11th Annual Wood Design Awards

Wood WORKS! BC would like to invite you to attend the annual Wood Design Awards. The Wood Design Awards aim to honor excellence in wood-based projects and to recognize the people and organizations that are pioneering and achieving this objective.

The Wood Design Awards bring together people from all sectors to recognize leadership and innovation in wood use. The awards also serve as an opportunity to publicly recognize and encourage continued excellence in the building and design community and in the forest industry. This high profile annual event celebrates innovative structural and architectural uses of wood and provides an opportunity for architects, engineers, building designers, builders and project owners to showcase their projects.

Mingle with the 2015 Award Nominees during the reception which begins at 5:00 pm giving guests the opportunity to view the project story boards of all of the 2015 nominations while enjoying the background music of a local jazz ensemble.  Nominees and Guests will then be seated for dinner at 6:30pm followed by the Awards presentations announcing the 2015 Wood Design Awards winners.

Date: March 2, 2015
Time: 4:30pm Registration I 5:00pm Reception I 6:30pm Awards
Location: Vancouver Convention Centre – West, 1055 Canada Place, Level 3
Registration: $129. Limited Tickets for sale – Register

VIBE Awards: Call For Entries

The Canadian Home Builders’ Association – Vancouver Island (CHBA-VI) is pleased to invite all professional member companies involved in the residential building industry to participate in the Inaugural 2015 VIBE Awards (Vancouver Island Building Excellence). The VIBE Awards will showcase the best in residential construction, design and renovation that Vancouver Island has to offer.

The 2015 VIBE Awards include 25 categories encompassing residential planning, design and construction for new builds, renovations and kitchens; design, planning and innovation awards; sales and marketing awards; special achievement awards; and the Grand VIBE Awards .

The Call for Entries is now open to all Vancouver Island residential building professionals with the deadline for entry on Monday, March 16th at midnight. For the inaugural year, the eligibility period has been extended to include projects and products that were built, renovated, developed, created and/or marketed for the period of January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2014. Entries will be judged by a distinguished panel of highly qualified British Columbia judges external to Vancouver Island, selected for their individual expertise.

Finalists and winners will be celebrated at a black tie awards gala on Saturday, May 23rd, 2015 at the Coast Bastion Hotel in Nanaimo. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling CHBA-VI beginning January 31st.  For further details, visit www.VIBEawards.ca.

BCSLA 2015 Annual Conference: Call For Papers

The British Columbia Society of Landscape Architects (BCSLA) Annual Conference is an opportunity for design professionals, practitioners, and key stakeholders, from the public and private sector, academia, and the community to come together to share ideas and projects. The BCSLA would like to invite all of their members, allied professionals, and interested practitioners to submit abstracts for papers, presentations, panels, and/or designs related to the Conference theme. Priority will be given to those proposals which address the conference theme and goals.  The deadline for submissions is 12 Noon PST, Friday, February 13, 2015. Visit http://tinyurl.com/kpjos3v for details.

Should you have further questions about the submittal process, the conference, and participation from the landscape architecture community, please contact Tara Culham, Executive Director by email at admin@bcsla.org or by phone at (604) 682-5610 or toll free (US and Canada) at (855) 682-5610.

BCSLA Annual Conference, Showcase and AGM
Corridors: Connecting BC’s Communities
April 23 to 25, 2015
Fairmont Chateau Whistler – 4599 Chateau Boulevard, Whistler, BC

Vancouver Heritage Foundation

How it All Began: The Bloedel Conservatory

John Coupar, son of Charles Coupar the Bloedel Conservatory’s first Garden Director, will share the story of the Conservatory. From its envisioning in 1966 to celebrate Canada’s approaching 1967 Centennial, to the building of the iconic triodetic dome which houses a very large collection of unique tropical plant species and rare birds, the Conservatory is a unique asset to Vancouver. In retelling its story, Coupar will also look at the broadly supported efforts to save it from demolition and the recently completed restoration.

Date: Tuesday, February 17, 2015, 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Location: University Women’s Club, Hycroft, 1489 McRae Ave, Vancouver, BC
Cost: $15
Learning Units (LUs): 2 Core
To register: https://register.beanstream.com/scripts/registration.asp?form=1460

Roofing Contractors Association of British Columbia

ROOFTech 2015: The Canadian Roofing Exposition

Canadian Roofing Contactor’s Association and Roofing Contractors Association of British Columbia (RCABC) invite you to be a part of ROOFTech 2015. ROOFTech provides a hands-on educational experience for sourcing new products and networking with industry experts across all aspects of roofing and proved valuable benefits for architects, building inspectors, contractors, engineers, property managers, roofing consultants and specifiers.

ROOFTech 2015 will feature two seminars and six demonstrations. You’ll learn about steep slope and low slope roofing systems along with valuable insights about roofing insulation. The demonstrations will present a brief history on the development of each major roofing assembly, features and benefits, and then provide a live application of each system. Demonstrations will showcase typical flashing details, good roofing practice techniques as well as all important safety precautions.

Date: May 5 & 6, 2015
Location: Vancouver Convention Centre (West), 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver, BC
Cost: Register by April 15 for free admission
Learning Units (LUs): All seminars and demonstrations approved for 1 Core LU
To register: www.rooftech.ca

Construction Specifications Canada

Architectural Hardware…Explained

In an ever more complicated openings environment, there are many considerations required to be able to apply the correct hardware for your project. Some of the questions are:

• What is the overall process in evaluating hardware choices?
• When or when not to use cylinder or mortise locks ?
• How does ANSI/BHMA testing apply to door hardware?
• What is the best way to secure an opening?
• How does one integrate electronic access control systems.

Presented by April Well, Allegion Canada Inc, this luncheon seminar will provide a comprehensive overview of the architectural hardware openings environment from a mechanical, electronic and electrified hardware point of view and how to apply them to various projects and applications.

Date: Thursday, February 12, 2015
Location: Sandman Hotel, 180 West Georgia St, Vancouver, BC
Cost: CSC Members $32, Non-members $48
Learning Units (LUs): 1 Core
To register: http://www.karelo.com/restdetail.php?BID=212

Women in Architecture

Designing Engagement

One of the major components of social sustainability when it comes to architecture and urban design is public engagement process. Although many, if not all, agree it is desirable, how to conduct it is a different kind of design problem  – what to do? how much of it? who gets involved? The process for public involvement is a careful design in itself – from stating the problem to integrating the results into the design process. Join Women in Architecture for a panel-led discussion of designing the public engagement process and how it can be integrated best with your design process. The evening will begin at 6pm with informal mixing and the moderator-led panel discussion will start at 6:30pm. Second part of the discussion (around 7:30pm) will involve the rest of the group in the conversation.

Panel members:

• Drew Ferrari, Architect AIBC, Associate, Community Development Team / BC Marketing Team at Stantec
• Cynthia Girling, Professor, Landscape Architecture, University of British Columbia; Director of elementslab
• Bruce Haden, Architect AIBC, formerly partner at Dialog Vancouver
• Amanda Mitchell, Public Engagement Specialist, City of Vancouver

Date: Thursday, February 12, 2015, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Location: Inform Contract, 405 Railway St, Vancouver, BC
Cost: Free of charge
Learning Units (LUs): 1 Core
To register: http://www.eventbrite.ca/e/designing-engagement-tickets-15194999653

Vancouver Heritage Foundation

Heritage 101: Understanding Heritage Conservation

This all-day course is a comprehensive introduction to the theory and practices that inform the conservation of heritage buildings and sites. The course introduces the history of conservation, the tools and guidelines that regulate heritage practice, the City of Vancouver’s regulatory framework around heritage buildings, and why heritage sites, buildings and neighbourhoods matter to cities and communities. The class includes a site visit and observation exercise to learn how to visually assess older buildings.

Date: Saturday, April 25, 2015, 9:00am – 5:00pm
Location: Mission to Seafarers, 401 E Waterfront Rd, Vancouver, BC
Cost: $110
Learning Units (LUs): 6.5 Core
To register: https://register.beanstream.com/scripts/registration.asp?form=161

Vancouver Heritage Foundation

The Wild History of Gastown

Author, Historian and Heritage Consultant Donald Luxton looks at the wild side of Gastown. From a City Hall made out of a tent, with mud roads and wooden walkways to a storied neighbourhood full of pioneers and entrepreneurs including John “Gassy Jack” Deighton. After the Great Fire of 1886, Gastown was built up from its ashes into a colourful community with memorable characters.

Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2015, 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Location: University Women’s Club, Hycroft, 1489 McRae Ave, Vancouver, BC
Cost: $15
Learning Units (LUs): 2 Non-Core
To register: https://register.beanstream.com/scripts/registration.asp?form=1460

Vancouver Heritage Foundation

Art Deco Architecture in Vancouver

Historian Maurice Guibord guides us through the wonderful examples of Art Deco architecture found in Vancouver. Buildings such as the Marine Building, the Vogue Theatre, the Commodore Ballroom, the bemoaned Medical-Dental Building, and many others, will be used to explore the charming details of this unique form, as well as its history and adaptations.

Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2015, 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Location: University Women’s Club, Hycroft, 1489 McRae Ave, Vancouver, BC
Cost: $15
Learning Units (LUs): 2 Non-Core
To register: https://register.beanstream.com/scripts/registration.asp?form=1460

Vancouver Heritage Foundation

Bloedel Conservatory Restoration

Engineer, Leonard Pianalto from Read Jones Christoffersen Ltd., will talk about the engineering behind the restoration and roof replacement of the triodetic dome of the Bloedel Conservatory in Queen Elizabeth Park, completed in August 2014. Built in 1966, the roof had deteriorated and the building was at risk until the City of Vancouver agreed to fund the restoration.

Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2015, 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Location: BCIT Downtown Campus, 555 Seymour St, Vancouver, BC
Cost: $15
Learning Units (LUs): 1.5 Core
To register: https://register.beanstream.com/scripts/registration.asp?form=399

Vancouver Heritage Foundation

Mobile Conservation: Relocating Heritage Houses

Nickel Brothers, building lifters and movers, will talk about all aspects of moving houses, including engineering, costs, logistics and the economic forces that are driving house moves. Moving a house is the last approach to heritage conservation, but preferable to demolition and Nickel Brothers have found a market for “recycling” houses.

Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2015, 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Location: BCIT Downtown Campus, 555 Seymour St, Vancouver, BC
Cost: $15
Learning Units (LUs): 1.5 Core
To register: https://register.beanstream.com/scripts/registration.asp?form=399

Vancouver Heritage Foundation

Rehabilitating Kits Neighbourhood House

Learn about the state of heritage in Vancouver today with experts in architecture and design, city planning and other related fields. The speakers will offer in depth illustrated talks followed by a Q&A. Bring your lunch and your questions to BCIT Downtown and learn about the issues, projects and topics that are relevant to the future of Vancouver’s historic neighbourhoods and buildings

Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2015, 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Location: BCIT Downtown Campus, 555 Seymour St, Vancouver, BC
Cost: $15
Learning Units (LUs): 1.5 Core
To register: https://register.beanstream.com/scripts/registration.asp?form=399

Morrison Hershfield

Building Smart with Basements and Parkades: 2015 Half-Day Workshop

Presented by the British Columbia Building Envelope Council (BCBEC) and the Homeowner Protection Office (HPO), a branch of BC Housing. This half-day workshop will focus on the design, construction, maintenance and remediation of basements and parkades in residential buildings. Industry leaders will discuss code requirements, soil condition assessments, building systems, remediation strategies, and depreciation reports. Presentations will showcase recent research studies in single and multi-unit residential buildings.

Date: Thursday, February 19, 2015, 8:00am to 12:00pm
Location: The Italian Cultural Centre Society, 3075 Slocan St, Vancouver, BC
Cost: BCBEC Members $85, Non-Members $90, Students $30
Learning Units: 3.5 Core
To register: http://www.bcbec.com/workshops.php