower that has the city’s art and architecture crowd panting with desire. The 52-floor tower design by Danish superstar architect Bjarke Ingels — part Bladerunner, part modern sculpture — would be such an exclamation point amid Vancouver’s monotone sheet-glass condo towers, that some see it as a pivotal opportunity in the city’s evolution. More …

SFU City Program: How Photography Can Enhance the Professional Practice of Architecture, Urban Planning and Design

Photography can enhance proposals, provide more accurate site and context evaluation, clarify and improve all kinds of communications, reduce time and construction costs, record progress, assist post-occupancy surveys, and help win awards. Led by instructor Richard Hulbert, this one-day course will provide a basic understanding of how people visually perceive the environment around them, and illustrate how photography can improve your photography skills and final products. It happens Wednesday, November 6, 2013, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at SFU Harbour Centre, 555 West Hastings Street, Vancouver. The cost is $252. Click here to register online

7.5 Non-core LUs

SFU City Program Fall 2013 Urban Design Courses: Implementation Methods

One important challenge faced by today’s urban designers is that, when measuring their final products against the urban design plans, design guidelines, and comprehensive community input, the results are often disappointing, and at times unacceptable. So what goes wrong? This course will focus on the implementation of urban design projects in dynamic and often complex situations. Through discussions, case studies and exercises, participants will learn new tools and techniques to help ensure successful implementation of their projects. It takes place Friday and Saturday, December 6-7, 2013, 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. at SFU Harbour Centre, 555 West Hastings Street, Vancouver. $650 to register. Click here.

14 Non-core LUs

SFU City Program Fall 2013 Urban Design Courses: Economic Fundamentals

Traditionally, there has been a significant gap between financial analysts and urban designers. This two-day course will help to close this gap by introducing the important relationships that exist between economics and urban design. The first day will introduce the tools and techniques of land economics analysis. The second day will focus on applying these tools through a variety of current case studies that are relevant to urban design and planning practice. The details: Friday and Saturday, November 15-16, 2013, 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. at SFU Harbour Centre, 555 West Hastings Street, Vancouver. The registration fee is $650. click here.

14 Non-core LUs

SFU City Program Fall 2013 Urban Design Courses: Visual Communication

Drawing and visual communication skills are essential in urban design. In this hands-on course, participants will learn and practice graphic techniques that will enhance one’s ability to communicate ideas visually. Explore how to effectively use graphics for different audiences in the urban design process. If you’re a novice, this course will increase your confidence by leaps and bounds as you learn the basics of line and form drawing, colour, and perspective techniques. If you’re more experienced, this course will be a good refresher that will also address more advanced drawing and presentation techniques. It happens Friday and Saturday, October 25-26, 2013, 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. at SFU Harbour Centre, 555 West Hastings Street, Vancouver. The cost is $650. For details and to sign up, click here.

14 Non-core LUs

SFU City Program Fall 2013 Urban Design Courses: Theory & Practice

Our buildings and spaces need to fit our urban, social, and economic environments. This intensive urban design course draws from many disciplines — architecture, ecology, economics, engineering, real estate development, landscape architecture, planning, and sociology — to find that fit. Building on the experience and insight of many specialists who play a role in urban design, as well as our students’ individual and collective knowledge, participants will use the city as a studio for the careful examination of space and built form. Instructors include Frank Ducote, Frank Ducote Urban Design; Michael Gordon, City of Vancouver; Scot Hein, City of Vancouver; and Michael von Hausen, MVH Urban Planning and Design. This two-day course runs Friday and Saturday, September 27-29, 2013, 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. at SFU Harbour Centre, 555 West Hastings Street, Vancouver. The cost is $650. For more information and to register, click here.

14 Core LUs

Simon Fraser University

SFU City Program: Urban Design Certificate

Taught by renowned practitioners and industry leaders, the SFU’s Urban Design Certificate equips mid-career professionals with the right tools to create positive changes in their communities. Our hands-on programs feature eight two- and three-day intensive courses. The application deadline for the Fall 2013 cohort has been extended to September 25, 2013, so there is still time to apply. For more information, click here.

Tiling Specifications Guide

The Terrazzo, Tile & Marble Association of Canada, part of the AIBC’s Registered Educational Provider Program, has developed a new tool that may be of value to the architectural community. The TTMAC Tiling Guide Specification 2013 is a practical tool to assist in editing specifications needed to describe the installation and performance requirements of ceramic and stone tile. The master specification is in an editable format, allowing architects, interior designers and specifiers to easily customize the document to suit the unique requirements of any project. Click here for the free, downloadable document.