Visual Acoustics: The Modernism of Julius Shulman screens this week

Canadian Architect
March 11, 2014

The third pairing in the TSA/Bloor Hot Docs Cinema Oppositions film series on March 13, 2014 is entitled Reality/Representation and focuses on the aesthetics of pre- and post- of architecture. The first film at 6:30pm is the critically-acclaimed Visual Acoustics, which documents the life work of Julius Shulman, a prodigious photographer whose work epitomized and iconized Modernist architecture and its attendant promise of a better life. In contrast, the second film at 9:15pm, Mock-Ups in Close-Up, is an ongoing research project chronicling the appearance and use of architectural models across narrative cinema. Invited speakers for this pairing will include the directors of Mock-Ups in Close-Up, Gabu Heindl and Drehli Robnik. Read More…

A Terrible Beauty: Edward Burtynsky at the Vancouver Art Gallery

Canadian Architect
March 9, 2014

This highly anticipated exhibition runs from March 1 to May 26, 2014 and features 44 photographs from the Gallery’s permanent collection, including 34 new acquisitions donated by the artist, this exhibition highlights Burtynsky’s most captivating images of natural and man-made landscape that reflect the impressive reach of human enterprise. Burtynsky’s early series of homestead photographs shot in British Columbia in the 1980s, documentation of the extraordinary growth and transformation of China in the past decade, and his new groundbreaking project on the subject of water are among the many well-known subjects on display. Read More…

Peter Busby honoured with 2014 RAIC Gold Medal

March 11, 2014
Canadian Architect

The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) has announced Peter Busby – a pioneer of the sustainable architecture movement – as the 2014 recipient of the RAIC Gold Medal. The Gold Medal is the highest honour the RAIC can bestow. It recognizes a significant and lasting contribution to Canadian architecture. A five-member jury unanimously selected Busby, FRAIC, C.M., LEED® Fellow.

“Mr. Busby was awarded the RAIC Gold Medal for his pioneer efforts in bringing sustainable design and development to the forefront of the practice of architecture,” the jury wrote. “Through his ongoing efforts, the importance of a more responsible approach to building and urban development has become part of the mainstream of architectural practice and education.”

Until recently, Busby was based in Vancouver. His award-winning portfolio embodies his philosophy of social responsibility and commitment to sustainable design. It includes projects such as the VanDusen Botanical Garden Visitor Centre in Vancouver, Dockside Green in Victoria, and the Vale Living with Lakes Center at Laurentian University in Sudbury.

“I am deeply honoured to receive this very prestigious award,” he says. “I share it with the many collaborators I’ve had the privilege of working with over the years on projects both in Canada and all over the globe.” Read More…

The Architect as Artist

The Vancouver Sun
March 7, 2014

David Stouck is an award-winning biographer. His latest book, Arthur Erickson: An Architect’s Life has been nominated for the 2014 RBC Taylor Prize, which will be announced March 20. Here, he describes the process of researching and writing about one of Canada’s finest and most famous architects.

Q: As a biographer of Canadian novelists, how did you come to write about an architect?

A: The idea was suggested by one of Erickson’s longtime friends, Mary Buckerfield White. I had written a biography about her aunt, Ethel Wilson. At first I was skeptical, because I did not know the technical language of architecture, but I was approaching retirement from Simon Fraser University and being told I should have a project, so I let the idea simmer for a time. A year later I wrote to Erickson. He invited me over for a talk, and shortly afterwards he let me know that he would co-operate.

Q: That must have been a steep learning curve for you. How did you become conversant in a field that in addition to the history of architecture involves so many other aspects such as design, engineering, business?

A: That is an important question. Certainly one critic of the biography feels I was over my head, but my answer is to say that this is a biography, not a book about design blueprints, business contracts and engineering. Instead this is the story of an architect also regarded as an artist and philosopher, and in that respect a subject similar to what I had been writing about in my previous books.

Q: Erickson was born in Vancouver, a city smaller than Winnipeg in 1924. What were the influences on him growing up here at that time? Read More…

2014 Nanaimo Cultural Awards Celebration

On Wednesday, March 12, 2014, the City of Nanaimo honoured four recipients in the cultural and creative fields at the City’s annual Cultural Awards Celebration, including Ian Niamath Architect AIBC.  The City’s Cultural Committee selected this year’s honourees based on each individuals significant contributions to Nanaimo’s cultural vitality. Candidates were identified through a community nomination process. Two new award categories were created this year; Emerging Cultural Leader and Lifetime Cultural Achievement.

The four awards recipients include: Shayd Johnson; Kenneth Gogo; Pat Coleman and Ian Niamath Architect AIBC.  Ian Niamath will receive The Honour In Culture Award for his many years of volunteer service and support for the arts and cultural sector including the Nanaimo Art Gallery, The Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival and for his design / architectural work on many of Nanaimo’s building projects- most notably Nanaimo’s waterfront and renowned Harbourfront walkway.

 

Is That Product Really Green?

DIRTT Environmental Solutions is hosting the CEU presentation, “Is That Really Green?” The presentation will address designing for sustainable product performance and the  new methodologies and outlooks required to ensure that solutions are genuinely sustainable.

Guest speaker, Andrée Iffrig, will lead the presentation and interactive discussion on two radically different approaches to understanding the sustainability of products. One takes a holistic perspective and seeks to understand how a sustainable solution behaves; the other, more conventional approach focuses on materials. Participants will be challenged to distinguish between the two approaches and will solve a case study in the course of the presentation.

Learning Objectives:

• Distinguish and articulate the difference between holistic and material approaches to sustainable design.
• Recognize the benefits and limitations of both approaches when it comes to sustainable design of products, environments and cities.
• Participate in a case study as part of interactive group work and decide whether the product in question is sustainable or not.
• Apply one of the holistic methodologies suggested in the presentation in order to solve the case study.

The presentation will take place on Wednesday, March 26, 2014 at “The Hive” (128 West Hastings, Suite 210).  A reception will take place from 5:30 – 6:00 p.m., followed by the presentation from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m., followed by networking from 7:00 – 7:30 p.m.; RSVP to mthompson@dirtt.netor or call 604-812-3633.