Professional Development

Small Practice: The Competitive Edge

Matthew Woodruff, MAIBC  - Matthew Woodruff Architecture Inc., Vancouver + Michel Labrie, MAIBC – Michel Labrie Architect, Vancouver
Friday 9:15-10:45 AM

The nature of architectural practice is changing.  Our core services, practice models, and tools all seem to be in flux.  For small firms, just hanging on sometimes feels like an accomplishment, while many large practices seem to be defined only by technocratic skills rather than ideas or vision.  As architects, however, our conceptual and leadership abilities are more needed than ever to help meet the challenges of a changing world.  With a focus on the themes of emerging areas of expertise, collaboration, and mobility this session will seek to explore opportunities for new models of practice to rejuvenate the profession.

Matthew Woodruff matthewwoodruff.com focuses his small practice on the poetic and social potential of sustainability.  Matthew runs a globally dispersed team of five from his home on an island, two hours by boat from Vancouver.

Michel Labrie mlarchitect.ca is an architect and is recognized as a green building expert.  Michel’s office is located within a co-working space (www.hivevancouver.com) where he practices multi-disciplinary innovative thinking on a daily basis.

Beyond 3D Modeling – Mining the BIM for Information Riches

Geraldine Rayner, MAIBC, RIBA – Summit BIM Consulting, Vancouver + Richard Brown, MAIBC – Vancouver Island Health Authority, Victoria
Friday 9:15-10:45 AM

This session will consider the current health of the architectural, engineering and construction industry with a view to assessing how BIM can help the Consulting Team to address the expectations of owners. The aim is to promote a better understanding of the difference between Building Modeling (i.e. plain 3D Drafting) and Building Information Modeling and to appreciate the value of the "Information" aspect of this process. The session will also suggest what intelligence needs to be included to maximize the value of an integrated model of the Owner.

Geraldine Rayner summitbim.com has over 20 years of experience as a registered architect. Various projects have allowed her to explore the practical application of Building Information Modeling and she now works full-time as a BIM Consultant.

Thinking Inside the Box (Modular Construction)

B. Ian Bazley – B. Ian Bazley Architect, Kelowna
Friday 9:15-10:45 AM

The presentation provides a brief overview of the current state of (i) modular construction as it currently exists in the general construction, primarily multi-family, environment and (ii) the state of manufactured building - modular & mobile homes as they relate, or don't, to that multi-family environment.

Following this brief overview the presentation focuses on how large, 4M+/- x 20M+/- modular components can be integrated into traditional architectural designs and construction environments. The presentation posits that neither modular boxes nor pre-fabricated panels alone can meet the design, construction, or economy needs of our current buildings.

Dubbed "Typology 3 - T3" the proposed system is presented in a well illustrated and thought invoking presentation titled "THINKING INSIDE THE BOX".

B. Ian Bazley is a graduate UofT '72, Reg. AAA in '76, moved to B.C in '93. Focus has been on envelope design and research into various aspects of modular ( large component based) construction. Worked in China from 2000-2005 won international competition for design of Shanghai's main 24 hall funeral complex.

A Legacy of Stone (guided tour of the Banff Springs Hotel)

Rachel Curry and others, Brock White, Edmonton
Friday 9:15-10:45 AM

Description of tour/presentation: Is a castle without stone really a castle? Tour the incredible Banff Springs Hotel inside and out and you'll find incredible masonry features that when studied will engage your imagination. True masonry marvels wrap the hotel in a timeless blanket unsurpassed by any other cladding. Your 1.5 hour guided tour begins in the lobby of the hotel and twists and turns along darkened corridors and hidden alcoves. Along the way the history of the hotel's masonry will be shared as well as some interesting facts about the trials and tribulations of building with stone over 100 years ago, as well as today. Marvel at the fossil ridden stone that graces the walls, floors and features of the hotel telling a story that was 400 million years in the making. As we search the world for new and innovative materials and techniques that will withstand the test of time, maybe we should consider materials and structures that have stood for more than a lifetime as a living testament to what we already know and have readily at hand.

Rachel Curry brockwhite.com is only one of 4 presenters that will take you on this guided tour of the hotel. She is currently the Architectural Sales Rep with Brock White Edmonton, working with Architects and Design Professionals.

Implementing Human Rights in Architectural Practice

Graeme Bristol, MRAIC, MAIBC, LLM, MASA, B.Arch, B.A. – Centre for Architecture and Human Rights, Victoria
Friday 3:30-5:00 PM

The protection and advancement of human rights is about much more than law. However, as human rights law evolves, the profession of architecture must evolve with it. This is not simply about exposure to new areas of liability but also about making design work better. It is also intended to address why and how we should implement a rights-based approach to the practice of our profession.

Graeme Bristol architecture-humanrights.org studied both architecture and human rights law. He is the founder of the Centre for Architecture and Human Rights and works with vulnerable communities in Southeast Asia.

Engaging Meaningful Social Terrains to Create an Enduring Practice

David T. Fortin, PhD, Architect AAA, MRAIC – Montana State University + Michael Everts, AIA, NCARB – Montana State University
Friday 3:30-5:00 PM

Recent studies reveal that the often-divided territories of business and socially beneficial initiatives co-exist. Building on this idea of co-dependence, a firm can structure a desirable organization to young professionals that is self-perpetuating because of the kind of work produced and the attraction of like-devoted co-workers. Our university partners with several professional firms and organizations for "creative project initiatives," encouraging individuals (academic and professional) to seek out socially relevant work that can aid in the recruiting of passionate team members while contributing to a portfolio of meaningful work. Colleagues from Kenya and Nepal will participate via video.

David Fortin is a registered architect in the province of Alberta in Canada, holding degrees from the University of Saskatchewan, the University of Calgary, and the University of Edinburgh. He teaches design studio and architectural history at Montana State University where he is currently researching the dynamics of global urban growth as it relates to informal communities. Working with colleagues at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology in Kenya and students and colleagues at MSU, the team is developing sustainable design strategies for housing in Nairobi that specifically interrogate perceived distinctions between rural and urban conditions. Ultimately interested in the notion of home, David's research interests extend to the crossovers between architecture and science-fiction. He is the author of Architecture and Science-Fiction Film: Philip K. Dick and the Spectacle of Home, as well as a chapter on Dick in the forthcoming Writing the Modern City: Literature, Architecture, Modernity.

Michael Everts is a registered architect and associate professor of architecture. Since 2003, he has taught advanced graduate level design, professional practice, and special design topic courses at Montana State University. He was educated at UW-Milwaukee, Montana State University, University of Texas-Austin (B Arch 1987) and Columbia University NY (MS in Architecture and Urban Design, 1991). Prior to teaching at MSU, he practiced architecture in Chicago with Valerio Dewalt Train Associates for ten years. He has also practiced in Milwaukee, San Antonio and New York. His realized work includes commercial centers, manufacturing facilities, workspaces, and innovative exhibits. Parallel to his built work, he advocates (through competitions, design research, and student involved design/build projects) an architecture that is engaged with the reality of the society in which it is embedded in order to be an instrument of positive social change. Currently he is working with colleagues and students on design/build initiatives in Nepal and Kenya.

Public Art: Culture in the Public Domain

Kristy Trinier – Edmonton Arts Council, Edmonton
Friday 3:30-5:00 PM

This session is an introduction to public art, focusing on how communities are incorporating art and culture in the urban and park environments. The session will give an overview of the types of public art, from permanent to transitory, and give examples of projects in a variety of mediums and site locations. The session will give case study examples of how artists participated in the design process, the typical cycle of how a public art project works, some practical considerations, and give some context to the controversies and challenges of the field of public art. This session will inspire you to think of opportunities for art and culture on your next design project.

Kristy Trinier edmontonarts.ca is the Public Art Director of the Edmonton Arts Council. She has a Master's degree in Public Art from the Dutch Art Institute (ArtEZ Hogeschool voor de Kunsten) and a Bachelor's degree in Visual Art from the University of Victoria. She has a background in arts administration and has exhibited sound art and sculpture installation internationally.

Radical Situations

Paul Raff – Paul Raff Studio, Toronto
Saturday 8:00-9:30 AM

From civic monuments to inspiring building designs, Paul Raff Studio's work is powerful and poetic. In this presentation, architect Paul Raff will discuss how situation-based creative strategies radically improve human performance in terms of environmental, economic, and social sustainability.

Paul Raff Studio works in various cultural contexts across Canada and internationally, including Bluepoint, currently under construction in Southern Thailand, and winner of a Royal Architectural Institute of Canada Innovation Award.

Absolute commitment to every project's unique situation within its total environment, has led to the Studio's remarkable innovations and growing impact on local & global architecture and design.

Paul Raff paulraffstudio.com is an architect, artist, visionary thinker and founder of Paul Raff Studio. Award-winning projects and experience include private residential, cultural, and commercial architecture, master planning, urban design, multi-media, public art, private gardens, and special features. He is a frequent guest lecturer at leading universities.

A Cultural Shift to Collaborative Integrated Design

Scott A. Matheson, RET, GSC - PCL Construction Management Inc., Edmonton
Saturday 8:00-9:30 AM

The time to work collaboratively is now. In both the public and private industry the increasing demand for projects to be delivered in less time requires a truly integrated approach. The only way to achieve a successful end product for the Client is to assemble a collaborative team of design and construction professionals with the common goals and objectives to deliver quality through a cost effective, timely delivery model. Trust between all partners and leveraging trade contractor knowledge and relationships is key. The process begins with a "Best Value" procurement model.

As Director of Business Development for Alberta, Scott A. Matheson pcl.com is currently responsible for the development of projects for PCL throughout the province of Alberta and is actively monitoring and pursuing over $10.0 billion in construction contracts in our very busy Marketplace. His solid construction background allows him to analyze and communicate construction variables such as project risk, opportunity, and obligation; commercial terms for contracts, contract law and documentation issues, delivery of pre-construction services and project construction cost analysis specific to design-build and the P3 approach to project delivery.

Previously as a Project Manager, Scott has successfully completed over $500 million worth of commercial, residential, industrial, light civil, pre-engineered and design-build construction work under many different contractual arrangements and project conditions. From a supervisory role analyzing life cycle and cost forecasting, Scott provides clients with the value-engineering options necessary for cost-effective construction. Scott's ability to determine client needs translates into effective tailor-made project delivery models for each project. He also provides "developer style" services to clients and assists their projects through the preparation of total control budgets as well as supporting the design teams programming requirements.

Richard Brown is a registered architect in British Columbia. For the past 10 years he has been the Manager of Design and Construction for the Vancouver Island Health Authority. In this capacity he has overseen the design and construction of numerous health care facilities.

Illuminating a Path to Net Zero Energy

Zachary Suchara, AIA, LC, LEED AP – Luma Lighting Design, Portland
Saturday 8:00-9:30 AM

Without light, architecture is just something to bump into.

The integration of light into space not only defines and informs, but has a substantial impact on the overall energy impact of a building. Electric illumination, plug-loads, HVAC, glazing and interior finishes are all influenced by light.

This presentation focuses on a holistic approach to the integration of light to drive the building design towards a net-zero energy solution. Specific cases studies will be presented including:

1. A pilot "Path to Net Zero Energy" building for the Chemeketa Community College campus
2. Center for Sustainable Design and Construction, pursuing a Living Building Certification

Zachary Suchara lumald.com is an Oregon registered architect, Director of Design for Luma Lighting Design,adjunt professor with the Marylhurst University Interior Design Program. LEED AP, Member: Cascadia Green Building Council.