New Vacancy on BC Building Code Appeal Board

The BC Building Code Appeal Board is seeking a new member.

About the Building Code Appeal Board

The Building Code Appeal Board tribunal, a quasi-judicial board, is enabled under the Building Act. The tribunal makes decisions and hears appeals from persons who have a dispute with a local authority having jurisdiction as to whether a matter conforms to the BC Building Code. The tribunal has a complement of the chair, one vice chair, three members, and receives administrative support from the Office of Housing and Construction Standards. The term of membership is typically three years, with possible reappointment for an additional two years. The tribunal hears approximately 20-30 applications each year, with considerable variation in content and complexity.

Time Commitment

The Board typically meets one day each month, and some time for preparation prior to meetings should be accounted for.

About the Position

Applicants for this position should possess the following attributes:

• a comprehensive and in-depth knowledge of the BC Building Code;
• be tactfully effective in the deliberations to reach consensus based rulings; and,
• participate actively in work or activities related to the work of the Board.

To minimize travel costs, preference will be given to candidates in the Lower Mainland area.

How To Apply

More information can be found here: https://www.brainhunter.com/frontoffice/seekerViewJobDetailAction.do?sitecode=pl526&jobId=2063552&page=search&external=

Any questions related to this posting can be directed to Junichi.Jensen@gov.bc.ca.

2015 AIBC Annual Conference

The Architectural Institute of  British Columbia’s annual conference brings together architects, intern architects, architectural technologists, builders, engineers, interior designers, faculty, students and other members of the design community to learn about new industry and professional trends, technological advances and best practices.

This annual gathering, the largest of its kind in British Columbia, is also a chance to network, socialize and celebrate the innovative, valuable work of practitioners and theorists.

The conference runs over three days and includes plenary sessions, seminars, workshops, panel discussions, an industry exhibitor show, networking receptions as well as the presentation of the 2015 AIBC Architectural Awards honouring architectural excellence.

To learn more about the 2015 AIBC Annual Conference, please visit the 2015 AIBC Annual Conference website.

Jaw-dropping Photos of Europe’s Abandoned Buildings

by Christopher Hooton
The Independent, Sep 22, 2015

(Image: Photographer Christian Richter latest project is capturing images of old decaying architecture. Courtesy of The Independent, photo by Christian Richter)

There’s something Ozymandian about Christian Richter’s abandoned buildings – ornate halls with grand pianos and plush furniture slowly decaying into dust, beds sprouting grass, cinemas caving in.

“When I was young, I fell in love with abandoned buildings. After I got a camera as a present, I started photographing the beauty there. I mostly photograph empty buildings with great staircases or interiors,” he told BoredPanda.

“I simply adore old decaying architecture, their patterns and textures – they remind me that everything is impermanent. Abandoned architecture photography is my ongoing project and I often travel around Europe looking for abandoned buildings.” Read more…

Euronews’ Unique New Headquarters

by staff
Dezeen, Oct 16, 2015

(Image: Euronew’s 800 employees are accommodated within the 10,000 square metres of office space. Courtesy of Dezeen, photo by Nicolas Borel.)

Built in Lyon’s docklands, Jakob + MacFarlane’s new headquarters for international news channel Euronews features an acid-green facade punctured by two huge egg-shaped holes (+ slideshow).

Paris-based Jakob + MacFarlane collaborated with French artist Fabrice Hyber on the waterside building.

Hyber was responsible for the building’s green aluminium skin, which features a sinuous pattern of openings that allow light and air to filter inside. Read more…

These 3-D Scans Are Digitally Saving Ancient Monuments Before ISIS Blows Them Up

by Adele Peters
Fast Co., Oct 20, 2015

(Image: The first monument to be 3-D scanned for the project was the Ziggurat of Ur in Iraq, originally built around 4,000 years ago, and restored in the sixth century B.C. Courtesy of Fast Co.)

In August, ISIS militants blew up the legendary and beautiful 2,000-year-old Temple of Bel in the ancient city of Palmyra, Syria, saying that it promoted “idolatry.” At the beginning of October, they destroyed the equally historic Arch of Triumph leading to the site. Now, some experts are afraid the entire ancient city—one of the most spectacular ancient sites in the world—could be obliterated in as little as three months.

Throughout the Middle East, hundreds of historic sites are now at risk of total destruction because of war.

A nonprofit called CyArk is racing to 3-D scan ancient architecture to digitally preserve it for the future, so it can later be recreated in virtual reality or rebuilt on the ground. In a new initiative called Project Anga, they’re working with the International Council of Monuments and Sites to digitally document dozens of at-risk sites in the region, starting with Syria and Iraq. Read more…

UBC SALA Fall 2015 Lecture Series – Piet Oudolf

Influential Dutch garden designer and author, Piet Oudolf, is a leading figure of the “New Perennial” movement, using bold drifts of herbaceous perennials and grasses which are chosen at least as much for their structure as for their flower colour. He has authored or co-authored eight books, including the most recent Planting: A New Perspective (Timber Press, 2013). Piet’s design projects includes the High Line and Battery Park in New York City. He is the designer of the interior garden of the 2011 Serpentine Gallery Pavilion in London, in collaboration with the Swiss architect Peter Zumthor.

There will be a reception following the lecture sponsored by the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Vancouver.

Date: November 16, 2015, 6:30-9 p.m.
Location: Vogue Theatre, 918 Granville St, Vancouver
Cost: Free but registration required
To register: http://www.eventbrite.ca/e/sala-lecture-series-piet-oudolf-tickets-18294650793

For full details, visit the UBC SALA website.

eNews Returns on November 5

Please be advised eNews will not be distributed on October 29 due to the AIBC Annual Conference taking place October 28 to 30. Our next edition of eNews will be distributed on November 5.

If you have any comments or questions, please send your inquiry to communications@aibc.ca.

We hope to see you at the Annual Conference!

World’s Most Amazing Places to Pray

by Kieran Corcoran
Daily Mail, Sep 22, 2015

(Image: Pictured is the Ribbon Chapel in Hiroshima, Japan, which has twin spiral staircases design to represent the union of man and wife and a symbol of marriage. Courtesy of World Architecture Festival, Daily Mail)

These amazing places of worship are among the world’s most beautiful places to pray.

The religious buildings, located as far apart as the U.S., Asia and the Middle East, are all due to feature in the upcoming World Architecture Festival in Singapore.

All nine buildings form the shortlist for the religion category. The designs are huge departures from the traditional forms of each religion, in some cases resembling a helter-skelter slide or a Bond villain’s lair. Read more…

Acton Ostry Architects’ UBC Residence Will be Among World’s Tallest Wood Buildings

by Elsa Lam
Canadian Architect, Oct 8, 2015

(Image: Structural schematic – hybrid mass timber and concrete core structure. Courtesy of Acton Ostry Architects, Canadian Architect)

Acton Ostry Architects have released renderings of Brock Commons Phase 1, a 404-bed student residence at the University of British Columbia. When completed, the $51.5-million residence building will stand 53 metres tall, making it among the tallest mass timber buildings in the world.

The use of a hybrid mass wood and concrete structure was investigated to demonstrate the applicability of wood in BC’s development and construction industries. Rigorous analysis concluded that the cost of a mass timber structure was similar to that for a typical concrete or steel structure. “Advances in wood technology and manufacturing make tall wood buildings not only possible but also safe and cost effective, while providing a way to lessen the carbon footprint of the built environment,” explain the architects in a press release. Read more…

2015 AWMAC BC Awards of Excellence Winners Announced

by JOC staff
Journal of Commerce, Oct 9, 2015

Architectural Woodwork Manufacturers Association of Canada BC (AWMAC BC) celebrated its annual Awards of Excellence recently at the Vancouver Convention Centre. Some of the best architectural millwork projects of the year were awarded in both the residential and commercial sectors.

Some of the projects that won awards included the Kelowna Yacht Club and Lululemon Exterior in the small commercial category and UVic Food Services and Golder Associates in the large commercial category. Read more…

For a full list of winners, visit the 2015 AWMAC BC Awards of Excellence website.

2015 AIBC Annual Conference: Using Innovative Strategies to Strengthen Your Practice

Three Steps to Strengthen Your Practice 
October 30, 2015 – 8:30 a.m.-10 a.m.

Design professionals help their clients every day to establish innovative strategies and tactics and then implement these. Yet doing the same thing in their own practice is often regarded as the dark side of the profession… treated with indifference. If design professions are going to continue to have meaningful impact on the built environment, they first have to strengthen their own firm. This session will help evolving firms and emerging practitioners realize they need to focus more effort on designing their practice.

About the Presenter
Rick Linley is an architect in Manitoba and since 1985 has specialized in practice and project management. A principal with Smith Carter Architects and Engineers for 18 years, 14 of which he served as the firms’ Chief Operating Officer. He helped shape the operating model of the firm to accommodate a six fold increase in revenues. He retired from practice in 2013 but got restless. He recently launched Strong Practice Strategies, a management consultancy focused on helping emerging and evolving design firm leaders to strengthen their practices.

This session is sponsored by Tremco Roofing & Building Maintenance.

Register today to attend this session.

Visit the 2015 AIBC Annual Conference website for full details and to view conference pricing information.

2015 AIBC Annual Conference: Communicating the Value of Architecture

Communicating the Value of Architecture
October 30, 2015 – 1:30-3 p.m.

Communicating the value of architecture is extremely challenging. The Manitoba Association of Architects Public Affairs Committee (PAC) has spent a great deal of effort refining its value proposition – both the value of architecture and architects. This session will look at the work of Storefront Manitoba, Centre for Architecture Design & Urbanism, a non-profit group of multi-disciplinary professionals that work to “advance the awareness and appreciation of architecture, design and the built environment,” and discuss the roles of the architect as they relate to a perception of value between emerging and established architects.

About the Presenter
Jason Robbins is a founding board member and current Chair of Storefront Manitoba: Architecture/Design/Urbanism, a non-profit organization developed to advance the awareness and appreciation of architecture, design and the built environment in Manitoba. StorefrontMB is responsible for Cool Gardens: a public exhibition of contemporary garden and art, FRONTlines: a discussion series to create a dialogue between the city’s design professionals, developers, and the public, as well as The Winnipeg Design Festival: an annual event that promotes and celebrates design culture in Manitoba with engaging events.

With a background in theatre and film, Jason studied marketing and communications before going to architecture school. Jason Robbins is currently an architect with the Department of National Defence.

This session is sponsored by Tremco Roofing & Building Maintenance.

Register today to attend this session.

Visit the 2015 AIBC Annual Conference website for full details and to view conference pricing information.

2015 AIBC Annual Conference: Featured Sessional Speakers

The 2015 Annual Conference – What’s Now – Insights and Directions will be held from October 28 – 30, 2015 at the Vancouver Convention Centre. The conference features plenary sessions, seminars, workshops, panel discussions and an industry exhibitor show. Meet some of our featured speakers below!

Josh Zabel

Architectural Composites – New Session!
Session F5 – (1.5 Core LUs)

Josh is the Vice President of Business Development at Kreysler & Associates, a world-class composites fabrication facility. Since 1981, they have specialized in architectural composites, large scale artwork, and digital fabrication. Some of their work includes, sets for Star Wars, fish tanks for the Monterey Bay Aquarium, acoustic panels and building facades. As building codes are starting to catch up, and digital design tools become more widespread, the doors are rapidly opening to building with fiberglass and other composites.
Join Josh at Session F5 – Architectural Composites.

Newsha Ghaeli

Sensing and Actuating
Session F12 – (1.5 Core LUs)

Newsha, a Fellow at the The MIT Senseable City Lab, will present projects exemplary of how digital technologies are changing our understanding of the urban realm. The MIT Senseable City Lab was founded in 2005 as a joint venture between The MIT Media Lab and The MIT Department of Urban Studies and Planning. The Lab investigates the possibility for new technologies to transform the analysis, design, and ultimately the inhabitation of urban space, while working with industry partners, governments, citizens & disadvantaged communities.
Join Newsha at Session F12 – Sensing and Actuating.

Andrew Bay BA (Econ.), CFP

The Affluent Architect
Session F15 – (1.5 Core LUs)

Andrew is President and founder of Bay Wealth Management of The Investors Group. BWM was created to work exclusively with Engineering, Architectural and Development Associations, along with the firms and professionals they represent. For over 20 years, Andrew has worked advising Industry leaders and young professionals on business management, ownership and all associated financial planning needs. BWM provides one-on-one consultation, accredited education opportunities and Financial Literacy Workshops.
Join Andrew at Session F15 – The Affluent Architect.

Lara Kaufman Architect CA, LEEP AP

The Social Life of Digital Design
Session F10 – (1.5 Core LUs)

Lara is a Senior Architect and Project Manager for Snøhetta. She is currently working on the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Expansion. Learn how design that encourages social engagement and interaction benefits from both the larger scale planning moves as well as the smaller scale details. This presentation includes stories of recent Snøhetta and Kreysler & Associates projects, considering architecture through the lens of innovative fabrication techniques & collaboration with cross-disciplinary partners.
Join Lara at Session F1 – The Social Life of Digital Design.

Visit the 2015 AIBC Annual Conference website to view all of our amazing speakers.

Register Now!

View conference pricing and register. Online registration will close end of day October 21. Late registrants are instructed to email conference@aibc.ca after October 21. To learn more about the 2015 AIBC Annual Conference, please visit the 2015 AIBC Annual Conference website.

Waterfronts and Livable Cities

This seminar, organized by APEGBC Victoria Branch in partnership with Planning Institute of BC, Urban Development Institute Capital Region and the Institute of Transportation Engineers, will use proven principles and international best practices to examine how cities around the world are strengthening their cities and waterfronts with better urban design and place-making.

About the Speaker
Brent Toderian established TODERIAN UrbanWORKS (TUW) in early 2012 followed by 6 years of significant achievement as Vancouver BC’s Chief Planner (2006-2012), with accomplishments that include: 2010 Winter Olympics-related planning & design; the EcoDensity and Greenest City Initiatives; new waterfront and skyline-shaping strategies; new visions for the city’s viaducts, multi-modal mobility and active transportation (walk, bike and transit); place-making, public place design and street activation strategies; next generation transit-oriented development (TOD) initiatives; the Laneway Housing program and other affordability/housing strategies; and inventive strategies at the downtown, city and regional levels emphasizing a “complete city”, not just a livable one.

Mr.Toderian also oversaw all development, design and architecture in Vancouver, known internationally as a “city by design”. Toderian is the founding President of the Council for Canadian Urbanism; Canada’s only regular radio columnist on “city-making” on CBC Radio; and a writer for the Huffington Post & other publications.

Date: November 5, 2015, 9-11am
Location: CFB Esquimalt Wardroom Lower Lounge, 1586 Esquimalt Road, Victoria
Cost: $35 per person
To register: https://www.apeg.bc.ca/Events/Events/2015/VC1NOV15

2015 WorkSafeBC Construction Safety Conference

The 10th annual Bridging the gap conference and tradeshow takes place November 13 and 14.

Whether you work in construction or promote health and safety in the industry, join us for a jam-packed two-day conference to network with others and increase your knowledge about a wide range of health and safety issues in construction.

Network with peers while learning about and discussing a variety of health and safety issues, including falls from elevation, exposure to asbestos, and other issues identified in WorkSafeBC’s Construction High-Risk Strategy. Search out, expand, and capitalize on learning opportunities that will ultimately enhance your career in health and safety.

Date: November 13-14, 2015
Location: Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel, 7551 Westminster Highway, Richmond
Cost: $175 for both days or $250 for conference and one, full-day pre-conference course
To register: www.bridgingthegapsafely.com