Construction Systems Canada – Vancouver Chapter

Green Roof Design for Stormwater Management 
Green roofs have been consistently experiencing double-digit growth over the past decade. A major driving force has been stormwater management. This luncheon meeting will discuss how to design green roofs specifically for stormwater management and examine various municipal policies and programs and their pros and cons in promoting green roof installation for stormwater management.

The stormwater management potential of a vegetative roof depends on its water storage capacity as well as the rainfall pattern and climate zone where it is located. Water detention and retention characteristics of the individual components will be looked at and a review of how these components interact within a green roof system to manage stormwater runoff.

The sessions will also demonstrate how innovative water retention materials can maximize water storage while keeping the weight low. A concept of water-retention-to-weight ratio will be introduced to compare different green roof components to assist designers to make the proper choices.

A case study: The Broadway Tech Centre will be used to illustrate how these tools can be used in designing green roofs for stormwater management.

At the end of this presentation, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the principal mechanisms behind how green roof manages stormwater
2. Design a green roof to meet prescriptive- or objective-based stormwater policies
3. Design green roofs for stormwater management using technical principles and data
4. Specify green roof components/systems based on water-retention-to-weight ratio

Date: Thursday, January 14, 2016, 12:30-1:30pm
Location: Sandman Hotel, 180 West Georgia Street, Vancouver
Register: Online through Karelo at http://vancouver.csc-dcc.ca
AIBC Learning Units: 1 Core Unit
Cost: $39.90 for CSC members, $50.40 non-members

2016 San Gemini Preservation Studies Program

The San Gemini Preservation Studies Program is now accepting applications for the summer 2016 field school. San Gemini Preservation Studies is a summer field school that organizes lectures, research, fieldwork, workshops and field trips in the disciplines of historic preservation, restoration and conservation. It is located in Central Italy in the city of San Gemini.

These programs focus on the study of architectural survey and restoration, traditional methods of painting, conservation of archaeological ceramics, and the restoration of books and works of art on paper. The field projects involve the survey and restoration of medieval buildings, the archaeological excavation in the ancient Roman city of Carsulae, as well as work on local archival material.

The program is a collaboration between scholars from various universities and local preservation groups, fostering a multidisciplinary approach to historic preservation. All academic activities are held in English.

Courses are open to students from various disciplines, both undergraduate and graduate. All lessons are taught in English.

To find out more about the program and review the syllabi, please visit the San Gemini website.

CES participants may self-report educational activities in accordance with the rules in AIBC Bulletin 80, Mandatory Continuing Education System (CES) Rules and Guidelines. Please refer to Bulletin 80 for further information.

2016 AIBC Course Schedule

The 2016 course schedule is now available for viewing and registration on the AIBC website. Please note that registration is on a first-come first-served basis, so register early as some of these sessions can fill up quickly.

For further inquiries regarding AIBC professional development courses, please contact Krista Sutherland, Professional Development Coordinator at ksutherland@aibc.ca.

Call For Papers: 2016 AIBC Annual Conference

The Architectural Institute of British Columbia invites submissions from those interested in speaking, participating in panel discussions or facilitating interactive workshops at the 2016 AIBC Annual Conference to be held at the Vancouver Conference Centre from Monday, May 16 to Wednesday, May 18, 2016.

About the 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 trends, technological advances and best practices. This annual gathering of architects, the largest of its kind in British Columbia, is also a chance to network, socialize and celebrate the innovative, impactful work of practitioners and theorists. The conference runs over three days and includes a keynote presentation, plenary sessions, seminars, workshops, panel discussions and an industry exhibitor show.

As in previous years, the conference will be rich in professional development, dialogue and network-building opportunities. An anticipated 400–450 delegates will be in attendance.

2016 Conference Theme: Building A Resilient Future
Resiliency is (literally and figuratively) in the air. Scientists and world leaders have identified a two-degree increase in global temperatures as an irreversible threshold. The UN has outlined 17 Sustainable Development Goals for solving the climate crisis and ensuring social stability. The UN’s Conference of Parties (COP21) is working to achieve consensus around reducing greenhouse gases. Even Pope Francis has issued an encyclical on the same topic with the subtitle of: “Care for Our Common Home”. Cities are taking matters into their own hands and implementing strategies to become more sustainable.

How does the architectural profession respond to these necessary adaptations? How does design become not only more resilient but also more proactive in addressing the imminent concerns of rising temperatures, severe weather patterns, and compromised resources?

Conference Program
This gathering aims to raise both the level of discourse and the standard of practice for members of the design community at all stages of their careers. A variety of presentation formats is sought, including lectures, interactive workshops and panel discussions. The organizers seek presenters who are experts in their fields and familiar with presenting their area of expertise to groups of 30 to 120 attendees. Most sessions will be 1.5 hours, including time for a question-and-answer period.

The Annual Conference PD Committee is specifically interested in presentations related to:

• Resilient Design for Waterfront Cities
• Local Innovation in BC
• Building Technology for a Resilient Future
• Adaptive Planning and Design
• Practice and Business Management
• Environment, Energy and Sustainability
• Integration of Architectural Culture

The following criteria will be examined when reviewing submissions and selecting applications:

• Inspired content that is clear, concise and educational in nature;
• Relevance to the profession of architecture;
• Connection to the educational initiatives of the AIBC, including such aspects as health, safety, welfare, design innovation, professional practice, environment, diversity, technology, business and community;
• Compliance with the necessary standards for AIBC Learning Units*; and
• Speaker qualifications and experience presenting at similar regional or national conferences.

* Learn more about the AIBC’s Continuing Education System.

Submission Timeline
Monday, December 14, 2015: Call for Papers issued
Friday, January 15, 2016: Deadline for Completed Proposals

Submit A Proposal
Complete the online Proposal Submission Form.

It is anticipated that the Annual Conference Professional Development Committee will identify its recommended selections through formal notification in February 2016.

Members Approve Three Administrative Bylaw Amendments

The AIBC’s three administrative bylaw amendments put forward for electronic vote have received the requisite 2/3 approval from the institute’s voting members.

The approval rates and bylaw descriptions are:

• Bylaw 19.1 at 84.1%
  Amendment of an existing bylaw to establish an appropriate quorum for AIBC annual meetings.
• Bylaw 38.0 and 38.1 at 89.3%
  Establishment of two bylaws to reinforce the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct as the core ‘standards’ document with respect to the conduct, discipline, standards and honour of the profession of architecture in British Columbia.
• Multiple bylaws (CEO) at 82.7%
  Amendment to 16 bylaws to change the former title of Executive Director to “Chief Executive Officer (CEO)” to modernize institute governance.

With an overall participation rate of 27%, voter turnout remained steady and is comparable with the spring 2015 bylaw e-vote.

Under the Architects Act, notice of bylaw changes must be sent to the provincial government within seven days of passage. This filing took place on December 11, 2015. The government has 45 days to consider whether to disallow the bylaws. Confirmation to members of final bylaw status will follow.

Our thanks goes out to all members and honorary members who participated in this important process.

For more information on and to read the bylaw amendments (and supporting rationales), please visit the AIBC website.