The Wild Architecture of Soviet-era Bus Stops

by Liz Stinson, 
Wired, Sep 30, 2015

(Image: Chris Herwig traveled throughout the former Soviet Union photographing elaborate bus stops. This one from Abkhazia was designed by Zurab Tsereteli.)

Of all the places you’d expect to find an elaborately designed bus stop shaped like a giant seashell, the streets of Gagra, Abkhazia, probably wouldn’t be one of them. The disputed region, situated between Georgia and Russia along the Black Sea, isn’t known for its architectural marvels. And yet, there it is, a Gaudi-esque sculpture sitting right on the side of the road.

This mosaic of plastic and stone designed by Zurab Tsereteli looks like art, but it’s actually something more than that. It’s a fully functioning bus stop. And stops like these are way more common than you might think. Chris Herwig has seen hundreds of them. For the past 12 years, the Canadian photographer has traveled throughout the former Soviet Union snapping photos of the region’s unexpectedly crazy architecture for his new book “Soviet Bus Stops.” Read more…

Magic Mountain: Salzburg Development Connects Residents to Nature

by Mary Pepchinski
Architectural Record, Oct 1, 2015

(Image: For their site below the rock face of the defunct quarry, Hariri & Hariri Architecture designed six faceted housing blocks containing 100 apartments. Courtesy of Architectural Record, photo by Bryan Reinhart)

An abandoned sandstone quarry on Rainberg Mountain, above the historic city of Salzburg, Austria, is hardly the place one would expect to find a desirable urban neighborhood. But, nevertheless, that’s where developer Asset One decided to build 100 units of housing.

When New York–based architects Gisue and Mojgan Hariri first visited in 2006 in response to an invited competition, they found the site “derelict and magical.” Known as the Sternbrauerei, the quarter was dominated by the quarry’s soaring rock face to the west but also contained a defunct landmarked brewery and its storage vaults. Nineteenth-century villas and more recent low-rise apartment buildings border the northern edge, while a forest rises to the south. Read more…

The World’s Weirdest Skyscrapers

by Athlyn Cathcart-Keays
The Guardian, Sep 24, 2015

(Image: AlDar Headquarters in Abu Dhabi is world’s first circular skyscraper. UAE-based MZ Architects have built a revolutionary ‘stacked dinner plate’ prototype – at a cost of around £1bn. Courtesy of The Guardian, photo by Alamy)

From the Elephant Building to the ‘Death Star’, architects and developers are going to ever stranger lengths in their efforts to stand out from the crowd. Where will this ridiculousness end? Read more…

2015 AIBC Annual Conference: Architectural Composites

Architectural Composites
October 30, 2015 – 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

Kreysler and Associates is a custom fabrication shop specializing in architectural composites, large scale artwork, and digital fabrication. Since its founding in 1981 in California they have been building composite forms and structures for a diverse range of clients and applications over the years such as sets for Star Wars, sculptures for Claes Oldenburg, fish tanks for the Monterey Bay Aquarium, acoustic panels for concert halls, and increasingly, building facades. As building codes are starting to catch up, and digital design tools become more widespread which are essential for the management of the complex forms that take advantage of these materials, the doors are rapidly opening to building with fiberglass and other composites.

About the Presenter
Josh Zabel is the Vice President of Business Development at Kreysler & Associates, a world-class composites fabrication facility. He has been at K&A since 2005 and has spent most of his tenure as Director of Digital Fabrication, managing the digital and CAD/CAM aspects of their operations. He has developed an expert understanding of composites, and is at the forefront of AEC industry efforts to advance their architectural potential. He holds a Master of Architecture from the University of California Berkeley and has earlier design experience at several boutique architecture firms around California.

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: Indigenous Perspectives in Re-imagining Communities and Landscapes

Indigenous Space: Architecture. Place. Time
October 30, 2015 – 8:30-10 a.m.

We are entering a new era of consciousness and geo-political space wherein Indigenous perspectives play a huge role in understanding the shaping of the places in which we build. As architects, designers, planners, and developers this is something that is lucid within our practice as shapers of space both physically and in our ability to render ideas of space visible. Across the Pacific Rim, Indigenous Nations are revitalizing their traditional ways of being and dwelling, redefining their contemporary occupation, as stewards of their ancestral places. In doing so, Native Communities are carving out their contemporary space, re-building ancient structures and/or re-imagining their communities and associations to their traditional landscapes, building contemporary spaces for cultural practice, governance, economics and generationally sustainable living. In this process the Architecture of Nations and Nation Architecture takes form.

About the Presenter
Born and raised in Inuvik and Hay River in the N.W.T. and the northern tip of British Columbia, in Fort Nelson, Kelly Edzerza-Bapty has lived and traveled across much of Canada’s Northwest. A member of the Tahltan First Nation of Telegraph Creek, Kelly is a recent Graduate from the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture MArch program at UBC, and the second woman of First Nations descent to graduate from this program.

Being a northern resident of Canada, and attending post-secondary schooling in the south, the stark differences of culture, versus consumerism and how it manifest in the built environment are extensive through her dual perspective. Kelly has focused her research and practice on working remotely using land-based building, and her cultural influences, advocating for socio-economic and cultural revitalization in rural Canada.

This session is sponsored by Jardine Lloyd Thompson Canada.

Register today to attend this session.

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

AIBC Council Meeting Summary – 08 September 2015

At the 08 September 2015 council meeting, the AIBC Council dealt with the following items:

Council Motions
• Council endorsed the Bylaw Review Committee’s 2015-2018 work plan and approved motions on two bylaw initiatives. The first is in regards to a trio of administrative bylaw matters. The second, larger initiative pertains to investigations and discipline bylaws. Information regarding the bylaw amendments along with supporting rationales, and how to participate (via information sessions, and feedback forms) is posted on the AIBC website along with the BRC’s work plan.
• Council approved the motion that telephone or other electronic participation by councilors signifies they are “present” for the purpose of participating in and voting at council meetings.
• Council approved the motion that Council Meeting Rules be reviewed along with other documents, as required.
• Council approved the motion to prepare and forward thank you letters to recently resigned Lieutenant Governor appointees, Steve Simons and Mark Zacharias, in recognition of their contributions to the AIBC.
• Council approved the motion excusing Lieutenant Governor appointee David Toole’s absences from the previous three council meetings, further to section 12(c) of the Architects Act.
• Motions were also passed for committee changes, examination results and register amendments as well as terms of reference.

Other Business
• Planning for 2016 budget has commenced.
• Engagement 3.0 was approved by council and is currently underway. Whereas Engagement 1.0 and 2.0 focused on internal stakeholders, Engagement 3.0 involves canvassing key external stakeholders for their opinions on the role and value of the AIBC and the architectural profession at large. A final report will be prepared later this fall. The results of which will inform and shape the strategy for the larger AIBC Public Outreach Initiative.
• Extranet (Sharepoint) is being rolled out to all committees and will greatly assist with the distribution of documents.
• Per Council Communications policy, a Crisis Communications Plan has been developed to deal with crisis situations, issues and events.

• Read adopted 11 August 2015 council meeting minutes.
• The next regular meeting of AIBC Council is scheduled for 10 November 2015. It will be held at the AIBC office between 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. For those interested in attending an AIBC Council Meeting, please confirm your attendance in advance by email to ttough@aibc.ca.

2015 AIBC Annual Conference: Featured Events

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, an industry exhibitor show and special events. View some of our special events below!

OPENING RECEPTION FEATURES:

Exhibitors’ Networking Session (Oct 28, 5-9pm)

The Exhibitors’ Networking Session provides an excellent opportunity for conference delegates to connect directly with industry partners, suppliers and allied professionals whose services can benefit the growth and development of your firm and enhance the architectural services that you provide. Exhibitors are on-site throughout all two-and-a-half days of the conference, offering unparalleled opportunities for engagement & meaningful dialogue.

Learn more about 2015 AIBC Annual Conference Exhibitors.

The 2015 AIBC Architectural Awards Presentation (Oct 28, 6-7pm)

The Architectural Institute of British Columbia showcases the best in architecture from the AIBC community through its awards program. While honours are given out in a number of distinct award categories, there is one common element: excellence. Winners of the 2015 AIBC Architectural Awards will be announced and presented at this cocktail mixer. Panels for award submissions will be be on display throughout the conference.

Register to attend the 2015 AIBC Architectural Awards Presentation.

The Opening Reception sponsored by BFL Canada.

MOVIE NIGHT RECEPTION & SCREENING:

Movie Night Reception (Oct 29, 5-7pm)

Enjoy an evening of hors d’oeuvres and libations with your fellow conference delegates and UBC SALA Alumni prior to the screening of “Sagrada: The Mystery of Creation”.

Movie Night Screening (Oct 29, 7-9pm)

Barcelona’s La Sagrada Familia is a fascinating architectural project conceived by Antoni Gaudi in the late 19th century. More than 125 years after construction began, the basilica still remains unfinished. SAGRADA celebrates Gaudi’s vision and the continuing work of laborers, artisans, designers & architects as they strive to complete the colossal project.
Register to attend the Movie Night Reception & Screening.

Movie Night Reception sponsored by UBC School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture.

Movie Night Screening sponsored by RJC Engineers.

Register Now!

View conference pricing and register. To learn more about the 2015 AIBC Annual Conference, please visit the 2015 AIBC Annual Conference website.