New Registered Educational Provider: Absolute Space Engineering Inc.

Absolute Space Engineering offers geomatic consulting services with specialization in 3D high-definition laser scanning.

To learn more about all AIBC Registered Educational Providers, please visit the AIBC website.

Singleton Urquhart LLP

A Refresher Seminar for Architects, Engineers & Builders
Singleton Urquhart’s Insurance Law Group will be presenting a seminar focusing on the following Insurance Law topics pertinent to architects, engineers and builders: builder’s risk, professional liability, general liability, and bonding.

Date: Friday, May 8, 2015
Location: Singleton Urquhart LLP, 1200 – 925 West Georgia St, Vancouver, B.C.
Cost: Free
Learning Units (LUs): 2.75 Core
To register: RSVP to Vanessa Singleton, vsingleton@singleton.com

AIBC Vancouver Island Chapter

The Complex Relationship between Architecture and Design Guidelines
This presentation by Franc D’Ambrosio Architect AIBC and following discussion will focus on case studies of processes of development permitting applications and subsequent approvals of designs for large-scale projects that are subject to community plans, development permitting and design guidelines. Recent experience in two jurisdictions will be used to examine the impact on the architectural and urban design of projects subjected to municipal bylaws, official plans and design guidelines.

Date: April 7, 2015. Sign in / Lunch: 11:30am to 12pm. Presentation: 12pm to 1:30pm.
Location: Cedar Hill Golf Clubhouse, 1400 Derby Rd, Saanich, B.C.
Cost: $25 per person.
Learning Units (LU): 1.5 Core
To register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/architecture-urbanism-tickets-16170473321

Pacific Business & Law Institute

Procurement: The Real World
Presented by leading experts in the field of construction procurement, this forum will provide a practical understanding of the procurement process from start to finish, as well as cutting-edge advice for addressing pressing issues facing the industry today. Owners and advisors will leave with an understanding of the best ways to approach procurement to meet the specific needs and circumstances of their projects, as well as useful tools to identify, reduce and address common problems arising throughout the procurement process.  Potential bidders and proponents will leave with an understanding of the differences for them based on the various construction models and procurement processes available to owners, and how they can best position themselves in each scenario.

Date: Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Location: UBC Robson Square, 800 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 3B7 or you may join by Live Webinar (access link will be sent to you a day before the program)
Cost: $770 (+GST)
Learning Units (LUs): 5 Core
To Register: https://www.pbli.com/programs/register?itemid=170

I-XL Masonry Supplies

An Afternoon with Masonry
Join IXL Masonry Supplies for an afternoon of AIBC accredited seminars.

Adhered Masonry Veneers: Presented by Bob Proctor of I-XL Masonry Supplies Ltd. This training program discusses types and advantaged of adhered masonry veneers, installation techniques, the importance of proper mortar use, among other considerations.

Designing with Concrete Masonry Veneer: Presented by Todd Cruickshank of Shouldice Designer Stone. This session will demonstrate several design options as well as current masonry veneer comparisons, crack control, differential of movement and mortar options along with other considerations.

Designing with Brick: Presented by Rob Mutch of I-XL Masonry Supplies Ltd. This session will explain the benefits of clay masonry, describe available colours, textures, sizes and methods of clay brick manufacturing.

Date: Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Location: Gold Corp Centre for the Arts, SFU Woodward’s Campus, 149 West Hastings St, Vancouver, B.C.
Cost: Free but Registration Required
Learning Units (LUs): 1 Core LU per seminar
To register: RSVP to bproctor@ixlmasonry.com by Tuesday April 21, 2015.

MOMA Show to Focus On Influential, ‘Underrated’ Architect Lina Bo Bardi

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Lina Bo Bardi. São Paulo Museum of Art (MASP), Sao Paulo, Brazil. Drawing. Graphite, and ink on paper. Unframed: 18 9/16 x 27 1Ž2” (47.2 x 69.8cm). Completed 1968. —Instituto Lina Bo e Pietro Maria Bardi

By Reed Johnson
March 27, 2015, The Wall Street Journal

Lina Bo Bardi has been lauded as a “posthumous starchitect,” and “the most underrated architect of the twentieth century.”

Those epithets soon may be passé. When the Museum of Modern Art opens its exhibition “Latin America in Construction: Architecture 1955–1980” on March 29, it will focus an intensifying spotlight on the work of the Italian-born architect and designer, who moved with her husband to Brazil in the 1940s and helped create the South American nation’s modern identity.

MOMA’s showcase, comprising original architectural drawings, models, photographs and films from the period, seems likely to further raise the profile of an architect who was an outlier in her own times, but has attracted growing international attention since her death in 1992.

“A Lina Bo Bardi should be as famous as a Walter Gropius,” said Barry Bergdoll, a Columbia University professor, MOMA curator and co-organizer of MOMA’s exhibition.

Mr. Bergdoll said the “main aim” of MOMA’s exhibition is to highlight the variety and quality of under-known South American architects such as Ms. Bo Bardi, her fellow Brazilian Lúcio Costa and the Argentine Clorindo Testa. The new exhibition – the first large-scale New York museum show of its kind since 1955, when MOMA staged “Latin American Architecture since 1945” – will focus on a period of intense creativity across the region that occurred despite violent political and economic upheaval. Ms. Bo Bardi, a leftist, frequently scrapped with bureaucratic supporters of Brazil’s right-wing military regime that ruled the country from 1964 to 1985, a stance that likely limited her output. Read more…

5 Reasons Architects Should Learn to Code

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By  Michael Kilkelly 
ArchDaily, March 30, 2015

In his popular post on how architects can “work smarter, not harder,” Michael Kilkelly suggests that you should ”customize your tools to work the way you work” and “use macros to automate repetitive tasks.” Both sound very helpful of course, but wouldn’t those require you to to write some code? Yes – but according to Kilkelly this should be a tool available in every architect’s toolkit. Originally published on ArchSmarter, here he offers 5 reasons that architects should learn to code.

As architects, we need to know a lot of stuff. We need to know building codes, structures, mechanical systems, materials. We need to know how to read zoning codes, how to calculate building area, how to layout office floor. The list goes on and on. Do we really need to know how to write computer programs as well?

Given the digital nature of architecture and design today, learning to code is an essential skill for the architect. Architects are knowledge workers. Virtually all of our work is created on the computer.  We typically use off-the-shelf applications to do the majority of our work. However, many of the problems we need to solve don’t fall within the abilities of our software. Our applications don’t always work well together. We need tools that work the way we need them to work.

You don’t need to become a professional programmer to benefit from learning to code. You can use this skill to solve all kinds of problems you face everyday. Here are five reasons why architects should learn to code:

1. Coding helps you master your tools

Have you ever wished your software worked a little different? Have you ever said “if only it did this, I could get this work done much quicker”. Read more…

Annual Meeting: 2015 Role Call for Motions Review Committee

2015 Role Call for Motions Review Committee

AIBC council has established a Motions Review Committee to assist the institute with the Members’ Motions portion of the Member Forum at the upcoming AIBC Annual Meeting on 2 May 2015.  This ad hoc committee’s primary roles are: to review members’ motions, including those which are submitted and published in advance of the members’ forum, as to ensure that they are consistent with professional expectations; and to manage the Members’ Motions portion of the Members’ Forum.

Architects interested in contributing to this engaging aspect of the member-institute dialogue are invited to submit their expressions of interest.  While this calls for a reasonable understanding of AIBC processes and the ability to share in management of a dynamic session, members from diverse backgrounds and experience are invited to participate.

Please direct your expression of interest to participate on the committee to Tracy Tough, Executive Coordinator at ttough@aibc.ca. View the Motions Review Committee Terms of  Reference.

Annual Meeting: Members’ Forum and Members’ Motions

The Annual Meeting agenda allows for a Members’ Forum segment. In 2015, the Members’ Forum is scheduled before the end of the Annual Meeting, time permitting. If held, the Members’ Forum will be an opportunity to raise, discuss and debate issues of interest of concern to the profession. It is intended as a civil, collegial discussion amongst architects, associates and members of AIBC council.

The Members’ Forum also provides the opportunity for members to bring forth new ideas and fresh perspectives in the form of advisory motions to council (“Members’ Motions”). Such motions must be properly constructed, concise, complete, unambiguous and in writing. While strictly advisory in nature and not binding on AIBC council, Members’ Motions that meet with the support of the membership will go to council for its consideration.

All Members’ Motions received will be directed to the Motions Review Committee, a group of members who will ensure they meet the above-noted criteria; are clearly understandable; and are consistent with the Architects Act, AIBC bylaws and the AIBC Code of Ethics.

While it is recommended that Members Motions be submitted by 24 April 2015, additional motions may be submitted to the CEO (Executive Director) or a member of the Motions Review Committee up to 30 minutes after the Annual Meeting has been called to order. Anyone bringing forward a motion must have a written version of the proposed motion in hand at the meeting, and be prepared to speak to it, with a seconder already identified. For further information, refer to the AIBC 2015 Annual Meeting Protocols which includes the Members’ Forum Protocols.

In the event that time does not allow for all Members’ Motions to be heard, any motions not aired at the annual meeting will still be considered by AIBC Council.