Affinity Institute

Construction Contracts and Risk Management

Led by top Canadian construction law experts, you will gain the practical tools and strategies necessary to maximize opportunities and manage risk in construction contracts and projects.  Looking at actual construction contract terms, you will learn how to better identify, understand, and evaluate risk associated with these classes – then negotiate to lower or eliminate the risk, improve terms of payment, and reduce exposure to claims and disputes.

Date: Thursday, January 22, 2015
Location: SFU Segal Graduate School of Business, 500 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC
Cost: $695 + GST. 15% discount for AIBC Members with Code AI92015
Learning Units (LUs): 6 Core LUs
To Register: www.affinityinstitute.ca.

Wood Works! BC

2015 International Wood Symposium: Value, Quality and Efficiency – Taking Design and Construction to the Next Level

The 2015 International Wood Symposium is a one-day event specifically tailored to meet the needs of designers and builders. The program will inspire, educate and show examples of how wood building systems constructed off-site are expanding opportunities to create distinctive and expressive structures.  Off-site construction is becoming integral to innovative architecture, design, engineering and construction.  Experts from Finland, England, Austria, Scotland and Canada will present their experience, and the research currently taking place, show innovative applications that can be applied today and provide an overview of how these wood building systems are being used in diverse and complex ways. This comprehensive one-day international wood symposium is designed for architects, structural engineers, building officials and other design and construction professionals.

Date: Thursday, January 29, 2015
Location: Vancouver Convention Centre (West), 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver, BC
Cost: $249
Learning Units (LUs): Each of the six symposiums are worth 1 Core LU
To Register: http://ams.cwc.ca/Live/AMS/Pages/ams-event-details/6577?isPreview=False

Illuminating Engineering Society, Vancouver Section

2015 IESBC IES Illumination Awards – Call for Submissions

IESBC is now accepting project submissions for the 2015 IES Illumination Awards. These awards showcase projects which demonstrate an exceptional use of lighting to effectively illuminate interior and exterior projects. Projects with a lighting component, constructed between Jan. 2013 – Dec. 2014 are eligible for consideration. Please note: a project can be submitted for judging in multiple award categories.

Award categories include:
• Best Interior
• Best Exterior
• Best Residential
• Best Energy Efficiency
• BC Control Innovation

Opens:  Thursday, Jan 1, 2015
Closes:  Saturday, Feb. 14, 2014 @ 11:59 PM EST
Cost:  $100 / entry per award category
Photos:  Up to 10 JPEG images, min. 1024 x 768 pixel
Narrative:  each image can include a description; max. 300 words in total
Optional Video:  max. 1 minute in .MOV, .M4V or .MP4 format (CANNOT contain narrative or music)
Details: http://www.iesbc.org/content/local-section-vision-awards. If you have further questions on completion the online submission, or would like some advice on photos and narratives, please contact Robyn York, IESBC Illumination Awards Chair, at awards@iesbc.org or by telephone at 604-353-0646.

ES Computer Training

Microsoft Project for Architects

Microsoft Project for Architects is a powerful course that will show you how to plan, monitor, and schedule projects using resources such as people, equipment, time, and money. This course will provide you with the skills to effectively track and analyze projects with a better understanding of the schedule and impact of changes. Microsoft Project for Architects offers a comprehensive understanding of Microsoft Project using a practical approach to project management. During the course students will participate in various hands-on exercises, ranging in complexity and type. You will learn everything you need to maximize your use of Microsoft Project!

Location and Dates:

• January 26 & 27, 2015 – Holiday Inn Vancouver Downtown, 1110 Howe St, Vancouver, BC
• April 15 & 16, 2015 – Holiday Inn Vancouver Downtown, 1110 Howe St, Vancouver, BC

Cost: $799.00 + applicable taxes for the 2-day seminar
Learning Units (LUs): 14 Non-core
To register: https://escomputertraining.com/courses/details/industry/5/course/29

Annual Fee Invoices For 2015

Thank you to AIBC registrants who have submitted their professional dues.

On December 12, 2014, annual fee invoices for 2015 were emailed to members, associates, firms and affiliates.  In the event you did not receive an invoice or if you have a question regarding your status with the AIBC, please contact Registration & Licensing staff at accounts@aibc.ca.

For your convenience, fees may be paid online by logging into your account through the AIBC website.  When logging in to make payment, please keep in mind that individual login IDs are different than your firm login ID.

Detailed information regarding applicable fees and payment requirements can be found in Bulletin 01 (2015): Fees, Fines and Charges. The deadline for payment is February 1, 2015.

On behalf of the AIBC, thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Role Call: City of Parksville Advisory Design Panel

The AIBC invites applications from architects interested in serving on the City of Parksville 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
• ADP Frequently Asked Questions

Please fill out an interactive application form and forward your submissions to the attention of Professional Services Coordinator Alexandra Kokol by email (akokol@aibc.ca).

Role Call: Volunteer Mentors Needed

The AIBC is currently seeking volunteer mentors for new applicants to the Intern Architect Program.

A mentor is an Architect or Retired Architect who acts as an independent guide and advocate. Mentors are knowledgeable about the Intern Architect Program’s objectives and experience requirements. A mentor meet with their Intern Architect mentee at least two to three times a year.  A mentor must not be employed at the same office as their Intern Architect mentee. This is an ideal opportunity to share your knowledge and make a difference to Intern Architects starting their careers in architecture.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer mentor or would like to learn more, please contact Admissions Coordinator Belinda Chao at bchao@aibc.ca.

Oral Reviews

Three dates have now been set for the next round of oral reviews: Wednesday, February 18; Tuesday, February 24; and Wednesday, February 25. The oral review is an interview-based examination open to Intern Architects who have:

• Completed and logged at least 2800 hours; and
• Completed the required AIBC courses.

Oral reviews are also open to those Alternative Qualifications Candidates who have:

• Successfully completed their Oral Assessment;
• Successfully completed all oral assessment panel recommendations and/or requirements; and
• Completed the six required AIBC courses.

Applications, along with an employer’s letter and fee payment, must be received by Wednesday, February 4, 2015. Eligibility will be confirmed by the Registration and Licensing Department. For complete details and to download the application form.

Oral Review Preparation Workshop:
A free Oral Review Preparation Workshop will be held on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. Please RSVP to Belinda Chao, Admissions Coordinator, at bchao@aibc.ca.

Questions about the oral reviews and workshop can be directed to Belinda Chao, Admissions Coordinator, at bchao@aibc.ca or 604 683 8588 ext. 324.