AIBC 100

• The AIBC Future of Architecture Task Force was created in July 2019 with the mandate to support the development of a national architectural policy led by the Canadian Architectural Licensing Authorities. The national initiative, called Rise for Architecture, is organized into four broad themes which form the structure for the discussion of architecture in Canada: Place, People, Prosperity, and Potential. Learn more about the initiative here.

• Supporting the next generation! The AIBC provides a selection of scholarships and bursaries for individuals pursuing a career as an architect or architectural technologists. Recently, the Institute expanded the program with the creation of a new scholarship and two new bursaries, as well as provided additional funding to support existing scholarships. In total, there is more than $30,000 available annually.
  
  AIBC President Ian R. McDonald Architect AIBC and UBC SALA Associate Professor John Bass Architect AIBC congratulate 2018 AIBC Medal recipient Sébastien Roy.

• Over the past few years, there has been an increase in the number of women registered as architects in the province, leading to more balanced gender representation in the profession. This is particularly evident in the under 40 category, and amongst new registrants. Women represent nearly a third of newly registered architects with the AIBC. In addition, more than 40 percent of those seeking registration in British Columbia through the Internship in Architecture Program are women. These increases over the years indicate a positive trend for the profession.

• The AIBC 2019-2023 Strategic Plan was published in February 2019, setting the Institute’s strategic priorities and direction for the next five years. Regulating the profession of architecture in the interest of the public underpins the entire plan, ensuring that all strategies and initiatives support this practice. Learn more about what the next five years hold for the Institute here.

• A Victoria architectural bike tour, organized by the AIBC and Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition, was offered on Sunday, July 11, 2010. The tour cost $5 and departed from Centennial Square.
• The Broadly Experienced Foreign Architect (BEFA) Program was launched on September 21, 2012, for all 11 provincial and territorial architectural licensing authorities in Canada. BEFA was developed and piloted at the AIBC.
• Under the 2014–2018 Bylaw Review Workplan, 7 bylaw initiatives were undertaken, 100% passed member vote, and 126 bylaws were amended.
• From 2015 Member’s Motion to 2017 Bylaws, Mandatory Professional Liability Insurance came into effect for all Certificate of Practice Holders on February 1, 2019.
• On October 26, 2019, the AIBC signed the CALA-ACE Mutual Recognition Agreement between Canada and the Europion Union. Today, Architects AIBC can take advantage of reciprocity agreements with all Canadian provinces, multiple jurisdictions in the United States, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand and soon with the EU.
  
• In an effort to increase the walkability and charm of Downtown Vancouver, the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association has spearheaded many projects aimed at converting underutilized space into appealing public space. Examples include Alley Oop, the conversion of a service alley into a brightly-coloured, pedestrian-friendly alley, and Hornby Plaza, a former parking lot turned into a public park.
• On May 6, 2019, the AIBC’s 100th Annual Meeting took place, kicking off the Institute’s centenary year.
  

• The newsletter goes digital! In 2001, there was the “introduction of a new bi-weekly electronic bulletin direct to members’ desktops, called eNews” (excerpt from 2001 Annual Meeting Booklet).
  
• The AIBC’s Continuing Education System (CES) was introduced in 2001 in response to the profession’s recognition of its own needs and the public’s increasing expectation that architects remain current with contemporary technology, business practices, methods and materials. There was 82% compliance for the first mandatory CES reporting period.
• The AIBC Conference was expanded in 2002 to include three days of professional development.
• Chinatown’s Millenium Gate formally opened in 2002. Designed by architect Joe Wai, the inscriptions on its Eastern and Western face read: “Remember the past and look forward to the future” and “Chinatown Millenium Gate”.
  
• A Tri-National Agreement was signed between the United States, Canada and Mexico in 2005 to facilitate the mutual recognition of licensure credentials among all three countries. Learn more about professional mobility.
• In 2005, the AIBC’s Architectural Walking Tour Program included a new tour in Nelson, B.C. Currently, the program runs in the summer months, and includes tours of 6 neighbourhoods in Vancouver and three in Victoria.
  

  Photo Credit: Don Weixl

• The Vancouver Public Library was built in 1995. A time capsule, which will be opened on the library’s 45th anniversary in 2040, was embedded between levels two and three.
• The AIBC website was overhauled in 1998 to become easier to navigate.
• Designed by Alfred Arthur Cox, and built in 1911, the Edgett Building has been home to the AIBC offices since 1998. Its previous occupants included the ‘Store of Plenty’ grocery store and the Province newspaper.
  
• In 1999, AIBC Council developed and implemented the Policy Governance Model, which recognized separate, distinct roles and responsibilities for council and staff.
• To enhance continuing education opportunities for AIBC registrants, the Professional Development Board formed partnerships with several post-secondary institutions, including the University of Victoria, the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University.
• 12 exhibits were featured at the AIBC Gallery in 1999.
• Throughout the 1990s, the AIBC published an annual “Directory of Firms”. Now, the public can search for AIBC registered firms, architects, associates and temporary licensees on the Institute’s Online Directory.
  

• In 1980, there are 1,135 registrants on the AIBC Register. 811 of them are architects, and 165 are “Architects-in-Training”.
  
• The childhood home of Canadian artist Emily Carr became heritage-designated in 1980. The building was constructed in 1864, and the Carr family occupied the house for over 70 years.
• In 1982, the Association of Professional Engineers of B.C. signed an agreement with the AIBC. The agreement set the guidelines for a future working relationship between architects and engineers in British Columbia.
• BC Business publishes a special edition on “Architecture in B.C.” in April 1983. One of the feature articles is titled “First Draft”, and is about how “computer systems are expensive and nobody’s really happy with them. For computer-assisted architectural design… it’s still purely first draft.”
• In 1986, Vancouver’s new convention center, Canada Place, opens as Canada’s Pavilion for Expo 86. The structure was re-built and designed to resemble a ship with five large sails, echoing Vancouver’s status as the busiest port in Canada, and its function as a cruise ship terminal.
  

  Photo: City of Vancouver Archives 1435-578

• The AIBC published its first colour newsletter in January 1972 – just three years after the debut of the first version in 1969. One of the articles in the 1972 edition was titled “The Future of the Profession”, and spoke about the importance of registrant engagement, including how “Our future is now in our hands!”.
  

•  Harbour Centre (then also referred to as the Sears Tower), was built in 1977. At the time of completion, it was the tallest building in Vancouver.
  

• In the 1970s, individuals could visit the AIBC booth to get information first-hand from architects: “Consult planning experts before home remodelling.” Today, the AIBC still offers practice advice as a service to the public to help in determining when an architect is required, as well as to provide guidance on selecting and working effectively with architects.

• In 1971, the provincial government declared Vancouver’s Gastown and Chinatown historic areas, in order to more effectively protect their heritage buildings.
  
  Photo: Rose Penzari, Vancouver Public Library 48694A

• The AIBC publishes its first monthly newsletter in April of 1969: “This is the first in the new series of monthly “newsletters” which is being sent to all members of the AIBC.” The AIBC’s newsletter is still distributed today. Although the look and layout is very different compared to the original version, it’s purpose is still to provide information on Institute happenings, regulatory updates and industry news.
          

• In 1965, construction begins on the first tower of Downtown Vancouver’s Bentall Centre office complex.

• Murray Polson, FRAIC, becomes the new executive director of the Architectural Institute of British Columbia.

• Project 200, a multi-million dollar waterfront redevelopment program is introduced to the Vancouver City Council in 1966. Among other things, it included replacing most of Gastown’s oldest buildings (including Waterfront Station) with modernist concrete office towers and retail space, along with the construction of a freeway on Vancouver’s waterfront and parking lots to accommodate the predicted increase in traffic.

•  1960 photo of Kelowna City Hall:
  
  (Kelowna City Hall, Flickr)

• In 1955, The Architectural Profession Act, as the legislation is known until 1979, is substantially amended from 1920s-era law. A revamped disciplinary process and extensive ‘exemptions’ section (now Section 60) are introduced. To this day, this is the most substantial change to the Act since its introduction.
  

• The University of British Columbia reorganized the Department of Architecture into the School of Architecture in 1950.

• 19,000 neon signs illuminated the streets of Vancouver in 1953, with one per 18 residents at the time – estimated to be second only to Las Vegas! Today, there are only a fraction of the signs from this era remaining. (Sun Tower, Dominion Photo Co., Vancouver Public Library 27181)
  

• The Vancouver Main Post Office (349 W Georgia Street) was completed in 1958, replacing the original post office building on the corner of West Hastings and Granville Street. At the time, it was the largest welded steel structure in the world. Situated on an entire city block, the historic five-storey landmark is an example of modernist architecture.
  (Vancouver Main Post Office, Flickr)

• The Architectural Institute of British Columbia Handbook was published in 1941. The book consisted of the regulations for the practice of the profession of architecture in B.C., including bylaws, the conditions of engagement, the list of registered architects authorized to practice, and even recommended textbooks for students.

• In 1942, 57 architects were registered with the Architectural Institute of British Columbia, with 9 listed on active military duty.
  

• The University of British Columbia established the Department of Architecture in the Faculty of Applied Science in 1946 – it was later reorganized into the School of Architecture.

• Koo’s Garage in Vancouver’s Strathcona neighbourhood is completed in 1947. Eventually the long-established garage was transformed into 2 loft style residential units, with portions of the building still being from the original structure.

• In 1949, the second Hotel Vancouver was demolished. During the Second World War, the building was used as a barracks (Photo Credit: Philip Timms photo, Vancouver Public Library 18631).
  

• Vancouver’s iconic Art Deco skyscraper, the Marine Building, is built in 1930. At the time, the 22 story building was the tallest in the British Empire. As part of the design process, it’s said that the architects imagined New York’s famous Art Deco Chrysler Building sunken underwater and then risen out of the ocean’s waters after years of being clad with marine life.

• In 1933, Sylvia Grace Holland becomes the first woman to be a registered Architect AIBC. She graduated from the Architectural Association in London in 1924, and joined the Royal Institute of British Architects. After several years working in England, Sylvia and her husband, Frank Holland (a fellow architect), moved to his hometown of Victoria, B.C. Here, they established the architectural partnership of Holland & Holland. Following her architectural career, Holland continued to use her artistic ability and became one of the first women story artists at Walt Disney, working on critically acclaimed films such as Fantasia and Bambi. Learn more about Sylvia Grace Holland’s story.

• Construction of the third Hotel Vancouver finishes in 1939. It took eleven years to complete, and is one of the last buildings in British Columbia to feature stone carvings.

• AIBC Council presented the Honourable E. W. Hamber, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, with a life-membership to the Architectural Institute of British Columbia.

• View of Vancouver Harbour featuring the Marine Building, taken from Hotel Vancouver in 1931 (Photo Credit: City of Vancouver Archives (CVA 371-1157) Photographer: Joseph Frederick Spalding):

• A newspaper article is published, titled “Recognition is Architects’ Aim.” The story outlined the intention of local architects to establish the status of the profession as a means of “safegaurding the public from misrepresentation.” The article states how “the granting of a certificate to an architect would mean that [they are] properly qualified to undertake work in which, it is pointed out, not only the lives of the [people] engaged in the work are sometimes at stake, but also the safety of the public during the life of the building are safeguarded.”

• 

  Bill 51, which concerned the regulation of architects, was passed after considerable debate, and with some amendments. The profession of architecture was now officially regulated after thirty-three years of debate.

• The provincial government appointed the first AIBC Council, which included Professor E.G. Matheson, CE, of the University of British Columbia; Percy Fox; C.E. Watkins; R.P.S. Twizell and Andrew Lamb Mercer. Their first meeting was held on June 10, 1920. Andrew Lamb Mercer was elected as the AIBC’s President.

• On July 14, 1920, an official seal for the Architectural Institute of British Columbia was chosen.

• The first AIBC Annual Dinner took place at the Hotel Vancouver, and included a toast to the King, a banjo solo, and a special menu featuring Oysters, which were “to be properly supported on fifty per cent of the shell.”

• On December 4, 1920, the first AIBC Annual Meeting was held – it took place in the Board of Trade Room on the corner of Pender and Homer Street.

• In 1924, the Victory Square Cenotaph was constructed, with 3-sides to match the triangular shape of the park itself. (Photo Credit: Frank, Leonard, VPL Historical Photographs)
  

• A photograph of Vancouver’s Waterfront from 1929 (Photo credit: City of Vancouver Archives):

  

The Path to Regulation – Part II
1907

• A letter was sent to 500 architects in April 1907, which invited them to join a proposed Institute of Architects of Canada.

1908

• In October of 1908, the first general annual assembly of the Architectural Institute of Canada was held.
• In May of the following year, this new national group joined forces with the Royal Institute of British Architects to become the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC).

1909

• During this time of economic boom, it was estimated that up to 300 people in the province claimed to be “architects.”
• With renewed interest at the national level and amid concerns over misrepresentation, two parallel groups were formed; the British Columbia Society of Architects, and the Architects Association of Victoria.

1912

• On March 23, 1912, the Architects Association of Victoria voted to become the Victoria Chapter of the British Columbia Society of Architects.

1913

• In 1913, the British Columbia Society of Architects had a total of 189 members, though nearly half would not become registered under the Architects Act several years later.
• Several architects felt the Society was not serving in member’s or the public’s best interest, and formed a new group called the Architectural Institute of British Columbia.

1914

• The Architectural Institute of British Columbia is incorporated under the Benevolent Societies Act on June 10, 1914.
• The Architectural Institute of British Columbia holds its first general meeting as a society on June 25, 1914.
• WWI – known as the Great War – breaks out, July 28, 1914.

1918

• There are several competing architectural entities in British Columbia, but after World War I only the Architectural Institute of British Columbia remained.

The Path to Regulation – Part I

1885

• The transcontinental railway is completed in 1885. Several architects, mostly of English and Scottish descent, settle in B.C.

1891

• The 1891 B.C. Directory listed 25 architects.
• The Provincial Architects’ Meeting was held on June 29, 1891. At this meeting, the British Columbia Association of Architects was formed.
  

1892

• The British Columbia Association of Architects changes its name to the British Columbia Institute of Architects, which is incorporated in 1892.
• There is major growth in the economy and architectural field, with a total of 46 architects listed in the 1892 B.C.
  Directory, almost double the previous year.
• The British Columbia Institute of Architects adopted their first Professional Practice and Charges of Architects on
  May 8, 1892.
• In the spring of 1892, a registration bill was submitted to the provincial government, but it was defeated on the third reading.

1893

• In February 1893, the British Columbia Institute of Architects introduced another bill that would have required architects to register with the Institute, but it was also defeated.
• The third Annual General Meeting was held on December 2, 1893.With no new members, the Institute ceased their attempts for provincial registration and turned their efforts to their own practices.

The Path to Regulation – Parts I and II are compiled with information from Taming the West: The Thirty-Year Struggle to Regulate the Architectural Profession in British Columbia. Donald Luxton, Vancouver. Published in the Journal of the Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada, April 23, 1998.