UBC SALA Lecture Series: Frank Barkow

SALA Friends and Family Lecture by Frank Barkow, Barkow Leibinger, Berlin, Germany.

Frank Barkow studied architecture at Montana State University and the Harvard Graduate School of Design. In 1993, Frank Barkow and Regine Leibinger founded their practice in Berlin. Their discursive research-based approach to architecture and design allows the work to respond to advancing knowledge and technology, and places the practice at the forefront of digital and analogue fabrication techniques.

Important projects include the Biosphere in Potsdam, Germany, the Customer and Administration Building, the Gate House and the Campus Restaurant in Ditzingen, Germany, and the Trutec Building in Seoul. BL has received three National AIA Honor Awards for Architecture, the Marcus Prize for Architecture, recognizing emerging architects, and a Global Holcim Innovation Award for Sustainable Construction.

Date: February 29, 2016, 6:30-8pm
Location: Vancouver Playhouse – 600 Hamilton Street Vancouver
Cost: Free but ticketed
Register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/sala-lecture-series-frank-barkow-tickets-20741716031

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.

Soon Showing on a Screen Near You

Designers Putting Chile at the Forefront of Architecture

by Akil Wingate
Crave, Feb 11, 2016

(Image: Smiljan Radić’s Serpentine Pavilion, a temporary installation at Kensington Gardens in London. Courtesy of Crave)

The creations of Smiljan Radić, LAND Arquitectos, and Alejandro Aravena have made Chile the new hub of forward thinking architecture.

If you’ve ever needed an excuse to hop on a plane and jaunt to Chile for a wild, eye-popping excursion, now is the time. Chile is rich in tastes and sounds, flavors and colors, sensations that pop and a spicy sense of détente fit for anyone wanting to take the edge off a getaway vacation. But vacations aside, Chile is no mere tourist trap. The country is home to some of the most innovative and daring urban designs, and is being hailed as the new hub of forward thinking architecture. This year promises to only cement that public opinion with a new push in design projects from a host of veterans and rising Chilean stars. Read more…

Architecture Students Build Artificial Northern Lights

by Heidi Ulrichsen
Sudbury Northern Life, Feb 11, 2016

(Image: A group of six second- and third-year Laurentian University School of Architecture students have been hard at work, preparing their entry for the Winter Stations Design Competition: a sculpture representing the northern lights. Courtesy of Sudbury Northern Life)

For the last few months, a group of six second- and third-year Laurentian University School of Architecture students have been hard at work, preparing their entry for the Winter Stations Design Competition.

The international exhibition, which runs Feb. 15 to March 20, invites participants to transform lifeguard stations along Toronto’s waterfront into art installations. This year’s theme is “freeze-thaw.”

Laurentian Architecture was one of four post-secondary institutions invited to participate in the competition. Read more…

Canada’s Grand Railway Hotels are Second to None

by Bob Taylor
Communities Digital News, Feb 13, 2016

(Image: The Empress Hotel in Victoria, BC. Courtesy of Communities Digital News, Wikipedia)

When Canada completed its first transcontinental railway in 1885, connecting Eastern Canada with British Columbia, the country did something else that has become an elegant reminder of the past for travelers from around the world. It constructed a series of grand hotels across the country, each with its own personality and character.

Every one of Canada’s railway hotels is a national landmark that has become a symbol of the country’s history and architecture.

At one time or another, we have all seen pictures of these magnificent “château style” structures but probably are unaware of the story behind them. Read more…

Energy Efficiency Compliance for Wood Window & Door Manufacturers

A one-day seminar will be held for wood window and door manufacturers, as well as architects to review updates to energy efficiency and other requirements in the NAFS, BC Building Code and Vancouver’s Building Bylaw. A panel comprised of; wood window & door manufacturer, energy efficient windows and doors expert, building bylaws/codes expert, and product testing expert will present. Ample time will be allowed for manufacturers & architects to have specific questions answered at a Q+A panel.

Date: March 3, 2016, 10am-4pm
Location: Sheraton Guilford Hotel, 15269 – 104th Avenue, Surrey
Cost: $135
Register: http://cawp.ubc.ca/event/energy-efficiency-compliance-for-wood-window-manufacturers/

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.

CSC Vancouver Chapter

Demystifying Acoustics by AcousticTECH/Soprema Soundproofing
This presentation outlines basic acoustic principles and definitions, specifically the transfer of impact and airborne sounds in multi-story buildings. Efficient means of acoustic insulation will be discussed using multiple case studies of recent floor-ceiling assemblies.

This presentation benefits industry professionals such as architects, designers, acoustic engineers, builders, and general contractors interested and/or concerned with acoustic insulation of multi-story buildings.

Participants will learn the following:

1. Basic Acoustic Principles and Definitions
2. Impact and Airborne sounds in multi-story buildings
3. Means of soundproofing buildings
4. The do’s and don’ts of acoustic design

Date: March 10, 2016, 12:30-1:30pm
Location: Sandman Hotel, 180 West Georgia Street, Vancouver
Cost: $39.90 for CSC members, $50.40 Non-Members
AIBC Learning Units (LUs): 1 core LU
Register: http://vancouver.csc-dcc.ca

Peter Wall Dinner Forum on Soft Architecture

This special dinner forum features a talk and discussion led by designers Joe Dahmen and Amber Frid-Jimenez who will present recent architectural installations exploring softness.

Soft systems attempt to account for non-linear processes whose complexity derives from the shifting interrelationships between elements whose stability is rooted in dynamism. The move toward soft methodologies across disciplines represents a significant shift with important implications for the way we approach architectural environments and materials. Contemporary architectural explorations of softness build in new and technically sophisticated ways on earlier efforts to reduce architectural space to its primary elements. This talk will look at the effects of physical and operational softness on the experience of architectural space through the lens of recent public space installations using mycelium biocomposites and recycled materials. The designers use creative material exploration to provoke fundamental questions about our relationship to architecture.

Date: February 24, 2016, 6-9pm
Location: UBC Peter Wall Institute, E Conference Room, University Centre, 6331 Crescent Road, Vancouver
Cost: $25
Register: http://events.pwias.ubc.ca/associate-events

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 Recognition Program

The AIBC believes in recognizing our volunteers and other individuals who have made positive impacts in the profession of architecture and its public appreciation.

Take this opportunity to recognize committed volunteers and other individuals for their outstanding contributions to the profession, the community or the Institute.

Nomination forms for the following AIBC Recognition Awards are now available on our website:

• AIBC Lifetime Achievement Award
• AIBC Special Certificate of Recognition
• The Barbara Dalrymple Memorial Award for Community Service

The deadline for nominations is August 29, 2016 (4:30 p.m. PST).

For more information about the AIBC Recognition Awards program, please contact Shawna Chilton at 604-683-8588, extension 305; or by email at schilton@aibc.ca.