We look forward to receiving your comments at info@raic.org
This month's E-Broadcast is overflowing with informative and interesting items. To make reading easier, we've divided the news items into categories. In this E-Broadcast, find out about:
RAIC EVENTS & NEWS
Credits Abound at the 2004 Festival of Architecture
The 2004 Festival of Architecture is more than a great location – Québec City: a UNESCO world heritage site –its attraction to architects is its high-quality education and information. Its rich professional development program in sustainability, heritage, technology, management and architectural design – all of which satisfy provincial education credits – is THE reason to come out and enjoy fellowship with colleagues. If that is not enough there are sessions on Health Care Design in Canada and Greening the Curricula; panel discussions such as the Theme Panel and Women in Architecture. Of course we expect that keynote speaker Dr. Albert Jacquard, a noted geneticist by trade, humanist by calling, and former professor at Università delle Svizzera italiana-Accademia di architettura School of Architecture; will stir conversation among attendees.
Preplanning and early registration will ensure the best travel rates and hotel availability (preferential rates end May 15). If you haven’t yet received your final program in the mail, check it out online. Don’t delay, register now.
The RAIC is pleased to announce the winner of the Arthur Buckwell Memorial Scholarship
Arthur Buckwell Memorial Scholarship valued at $1,500 has been awarded to Edward Anthony Zec, a student at the school of Architecture of the University of Manitoba who has, in the judgement of the faculty, shown distinction in design. A formal certificate and letter of congratulations is on its way to Mr. Zec.
New faces at RAIC
There are many new faces at the RAIC – a new team of dedicated and bilingual individuals eager to help and serve to promote the architectural profession.
Sylvie Powell, will be managing all Communications, Event Management and Membership recruitment. Until agreeing to take on the challenge at RAIC, Sylvie had been managing a thriving soup-to-nuts consultancy in the broadcasting culture field. You may be familiar with a recent print, television and radio campaign she worked to coordinate “Theft is theft – Stealing satellite signals is no different”.
“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to raise the profile of such a respected profession,” said Sylvie. “It is not often in a communications person’s career that you get to build on such tradition. I look forward to the challenge and to meeting members at the Festival in June.”
Étienne Sicotte, Communications Coordinator and Webmaster will be working closely with Sylvie as they revamp the web site and freshen the Institute’s look.
Chantal Frédette, who until recently had been Administrative Assistant to Finance and Membership has been promoted to Membership Coordinator.
They join Diane Fahlman, Manager, Fundraising and Development; Bryde Kelly, Manager, Honours and Awards, Executive Services, Tareq Alihasan, Manager Finance; and, Nicole Pelletier, Administrative Assistant in supporting members and Executive Director Jon Hobbs, OAA, MRAIC, Assoc. AIA.
PROFESSIONAL NEWS
Business Opportunities for Canadian Planners, Architects, Landscape Architects and Interior Designers active in China
Last October, CMHC International put together a directory of Canadian architects active in China titled Celebrating Canadian Design in China, in response to repeated requests for information on Canadian green, healthy and sustainable housing design capabilities from Chinese developers, the housing industry and government organizations as well as the Canadian Embassy and Consulates in China. A new edition of the directory, which includes Canadian planners, architects, landscape architects and interior designers active in China is currently underway. If you were not part of the initial initiative and would like to showcase your firm and housing projects in China, please contact Jorge Malisani at CMHC International at (416) 218-3345 or by email at jmalisan@cmhc.ca.
Registration for CMHC Faculty Design Summit III available at their web site
CMHC is a proud supporter of the RAIC's 2004 Festival: Prosperity through Residential Design – New Markets for Sole Practitioners and Small Architectural Firms, Woodframe Construction Details Workshop, and Building Envelopes: Advanced Design and High Performance Curtain Walls. During the Festival the CMHC is also offering its Faculty Design Summit III – separately. Registration for this event is being handled by CMHC. Please sign up here.
Health Canada advises loose fill vermiculite insulation a potential health risk
RAIC has recently been advised by Health Canada of a potential health risk due to asbestos in loose fill vermiculite insulation. Vermiculite concentrates from the Libby Mine in Montana have been shown to contain asbestos fibre (tremolite), a suspected carcinogen causing asbestosis and forms of cancer. The mine operated from the 1920s and was closed in 1992. Homes in Canada built before 1992 may contain "Zonolite" that used vermiculite concentrates from the Libby Mine. Information can be obtained at www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/protection/warnings/2004/2004_14.htm.
Architecture+ Awards 2004 ‘Design for a New World’
Deadline for registration: May 15, 2004.
Open to architects globally for projects completed successfully in the ‘New World’ region, i.e. the Middle East, Asia, Africa and the Indian Sub Continent. One of the major highlights is $10,000 US for the Aspiring Architect Award category for students from universities across the world. In total, ten individuals/practices will be honoured during a spectacular Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner on November 23, 2004 in Dubai.
Complete details are available at – www.arcplusawards.com .
Sustainable Building Information System
Members may find this newsletter - designed to provide users with non-commercial information about sustainable building around the world full of valuable information.
COMPETITIONS
Alternate Project Delivery RFP now online
Bids from private sector service providers for property management, project delivery and other related services for Federal Government properties can be made online through the Government Electronic Tendering Service (www.merx.com). The Contracting Authority for this project, Bill MacPhail is now accepting requests for site visits (613)736-3135 or bill.macphail@pwgsc.gc.ca.
C2C Home Design Competition
Entry deadline: Dec. 15, 2004
The C2C Home design and construction competition—sponsored by the Roanoke, Virginia, Regional Housing Network in association with the AIA and GreenBlue. The design-award-winning homes will be built by late 2005, to achieve the new standards of sustainability set up in Cradle-to-Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things. For details and submission requirements, click here.
AWARDS
2005 Canada's Energy Efficiency Awards
It's that time of year again - time to apply for an award from NRCan for your energy efficient new building design (as well as other categories of awards). The applications deadline is Aug. 31, 2004. For more information: oee.nrcan.gc.ca/awards/home.cfm?PrintView=N&Text=N.
2004 Burwell Coon Travelling Scholarship Award
The deadline is fast approaching – May 1, fill out your application form now.
RAIC MEMBERS WATCH
Do you know of any other RAIC members in the news? Let us know at info@raic.org and we’ll try to include a mention in future E-broadcasts.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
The Canada Green Building Council - LEED Training Workshops
The Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) will be offering full-day LEED Training Workshops in locations across Canada this Spring. Visit http://www.cagbc.ca/building_rating_systems/leed_training_workshops.php for more information and registration.
International Student Exhibition: Environmental Architecture & Sustainable Towns
Deadline for registration and questions: July 15, 2005 / Submissions Jan. 15, 2005
Exhibition July 4-11, 2005 at the 22nd International UIA Congress of Architecture. For more information www.arch.ntua.gr/Ares.
Arcosanti, the world's first prototype Arcology (ARC-hitecture with ec-OLOGY
2004 - May 16, June 20, July 25, Aug 29, Oct 3, Nov 7
Mayer, Arizona
The Arcosanti experience includes education in design and urban theory, but you will also be exposed to a variety of knowledge and experience by living at Arcosanti. More information can be found on our website: www.arcosanti.org.
Informal Architecture Thematic Residency
Residency dates: Sept. 13 – Oct. 31, 2004
Application deadline: April 30, 2004
Notification date: June 2004
Banff Centre
A thematic residency for artists, architects, curators, writers, designers and theorists who create works related to the representation, interpretation and construction of space. For more information about Media & Visual Arts residencies at The Banff Centre www.banffcentre.ca/mva or contact the Office of the Registrar arts_info@banffcentre.ca.
Sharing conservation decisions International Course 2004
Nov. 3-26, 2004
Rome and Florence, Italy
Participants will have the opportunity to expand their existing knowledge, and to debate the various methods and expertise required to make conservation and restoration decisions. For more information www.iccrom.org
FABRICATION: a conference examining the digital practice of architecture
Nov. 11-14, 2004
Toronto and Cambridge, Ontario
Offered jointly by the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the Association for Computer Aided Design in Architecture (ACADIA) and the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA), this conference will focus on how advanced processes such as rapid prototyping and automated construction can reshape building design and construction. For more information www.fabrication.ald.utoronto.ca, or contact@fabrication.ald.utoronto.ca
Catch Up on What You’ve Been Missing!
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ONE LAST THING…
Richard Farson Ph.D., DFC Senior Fellow and President of the Western Behavioral Sciences Institute in La Jolla:
“We often forget that almost everything derives its power from its context. A teacher may seem excellent because so many are mediocre. Honesty is so powerful because it exists against a backdrop of almost constant deception. Similarly, a design may work well only as long as it is different from the conventionality of what existed before. But if it becomes the standard, it may lose its power. That is why most new management techniques work for a while, and then don’t. And it is why constant innovation is the continuing requirement of leadership.”