AIBC Gallery: 2013 AIBC Architectural Awards

AIBC Gallery: #100 – 440 Cambie Street, Vancouver

Winners and other submissions for the 2013 AIBC Architectural Awards are on display from November 4  to December 20, 2013. The exhibit showcases the best in B.C. architecture, encompassing more than 60 submissions garnered across three award categories: The Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia Awards in Architecture; The AIBC Innovation Award; and the AIBC Special Jury Award. The AIBC Gallery is free and open to the public Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Click here to view the award winners.

Wood WORKS! BC

2013 Wood Solutions Fair

Wood WORKS! BC presents a one-day educational event where you learn about the latest industry trends and innovations for designing and building with wood. The fair will  focus on wood products and their use in construction. Suppliers and technical experts will be on hand to answer questions about wood. Attendees will be able to apply “on the job” what they’ve learned from the seminars and information provided. Designed for all industry professionals, It takes place Tuesday, October 29, 2013. Admission is free when you pre-register by October 24. For more information, visit www.woodsolutionsfair.com, or contact Zena Caul at zcaul@wood-works.ca or by calling 877-929=9663, ext 4.

Each seminar is worth 1 Core LU

Why Our Brains Love Curvy Architecture

By Eric Jaffe, Fast Company
October 17, 2013

When the great architect Philip Johnson first visited the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, designed by Frank Gehry, he started to cry. “Architecture is not about words. It’s about tears,” Johnson reportedly said. Something about the museum’s majestic curves moved him at an emotional level. Many others must get a similar feeling, because the building is usually ranked among the most important in modern times. Whether or not Johnson and Gehry realized it, the Bilbao and its swirling façade tapped into a primal human emotional network. Time and again, when people are asked to choose between an object that’s linear and one that’s curved, they prefer the latter. That goes for watches with circular faces, letters rendered in a curly font, couches with smooth cushions–even dental floss with round packaging. More …

How Toronto Planners Ensure Mediocrity

By Christopher Hume, Toronto Star
October 18, 2013

Toronto city planners may not know what they like, but to the rest of us the answer is obvious: glass towers. You don’t have to go far in this city to come across the results of the planning department’s love affair with the now ubiquitous see-through highrise. There are dozens of examples of architectural transparency, one barely distinguishable from the other. More …

Why Architects Are Touting Metal Roofs For Urban Dwellers

By Dave McGinn, Globe and Mail
October 16, 2013

Metal roofs have long been seen on rural buildings thanks to their practical advantages for country living. They’re long-lasting and much easier to use than shingles when covering large surfaces, like the top of an equipment shed. But they are now also fashionable among architects and builders who are drawn to them for their environmental benefits and ability to complement the modernist sensibility of their creations. Metal roofs were a prominent part of the Toronto Fall Home Show earlier this month, a clear sign of the material’s migration from rural to urban. Their popularity has been growing for several years for architects, who say metal is an ideal way to showcase a part of a dwelling that is often treated as a design afterthought. More …

The Changing Landscape of Malls

By Oliver Lam, BC Business
October 7, 2013

The landscape of shopping malls is changing and the driving force is a push to move retail destinations from enclosed environments to vibrant urban neighbourhoods.“Metro Vancouver is known as one of the bright lights in this movement to re-urbanize old shopping malls,” says Brent Toderian, president of the Council for Canadian Urbanism. “And part of that re-urbanization is turning them from enclosed to outside walking streets that seem to replicate the environment, lifestyle and qualities of traditional main streets.” More …

AIBC Council Meeting Summary: October 8, 2013

At AIBC Council’s meeting on Tuesday, October 8, 2013 it dealt with the following matters:

• Council approved a motion from its Associates Task Force calling for the following designations to be introduced for the three Associate categories of registrant: Architectural Technologist AIBC; Intern Architect AIBC; and Retired Architect AIBC. While several options were considered, it was agreed that the use of the institute’s initials was consistent with the designation for architects (Architect AIBC) while providing clarity and assurance to the public. These designations for associates are to come into effect as of January 1, 2014. Attention will now focus on the matter of associates practising independently, providing design services within the exceptions of the Architects Act.

• AIBC Council President Scott Kemp  Architect AIBC reported on a recent meeting with the Honourable Amrit Virk, Minister of Advanced Education. The minister and other senior ministry staff spoke with Kemp, Council Vice President Darryl Condon  Architect AIBC, Council member Gordon Richards  Architect AIBC, Lieutenant Governor Appointee Steve Simons, AIBC Deputy Executive Director and General Council Thom Lutes and AIBC Director of Communications David Wiebe. The meeting provided an opportunity to introduce the recently-appointed minister to the institute and its representatives, and to discuss issues of government priority and process. This included council’s interest in bringing about unspecified changes to the Architects Act to address deficiencies in the century-old legislation and reflect the evolution of the profession. The minister expressed support for this direction, explaining the process and prioritization that surround what is ultimately a government decision, and provided some direction as to how the institute can best prepare for the opportunity, should it arise.

• Vice President Condon reported on a situation by a member who is also an honorary member was inadvertently excluded from participating in AIBC Council’s engagement survey carried out in of 2013. It was agreed that a formal apology, as requested, would be issued by the president.

• May 3, 2014 was agreed upon as the tentative date for the 2014 AIBC Annual Meeting, pending final confirmation of the necessary available space on that date at the Simon Fraser University Business Centre in downtown Vancouver, the location of the 2013 Annual Meeting.

The next official meeting of AIBC Council is scheduled for Tuesday, November 12, 2013 at the AIBC offices (#100 – 440 Cambie Street, Vancouver) Members, associates and the public are welcome to attend; please confirm your attendance in advance by contacting Executive Coordinator Tracy Tough by e-mail (ttough@aibc.ca) or phone (604-683-8588, #335).