What Should be Done With the Architecture of America’s Racist Past?

By Associated Press
Global News, Feb 9, 2016

(Image: A woman stands in the old doorway of the Lyric Theatre, in Birmingham, Ala. Courtesy of Global News and AP, photo by Brynn Anderson)

Growing up in the 1950s, William Bell had to enter Birmingham’s segregated Lyric Theatre though a side entrance, marked “COLORED,” that was walled-off from the elegant lobby. He climbed a dimly lit stairwell to watch movies from the steep balcony where black patrons had to sit for generations.

Now the city’s mayor, he recalls the Lyric’s beauty, but also the way it isolated black people.

The inequity built into The Lyric Theatre’s very architecture is a painful reminder of the city’s ugly past as one of the most segregated places in America. But it also serves as a living history lesson, a symbol of how the Deep South has changed since the courts ended discriminatory Jim Crow laws. Read more…

Under the Sea: Egypt Plans Underwater Museum to Show Off Sunken Relics

by Melissa Locker
Wallpaper, Jan 21, 2016

(Image: Egypt has announced plans for an ambitious underwater museum. Courtesy of Wallpaper, photo by Jacques Rougerie Architecte)

The Lighthouse of Pharos has been at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea for centuries, but soon tourists might be able to see it when they visit Egypt—no diving equipment required.

The Egyptian ministry of antiquities recently announced plans to build an underwater museum in the harbor off of Alexandria’s shore. It would be the first museum of its kind (although others are considering similar moves) and would give visitors a chance to see some of the ancient treasures, like Cleopatra’s Palace, that have been under feet of water for ages. Read more…

Remembering When Architecture Predicted the Future

by Lev Bratishenko
Maclean’s, Jan 30, 2016

“Most of us now understand that architecture is the least suitable instrument with which to achieve social justice,” Museum of Modern Art curator Arthur Drexler said in 1975. That quote could be the antithesis of this book, which looks at the 1960s and 1970s as a period when governments were brave enough to experiment and architecture could claim to improve social and spatial organization.

A few traces of this hopeful time appear today, rather depressingly: tensile structures drape like high-tech skins over expensive corporate buildings while the enormous free spaces imagined by Buckminster Fuller and Konrad Wachsmann are best realized in highly reconfigurable supermarkets and airports. Instead of a three-day work week, space colonies, and green tech, we got Starbucks at gate C43. Read more…

President’s Message: 2016 AIBC Annual Meeting – Save the Date!

It is my great pleasure to invite you to the 97th AIBC Annual Meeting which will be held on May 16, 2016, the first day of the 2016 AIBC Annual Conference. This important event is a terrific opportunity to hear from your elected council about the past year, learn more about the institute’s plans for the upcoming year, discuss areas of interest or concern as well as catch up with colleagues and new registrants.

New for the 97th AIBC Annual Meeting

In our desire to uphold the highest standards of governance and operations that are representative of institutional excellence, a number of positive changes have been implemented for this year’s Annual Meeting.

• The Annual Meeting will be held on the first day of the 2016 AIBC Annual Conference
Holding the Annual Meeting on the first day of the Annual Conference – moved from the fall to a spring schedule – allows more members the opportunity to attend, particularly those who are in Vancouver for the conference. Some members may recall this familiar format from past Annual Meetings. The meeting details are as follows:

97th AIBC Annual Meeting
Date: Monday, May 16, 2016
Time: 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. (registration opens at 2 p.m.)
Location: Vancouver Convention Centre West, Rooms 212-213
AIBC Learning Units (LUs): 2 non-core
RSVP: Online
Refreshments will be served.

• 2016/17 AIBC Council Call for Nominations package posted on the AIBC website
As more people choose electronic communications over paper-based communications, the AIBC is now posting all documents related to the Call for Nominations to AIBC Council online instead of sending the materials by mail. This change provides members with additional flexibility since the documents are readily available with the convenience of 24/7 accessibility. It is an environmentally responsible decision that eliminates the paper waste of unused forms. Please refer to the “Call for Nominations to 2016/17 AIBC Council” section below for more information.

• For the first time, council election voting will be conducted by electronic ballot
The AIBC has been conducting electronic voting for recent bylaw amendments with great success as demonstrated by the voting results, and we are confident our members will continue to see value with electronic voting for council elections. Eligible voters are encouraged to vote as soon as the voting period opens, however, arrangements will be made to allow casting of electronic ballots up to the start of the Annual Meeting. Stay tuned for further details on electronic voting.

• New quorum for the Annual Meeting
As per the recently approved administrative bylaw amendments, the quorum for the Annual Meeting is now set at 40 members as stated in the updated AIBC Bylaws.

• Invitation to submit Council Liaisons Expressions of Interest
Instead of holding elections for the Intern Architect or Architectural Technologist liaisons to council, we are inviting submissions of interest for these non-voting guest representative positions. Council will select these representatives from among those individuals who submit an expression of interest. This process is more consistent with the governance model deployed by council. Please refer to the “Council Liaisons Expressions of Interest” section below for further information.

Call for Nominations to 2016/17 AIBC Council

Nominations are now being invited for the 2016/2017 AIBC Council. This is your opportunity to help shape the work of the body responsible for the self-regulating governance of the architectural profession in British Columbia in the public interest.

To download the Call for Nominations package and editable Nominee Statement Form, visit the AIBC website.

Council Liaisons Expressions of Interest

Submissions of interest are now being invited for an Intern Architect AIBC and an Architectural Technologist AIBC to sit as liaisons and non-voting guest representatives at council meetings.

To download the Council Liaisons Expressions of Interest forms, visit the AIBC website.

More information on the annual meeting is available on the AIBC website where additional details regarding the meeting agenda and other supporting materials will be provided prior to the event.

Online registration is now open; RSVP your attendance.

I hope to see you at the 97th AIBC Annual Meeting!

Darryl Condon Architect AIBC
AIBC Council President

2016 AIBC Architectural Awards Submission Deadline – Less Than Three Weeks Left!

The Architectural Institute of British Columbia showcases the best in B.C. architecture through its highly-respected Architectural Awards program.

An esteemed jury with representation from both within and outside the profession will consider candidates for the Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia Awards in Architecture (both medal and merit); the AIBC Innovation Award; the AIBC Emerging Firm Award and the AIBC Special Jury Award.

While honours are given in these distinct award categories, there is one common element: Excellence.

Winners are celebrated at the Architectural Awards Reception on May 18, 2016 as part of the AIBC Annual Conference, and featured in architectureBC.

Submit An Architectural Awards Application:

For detailed information including award criteria and submission requirements, and to make your submission, please visit the AIBC Architectural Awards website.

Deadline for Awards Submissions: February 29, 2016 (5 p.m. PST)

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact communications@aibc.ca.

In Passing: James Terrance (Terry) Barkley

James Terrance (Terry) Barkley
Former Architect AIBC, MRAIC
November 15, 1937 – January 22, 2016

James Terrance (Terry) Barkley passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on January 22, 2016 with his beloved companion, Iona Douglas, beside him. Terry was predeceased by his father, James Loury Barkley of Lethbridge, Alberta, mother Dorothy Barkley (nee Conners) of Coalhurst, Alberta, and brother John (Jackie) Barkley of Vancouver, B.C. He is survived by his close cousins, Bruce MacDonald and Bob Connors. Growing up, Terry moved with his family to army barracks throughout Canada and overseas. Ultimately, his love of history and world events were cultivated throughout his childhood. He settled in Vancouver and attended UBC. Terry was an accomplished architect who specialized in the design of schools and sports venues. His legacy remains with his projects which include the Vancouver Aquatic Centre, Minoru Aquatic Centre, Ladner Leisure Centre, Qualicum Beach Aquatic Centre, Lynn Valley Community Centre, Westwind Elementary School and Karen Magnussen Wave Pool. To Iona, Terry was a great joy; kind, wise, funny, loyal and patient. He was a student of history, a lover of music, theatre and travel. He was devoted to his friends, most especially, his beloved professional colleagues, Barry Thorson and Nick Milkovich. Terry is deeply missed. Family and friends will be notified about a celebration of life for Terry which is planned for the Spring.

Published in Vancouver Sun and/or The Province from Feb. 5 to Feb. 7, 2016.

U40 Lunch – Legends of Architecture 2016

 

​Join Leslie Van Duzer, Director UBC School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, as she speaks with three of Vancouver’s most prominent architects.

Discussion will focus on where Vancouver architecture and design has been, where it is now and where it should be headed in the future.

The panel will discuss:

• What made Vancouver the place to grow their firms?
• What are their fundamental principles of architecture?
• What are some of their favorite projects and why?
• What is their vision for the growth of Vancouver?
• How does citizen engagement, green building, and CAC’s affect the design of our cities?

Date: February 26, 2016
Time: 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM PST
Location: Pavilion Ballroom – Sheraton Wall Centre, 1088 Burrard St, Vancouver
Cost: $75 + GST UDI members, $100 + GST non-members
Register: Online

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 Canadian Green Building Awards

The Canadian Green Building Awards recognize excellence in the design and execution of Canadian residential and non-residential buildings of all types, including new construction, existing buildings, renovations and interior design projects.

Entry kits are now available for the 2016 Canadian Green Building Awards, a joint program of Sustainable Architecture & Building (SABMag)/ecoHouse Canada, and the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC).

Winning projects will be published in the Summer issues of SABMag and ecoHouse Canada, and on websites www.sabmagazine.com, and www.ecohome.net.

The Awards accepts all types of projects: commercial/institutional/industrial and housing (includes Part 9 construction), both new, renovated and fit ups. Awards will be given at the national level and regional level for BC, Prairies, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic.

Deadline to receive submissions is March 4; judging is March 11. Winning entries will be announced at the CaGBC National Conference in Toronto on June 6.

Register on the SABMag website to receive your Entry Kit. A modest fee is required only if you submit a project.

All projects submitted will be considered for publishing in SABMag/ecoHouse Canada.

For more information contact Don Griffith at dgriffith@sabmagazine.com or 1-800-520-6281, x304.