A lovely evening was had on Thursday, November 17 at the 2016 AIBC Recognition Ceremony, where the accomplishments of Architectural Institute of British Columbia (AIBC) volunteers were celebrated. Former council members along with three volunteers were called to the stage for special recognition of contributions to the profession of architecture and to the institute.
Scott Kemp Architect AIBC emceed the ceremony and welcomed award presenters Danica Djurkovic Architect AIBC, Paul Merrick Retired Architect AIBC, AIBC CEO Mark Vernon and AIBC General Counsel, Deputy CEO, and; Director of Professional Conduct & Illegal Practice Thomas Lutes to the stage to present awards and certificates.
The 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award went to Joe Y. Wai Architect AIBC, who regaled those gathered with highlights from a career spent protecting cultural heritage and communities through architectural intervention. Mr. Wai was fêted by friend and SFU Professor Emeritus Jan Walls, who performed a “kuai ban shu” or bamboo clappertale piece entitled “Big Bad Joe” (lyrics below).
Sean Rodrigues Architect AIBC received the inaugural CEO Award for Exceptional Volunteer Service and delivered a moving speech, sharing an anecdote about how his father emphasized the importance of giving back to the community as he was growing up. Mr. Rodrigues was recognized for his significant contributions to the AIBC.
A second new award was presented to Brian Sim Architect AIBC who was honoured with the AIBC Award for Lifetime Volunteer Achievement for his commitment to the self-regulation of the profession of architecture, his service on AIBC Council, as well as over 20 AIBC Committees and Boards. Gayle Roberts, AIBC’s Professional Conduct Officer, accepted the award on his behalf.
Gordon Richards Architect AIBC, John Etcher Architect AIBC, David Toole Lieutenant Governor Appointee and Michael Currie Architectural Technologist AIBC were honoured with Certificates of Recognition for their contributions as AIBC Council Members or Invited Guests to Council.
Event photos are available on Flickr.
To learn more about the AIBC’s recognition program, please visit aibc.ca.
“Big Bad Joe” Lyrics
Every morning in the office you can see him arrive,
about five foot ten, weighs one forty-five,
kinda broad at the shoulders, narrow at the hip,
and everybody knows you don’t give no lip to Big Joe,
Big Joe… … Big, Bad, Joe.
He came as a little kid from Hong Kong
and maybe that’s what made him so tough and strong
and always sensitive to right and wrong.
He doesn’t talk much, kind of quiet and shy,
but you’ll see a big smile if you just say “Hi”
to Big Joe… Big Joe… Big, Bad, Joe…
It was back in the ’60’s you may recall,
when Strathcona faced the biggest challenge of all:
the highway planners were up to no good,
gonna flatten and demolish the whole neighborhood.
… … Neighbors were praying and hearts beat fast,
thinking their neighborhood was breathing its last,
but not Joe… Oh no,… Not Big Bad Joe.
He said “This isn’t gonna happen if I have my way,
and it’ll be my way… not the highway.
So he joined in the movement and they saved the day
as the whole community all joined hands
and the whole Strathcona demolition plan
was kicked all the way to the Promised Land
by a mighty little neighborhood resistance band
and Big Joe… Oh yeah,… Big Bad Joe.
Well Joe didn’t slow down after that,
he’s got lots of other feathers in his hat.
The Sun Yat Sen Garden was his design
and it became a destination tourist shrine,
an urban oasis, a cultural gold mine.
He designed the Chinatown Millennium Gate,
his creative juices just don’t abate,
the Cultural Centre Museum and Archives
recording and exhibiting, enriching lives;
the Chinatown Plaza and its big parkade
turned a parking nightmare into “made in the shade”.
He has an Honorary Doctorate from Emily Carr
and a Lifetime Achievement Service Award.
With a record like this you’d think he’d be braggin’,
but no way, Joe Wai’s a modest Dragon,
Big Joe… Big Joe… Big, Modest, Joe.
Once you get to know him you become a fan,
he’s a man of the millennium, a modern man,
He’s been up-linked, downloaded, inputted, outsourced,
hot-wired, upgraded, downsized, and of course
he’s hyperactive, interactive, in your face
with a prominent place on every database,
Big Joe… Big Joe… Big, Bad, Joe.
He can’t take it slow, can’t go with the flow,
can’t ride with the tide, gotta glide at his own stride,
he lives behind the eight ball, ahead of the curve,
he’s 10 percent body fat and 90 percent nerve,
a raging workaholic and a working rage-aholic,
he can be a rude dude, but he is the real deal,
he’s tough, he’s rough, and he’s hard to bluff,
you can’t shut him up, and you can’t dumb him down,
so don’t even think about messing around
with Big Joe, a real pro, way to go, Big Joe
I’m sure this doesn’t even need to be said,
but Joe, please don’t let all this go to your head.
We want you to stay just the way you are: a modest low-key superstar.
Big Joe… Big Joe… Big, Bad, Joe.