The Fall Professional Development Series is back! The series will feature a variety of topics that are highly relevant to today’s architectural practice, including designing a successful architecture firm, facades for tall wood buildings, and the latest in elevator code changes.
Up to 6 Core LUs are available for CES Participants who attend all four sessions. With less than a year left until the next CES reporting period deadline (June 30, 2022), this is an efficient and convenient way to earn LUs.
Register Today!
The series will begin on Wednesday, October 20, 2021, and will be hosted online via Zoom. Each session will be 90 minutes in length and will take place from 12:30 – 2 p.m. on the scheduled dates. Information about each session, including a full session description and speaker bios, can be found below:
- Design Your Business – Position & Measure | October 20, 2021
The design professions are facing a challenge: there is a loss of influence during a time when our cities and planet need us most. Individual practices are the key, but only if they can balance the practice of architecture with the business. Architectural firms tend to focus heavily on the practice of design versus the design of practice. It may seem counterintuitive, but if we want to increase our influence on the built environment, we must shift more of our focus to the business aspects of practice. This session will explore three positioning typologies and then introduce seven key financial metrics. Participants will walk away from this session understanding what effective positioning looks like, and gain the skills to start measuring and benchmarking their own overall business performance.
Presenter: Rick Linley M.Arch., FRAIC, LEED AP
Rick leads Strong Practice Strategies, a business consultancy focused on coaching leaders of evolving and emerging design firms to strengthen their practices. His work is informed by over 30 years with Smith Carter Architects and Engineers culminating in his role as COO of that 200-person firm when he retired in 2013. Rick taught professional practice in the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Manitoba for 10 years and is a frequent speaker at professional association continuing education events.
Register by October 18
- Design Your Business – Keep Score & Align | October 27, 2021
This session will start with a brief recap of the first session (Position & Measure). A scoreboard model will be presented to keep the seven metrics top-of-mind as you lead your practice. Once positioning is underway, the focus shifts to aligning the operating system with that positioning. A hypothetical case study will be used to illustrate how positioning, metrics, and alignment are interconnected and fundamental to the design of your business.
Presenter: Rick Linley M.Arch., FRAIC, LEED AP
Rick leads Strong Practice Strategies, a business consultancy focused on coaching leaders of evolving and emerging design firms to strengthen their practices. His work is informed by over 30 years with Smith Carter Architects and Engineers culminating in his role as COO of that 200-person firm when he retired in 2013. Rick taught professional practice in the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Manitoba for 10 years and is a frequent speaker at professional association continuing education events.
Register by October 25
- Prefabricated Façade Systems: Taller Wood Buildings, Lower Carbon | November 18 , 2021
Prefabricated façade systems for larger and taller wood buildings are on the cutting edge of low-carbon, low-energy design. How have these systems evolved and what opportunities do they present? This presentation will share insights from early and recently completed buildings, research and prototyping work, and façade systems currently under design. Attendees will learn how prefabricated mass timber facades—today and in the future—can achieve carbon and energy goals while meeting stringent fire and durability requirements.
Presenter: Graham Finch MASc, P.Eng., Principal, Senior Building Science Specialist, RDH Building Science
Graham Finch is a building science engineer who specializes in enclosure design, risk management, research, and investigation work for new and existing buildings. Graham also works with building product manufacturers and other clients on product research and development, and the creation of various industry guidelines and training initiatives. Graham is directly involved with the majority of RDH’s mass timber and high-rise wood building projects and instrumental in leading related industry research, risk management, and façade development. As a result of this experience, he is regularly invited by various organizations and clients to speak to the practical and technical issues of mass timber façade design and construction.
Register by November 15 - Elevator and Escalator B44-16 Code Changes and Professional Practice Guidelines | November 24, 2021
This session will discuss the adoption of the B44-16 elevating safety code in British Columbia and review the changes relevant to architects that took place from the B44-07 to B44-16. The conflicts between the B44 Code and the Building Code, as well as the most common challenges faced during construction will be reviewed. Included in this presentation is a briefing on the new maintenance control program (MCP). A review of the Professional Practice Guidelines – Professional Responsibilities for the Design and Installation of Elevating Devices in New Buildings will also be presented.
Presenters: Sam Hamze QEI and Eric Peterson P.Eng., QEI
Sam joined GUNN Consultants in 2016, bringing with him extensive vertical transportation equipment and code knowledge. He is a Certified Elevator Inspector, and spent the last decade working as a Safety Officer for a local regulatory organization providing oversight of all elevating equipment. Sam is also a codes specialist, and is a member of the A17/B44 Code Inspection Committee which regulates all North American elevator codes. Sam began his career in the elevator industry after graduating a Masters degree in Electrical Systems and Networks and Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering.
Eric has been owner of GUNN Consultants since 2004 and has been with the firm since 1998. He is the President and CEO of GUNN and is responsible for all aspects of the daily operations of the business, including business development, education and training, inspections, design and construction oversight, bid review and recommendation, drawing review, and contract negotiation. After graduating from Lakehead University in 1994, Eric began working in the engineering consulting industry. His consulting experience has included project management, cost estimating, mechanical system engineering, and design supervision. Eric’s experience with elevators started with his position as an elevator installer at Dover Elevator Co. in 1991. Register by November 22