AIBC Council & President Correspondence Protocol

For those for those interested in corresponding directly with AIBC Council and/or the AIBC President or individual council member(s). Please utilize the protocol guide to understanding the processes and procedure for incoming correspondence. Click here to access the protocol guide.

NCARB ARE Update

Reminder: NCARB Record is Now Required of all ARE Candidates

In order to access the new examination services that were launched in August 2013, all ARE candidates will need an active NCARB record.  This is a new requirement for BC Intern Architects.  More information is available from NCARB here.

For those intern architects who do not hold an NCARB record, but are already eligible for testing, you will need to do the following:

1. Create a My NCARB account here
2. Post Blackout: Log into NCARB account and add the NCARB Record service and fill out the application
3. Enter your candidate ID when prompted, and the Record application fee will be waived.  You will receive one free year of service. There will be a yearly $75 renewal fee to maintain access to My Examination after the first year

Future Intern Architects and syllabus students who wish to take the ARE once they are registered with the AIBC will need to:

1. Create a My NCARB account here
2. Add the NCARB Record service, fill out the application and pay the application fees
3. Request eligibility to take the ARE.  Once eligible to take the ARE, the AIBC will grant you access to My Examination

NCARB has prepared an online resource of Frequently Asked Questions, available here.  If you have any questions or concerns about registration examinations, please contact Emily Tyler, Registration and Administration Coordinator, at etyler@aibc.ca or 604 683 8588 ext. 324.

Scheduling Retakes

The rules regarding scheduling an ARE division retake have been modified in My Examination. Previously, candidates would have to wait four months before gaining access to the Prometric scheduler. Candidates now have access to the scheduler immediately upon receiving their failed score. Candidates will continue to have to wait six months to sit for a retake after the original administration. This will allow candidates to reserve their seat time well in advance, especially for Saturday appointment times. This change is effective immediately.

Rolling Clock

This July marks the fifth year since the June 2009 update to the Rolling Clock, which means that any divisions passed before 1 January 2006 will begin to expire unless a candidate has passed all divisions of the ARE by 1 July 2014. Click here for more information.

INSIGHT: The Place of Architecture as an Art Form in the Changing Cultural Landscape

December 4, 2013
By Peter Gisolfi, AIA, ASLA, LEED AP, ArchNewsNow.com

Lower 5th Avenue in Manhattan is architecturally coherent. From 23rd Street south to Washington Square, the masonry buildings hold the street line and are relatively similar to each other. They are self-effacing fabric buildings that work collectively to create the outdoor space of 5th Avenue, focused on the triumphal arch in the square. Why is this so? The simple answer is that in the early 20th century, those involved in creating the cityscape agreed on informal rules of engagement. Today, things have changed. More…

Role Call: City of North Vancouver – Heritage Advisory Design Panel

The AIBC invites applications from architects interested in serving on the City of North Vancouver – Heritage Advisory Design Panel. The role of an advisory design panel member is to give impartial, professional advice directly on any proposal or policy affecting the community’s physical environment in the public interest.

To learn more about the procedures for serving on a panel, please refer to the following documents:

• AIBC Bulletin 65: Advisory Design Panels – Standards for Procedures and Conduct (here)
• ADP Frequently Asked Questions (here)

An application form is currently  available on the AIBC website.

Please forward all submissions to the attention of Administrative Assistant Yana Vassilenko by e-mail (yvassilenko@aibc.ca).

In Passing: Ronald Waterfield

Ronald Waterfield, a former member of the AIBC, passed away on March 1, 2013.  He was 83 years old.  Both him, and his wife Anthea, were born in Plymouth, Devon.  Ronald trained as an architect and enlisted in the Royal Air Force (RAF).  He rose to the rank of Flight Lieutenant in IX Squadron on Canberras during his time with the RAF.  After his active service, he resumed his career as an architect.  In 1965, he and his family emigrated to Victoria.  He practiced in British Columbia for over 40 years. He is survived by his children, Karen, Nicholas and Beverley.  In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a donation to St. Margaret’s School (The Anthea Waterfield Award) or the BC Aviation Museum.

Role Call: City of Vancouver – First Shaughnessy Advisory Design Panel

City of Vancouver – First Shaughnessy Advisory Design Panel

The AIBC invites applications from architects interested in serving on the City of Vancouver – First Shaughnessy Advisory Design Panel. The role of an advisory design panel member is to give impartial, professional advice directly on any proposal or policy affecting the community’s physical environment in the public interest.

To learn more about the procedures for serving on a panel, please refer to the following documents:

• AIBC Bulletin 65: Advisory Design Panels – Standards for Procedures and Conduct (here)
• ADP Frequently Asked Questions (here)

An application form is currently  available on the AIBC website.
Please forward all submissions to the attention of Administrative Assistant Yana Vassilenko by e-mail (yvassilenko@aibc.ca).

Role Call: AIBC Annual Conference Professional Development Committee

The AIBC Annual Conference Professional Development Committee is still seeking new members.

The committee will concern itself with planning, strategizing and coordinating the professional development program for the 2014 AIBC Annual Conference. Tasks include planning professional development streams; identifying and confirming potential session presenters; and providing session information for conference promotional material.

This committee typically meets at the AIBC offices on every second Thursday from January to June. Meetings take place from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. at the AIBC offices.

If you are interested in volunteering on this committee, please contact Administrative Assistant Yana Vassilenko by email (yvassilenko@aibc.ca).

Lumon

Balcony Enclosures and Rails

This event will present balcony and patio enclosures, as well as balcony facades that assist in improving living comfort and environment. Due to Lumon’s wide product variety, there are feasible solutions for condo developments, commercial projects and individual homes, whether they are new, going under renovation, or as additional retrofits. An overview of the CCMC approval and other test reports will be provided as well as technical manuals and design tools. Sign up for this free event, held on January 27th, 2014, 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, located at 8750 204th Street, Langley, BC. An optional site visit to a completed condo project will also be offered following the event. To register, please email Henrik Reinikka at henrik.reinikka@lumon.com or call at (604) 315-6989. 

1 Core LU

Reminder: 2014 Annual Fees

The deadline for payment of 2014 annual fee invoices is February 1, 2014.  Annual fee invoices were emailed to members, associates, firms and affiliates on December 20, 2013. If you have not received your invoice or if you have a question regarding your status with the AIBC please contact the Registration & Licensing staff at accounts@aibc.ca.  Fees may be paid online by logging into your account through the AIBC web site at https://aibc.memberpro.net/ssl/main/body.cfm?menu=login.  When logging in to make payment, please keep in mind that individual login identifications are different than your firm login id. Detailed information regarding applicable fees and payment requirements can be found in Bulletin 01 (2014): Fees, Fines and Charges.

Anger over architect’s plea deal in firefighter’s death

January 3, 2014
By Paresh Dave, Los Angeles Times

The manslaughter case against German architect Gerhard Becker was novel from the start.

Los Angeles prosecutors charged that Becker built a Hollywood Hills West mansion with such disregard for public safety and building codes that he should be held criminally liable for the death of a Los Angeles firefighter who was crushed by 1,000 pounds of ceiling while battling a blaze there in 2011.

Becker, 49, was set to go on trial for involuntary manslaughter and faced up to four years in jail. But on Friday, the case came to an abrupt end with a judge agreeing to a deal that will keep the architect in jail for six months in exchange for a no contest plea.

Prosecutors, the victim’s family and firefighters opposed the resolution, saying Becker deserved more punishment. About 15 uniformed firefighters attended the court hearing Friday to lend their support. More than 400 firefighters submitted letters to the court. More…

Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of BC

Certified Professional Upgrade Seminar

With the coming-into-effect of the British Columbia Building Code 2012 and the upcoming introduction of the Vancouver Building By-law 2014, Certified Professionals who wish to maintain their qualification will be required to attend a CP Upgrade Seminar. The CP Committee has secured the support of the City of Vancouver and APEGBC to organize two separate sessions on Friday, 24 January 2014 and Friday, 7 February 2014. The sessions will be identical; attendance at one of the sessions is mandatory to ensure currency. The CP Committee will soon be communicating directly by email with the Certified Professionals with more details e.g. venue, schedule, cost. For more information and to register, please click here.

6.5 Core LUs

Note: Only Certified Professionals and former Certified Professionals may register for this course.

Holcim Awards for Sustainable Construction

The 4th International Holcim Awards for Sustainable Construction competition is open for registration until March 24, 2014 for projects in architecture, building and civil engineering, landscape and urban design, materials, products and construction technologies that contribute to the five “target issues” for sustainable construction.

A total of USD 2 million in prize money is available in two categories:

Holcim Awards (main category) for projects at an advanced stage of design with high probability of execution where construction/production did not start before July 1, 2013.

The “Next Generation” (young professionals and students category) is for visionary projects and bold ideas of authors not older than 30 years of age (date of birth not earlier than July 2, 1982). Construction/production must not have started before July 1, 2013.

Entry in the competition is free and uses an online entry form.  Click on the following link for more information and to enter www.holcimawards.org/overview.