On November 20, 2019, the AIBC held its 2019 Recognition Ceremony at VanDusen Botanical Garden.
From left to right: Thomas Lutes, Chris Gower Architect AIBC, Ian R. McDonald Architect AIBC, Paul Kernan Architect AIBC, Danica Djurkovic Architect AIBC, Terence Williams Architect AIBC, Robert Cesnik Architect AIBC, Sean Ruthen Architect AIBC, Marguerite Laquinte Francis Architect AIBC, Gordon Richards Architect AIBC.
The event honoured several individuals who made exceptional contributions to the built environment and local communities, as well as AIBC volunteers whose work is critical to furthering the Institute’s public-interest mandate. Awards were presented in two categories: Professional Service and Volunteer Service. Nicholas Bevanda Architect AIBC was posthumously awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contributions to the built environment and community, particularly in the Okanagan. Terence Williams Architect AIBC also received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedication to the profession, notably for his sustainable and innovative approach to design. In the Volunteer Service category, Paul Kernan Architect AIBC received the CEO Award for Exceptional Volunteer Service. In addition, six AIBC Council members were honoured for their contributions.
AIBC Council Member Marguerite Laquinte Francis emceed the ceremony and welcomed award presenters Ian R. McDonald Architect AIBC, AIBC Deputy CEO Thomas Lutes, and Chris Gower Architect AIBC to the stage to present awards and certificates. Marguerite presented the Lifetime Achievement Award for Nicholas Bevanda to Robert Cesnik Architect AIBC, who accepted on Nick’s behalf.
Certificates of Recognition
Six AIBC Council members were honoured with Certificates of Recognition for their contributions: Danica Djurkovic Architect AIBC, Darryl Condon Architect AIBC, Gordon Richards Architect AIBC, Sean Ruthen Architect AIBC, Bruce Haden Architect AIBC, and Marianne Amodio Architect AIBC. All of these individuals served on council during this most recent past term, but in a variety of different roles, from President, Immediate Past President, Registrar, Treasurer, and council members.
AIBC Volunteers
New this year, all AIBC volunteers were invited to the event in recognition of their contributions. Thomas Lutes spoke about the role volunteers play in the organization, and the impact their volunteerism has on the Institute and the profession – particularly in furthering the mandate of the AIBC. Without the work of AIBC’s volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to accomplish all that we do as a regulator. The Institute has more than 25 committees, panels and working groups, which are comprised of nearly 200 volunteers – many of which were able to join in the celebration at the event.
Volunteer Service Awards
Paul Kernan Architect AIBC received the CEO Award for Exceptional Volunteer Service.
Paul has dedicated his architectural expertise to the profession, community and AIBC for more than 20 years.
Since 2011, he has been a member of the Qualifications Committee, assuming the role of chair in 2016. He has also been a member and chair of many other AIBC committees, including the Energy & Environment Committee and the Building Envelope Committee, and was also a former member and chair of the City of North Vancouver Advisory Design Panel. Paul is dedicated to supporting those entering the profession of architecture in B.C. He has been a panelist for Oral Reviews, and recently volunteered to co-deliver the Oral Review Workshop, as well as been an assessor for the Broadly Experienced Foreign Architect Program. Paul has also shared his knowledge with the architectural community through participating as a presenter in Professional Development events hosted by the AIBC.
His experience, knowledge of registration, sense of fairness, mentorship and commitment to the profession and community has made him an invaluable volunteer.
Professional Service Awards
The AIBC Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Terence Williams Architect AIBC.
Terence (Terry) Williams was born in London, England in 1942, in the latter years of World War II. Growing up in a “waste not, want not” era greatly informed Terry’s approach to architecture – one that embraced the mantras that “less is more” and to “reuse, renew, and recycle”.
In 1965, Terry graduated from the University of Bath with a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies. In his early career, he worked on projects in Bristol, London, Helsinki and New York City. He then emigrated from Great Britain with his wife, Liz, to Vancouver, and registered with the Architectural Institute of B.C. in 1970. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Victoria, where Terry joined John Wade as a Partner at Wade Stockdill and Blewett. He would eventually open his own firm, Terence Williams Architect, which has received many awards and accolades, particularly for outstanding sustainable design and architectural acoustics.
Terry has demonstrated his dedication to the profession in many ways. He served on AIBC Council from 1978 to 1983, including two terms as President. He also sat on the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada Board of Directors from 1984 to 1988 (including one term as President), and was Chancellor of the RAIC College of Fellows. From 1999 to 2012, he served as a member of the Parliamentary Precinct Oversight Advisory Committee, which oversaw the long-term vision for Parliament Hill. Terry was also a founding member of the Canadian Green Building Council, given his expertise and involvement with LEED Platinum urban planning projects. Terry has shared his knowledge with the community, acting as a mentor to many young architects.
Terry considers himself to have been extremely lucky in life – “Lucky to have found architecture as a vocation. Lucky to have been able to practise it in various parts of the world. Lucky to raise a family, play rugby, tennis, ski, kayak and row in British Columbia.”
The AIBC Lifetime Achievement Award was posthumously awarded to Nicholas Bevanda Architect AIBC, with Robert Cesnik accepting on his behalf.
Originally from B.C., Nicholas (Nick) Bevanda attended Washington State University, completing a Bachelor of Architecture in 1985. After graduation, he moved back to B.C. and became registered with the Architectural Institute of British Columbia in 1996. As a longtime Penticton resident, Nick left a lasting legacy in the Okanagan through his contributions to both the built environment and community, working on projects in all sectors to ensure a standard of excellence and consistency, while respecting the unique attributes of each project and client.
In 2003, Nick opened his own practice, Bevanda Architecture Inc., where he led many influential projects. The firm was honoured with several peer-judged awards, including the Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia Award in Architecture – Merit for Black Hills Estate Winery in Oliver, B.C. Nick then merged with CEI Architecture Planning Interiors, where he was partner and design-leader.
Throughout his career, Nick shared his architectural expertise in many ways – he was actively involved in his community, serving as a mentor and volunteering at several organizations. He sat on many committees at the Architectural Institute of B.C., the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, and various municipalities. He was also a speaker at the AIBC 2014 Annual Conference on “Imagining the Future” where he shared his experience working in architecture – including starting out in a small town – and his thoughts on future trends of the profession. In 2010, he was awarded a Special Certificate of Recognition for his contributions and volunteer efforts to the practice of architecture.
Nick was widely recognized for his outstanding achievement in the profession. In 2015, he was inducted as a Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada.
In describing his philosophy for design, Nick has been quoted as saying:
“Architecture is an art. All buildings are public, whether publicly or privately funded. They contribute to the overall quality and livability of our communities. Only through a responsive design process can we produce buildings that are beautiful, sustainable and representative of our time.”
2020 AIBC Professional Recognition Award Nominations Now Open
The nominations for the 2020 Professional Recognition Awards are now open. If you know of worthy individuals, duos or firms who have made outstanding contributions to the profession, community or Institute, we encourage you recognize them by submitting a nomination.
2020 nomination forms, as well as additional information about the program and nomination process, can be found on the AIBC website. If you have any questions, please contact Shawna Chilton, Manager of Human Resources and Administration at schilton@aibc.ca.
View photos from the 2019 Recognition Ceremony
Learn more about the AIBC Recognition Program