Annual Reports 2015 Algoma Society of Architects (ASA) Grand Valley Society of Architects (GVSA) Hamilton/Burlington Society of Architects (HBSA) London Society of Architects (LSA) Niagara Society of Architects (NSA) North Bay Society of Architects (NBSA) Northwestern Ontario Society of Architects (NWOSA) Northern Ontario Society of Architects (NOSA) Northumberland Durham Society of Architects (NDSA) Ottawa Region Society of Architects (ORSA) St. Lawrence Valley Society of Architects (SLVSA) Toronto Society of Architects (TSA) Trent Society of Architects (TRENT) Windsor Region Society of Architects (WRSA)
Annual Report 2015 1. GVSA 175-word Executive Summary This year s GVSA activities include: 1. Launch of our first published book Architects Talk: Interviews with Grand Valley Architects, highlighting interviews with Architects from our Region. This project received Special Funding from the OAA and was four years in the making. 2. OAA Special Funding for a joint KPL/GVSA Public Lecture Series on Architecture initiative, which helped bring Douglas Cardinal and Patricia Patkau to KW. 3. Joint-venture with Building Science Labs in Waterloo led by John Straube monthly discussions on building envelope, earning structured learning credits. 4. Joint-venture with the City of Kitchener Industry Workshop updates. 5. Tours of notable buildings recently constructed including the Kitchener Public Library by Levitt Goodman Architects. 6. The President s Visit in October, tied with a joint-venture with BRIDGE and the Design at Riverside Gallery in Cambridge at the UW School of Architecture. 7. ArtCOP21 event in collaboration with other events occurring simultaneously around the world to raise awareness of environmental issues. 8. Reconfiguration and re-launch of our own website. 9. Lunch and Learns
January 15, 2016 Hamilton Burlington Society of Architects 2015 Activity Report Chair Vice Chair Treasurer Secretary Secretary Graham McNally Cynthia Zahoruk Stephen Blood Chrissy Taylor Christina Karney HBSA notable initiatives and events in 2015: The HBSA ran Architecture Crawl on May 7 th during the Annual OAA conference held in Hamilton This ambitious initiative was attended by approximately 500 individuals, and had an operational budget of approximately $50,000.00 The HBSA were able to raise over $8,000.00 dollars from the Architecture Crawl which was donated to the Threshold School of Building, a non profit organization dedicated to practical and sustainable community development in the Hamilton area The HBSA in conjunction with the City of Hamilton organized Park(ing) Day, a form of tactical urbanism on September 18 th PARK(ing) Day is an annual open source global event where metered parking spaces are temporarily transformed into green public spaces. PARK(ing) day received a lot of local media coverage, and positive feedback from the community The HBSA participated in and sponsored the inaugural year of Canstruction Hamilton, the event was considered a success and all proceeds went to Hamilton Food Share The Annual Golf Tournament took place September 25 th, was well attended and very successful The event raised over $14,000.00, of which $7,000.00 was donated to Big Brothers and Sister of Halton and the other $7,000.00 was donated to St. Matthews House, a local charity that works towards eliminating poverty and alleviating the poverty experience. The HBSA hosted their annual year end celebration, the Winter Social on December 17 th, 2015. It was free for members and was paid for in full by the HBSA through sponsor support, and had approximately 50 attendees. Through our events and fundraising initiatives the HBSA has been able to contribute approximately $32,500.00 back to the community, local charities and additional initiative we as a society feel promote our profession in 2014 Membership and attendance remained consistent throughout 2015. We saw many returning members as well as new members and active participants. Monthly meetings average approximately 30 dedicated members, while special events usually draw as many as 40 to 100+ participants. The HBSA remains one of the most active societies in Ontario, we continue to engage the public and make our presence known throughout the numerous communities in Hamilton, Burlington and Milton. The Young Architects of Hamilton, a subsidiary group of the HBSA have also continued their growth and remain active and passionate about the profession, the city of Hamilton and their place within it.
The YAH was responsible for organizing the Stelco Tower location of the Architecture Crawl, participated in Hamilton s Inaugural year for Canstruction, PARK(ing) Day and numerous additional events Special Funding Updates: A total of $27,000 was approved to be allocated to the following projects: $11,000 for a presentation and subsequent panel discussion on the future of our cities by Joe Minicozzi and his team at Urban 3. $6,500 was allocated for a three part heritage lecture series. $9,500 to host a public design event regarding the redevelopment of the Hamilton Harbour Thus far $6,500 has been spent on the heritage lecture series that is called Heritage and the Ambitious City. Information about the three sessions is as follows: Heritage and the Ambitious City Session One Re imagining our Historic Industrial Sites with Joe Lobko, Principal, DTAH (Toronto) Demonstration: Window Restoration with Taylor Giberson, Giberson Restorations February 5,2016 The Spice Factory 4 6PM Drinks & Discussion to follow Session Two Reimagining our Historic Schools & Institutions with Gavin Affleck, Principal, Affleck de Riva (Montreal) Demonstration: heritage Masonry Infill & Repointing Demo, Ron Wilkovesky, Heritage Brick & Stone set March 4, 2016 Collective Arts Brewery 4 6PM Drinks & Discussion to follow Session Three Reimagining our Historic Places of Worship with Lee Parker, Executive Director, Neu Kirche Demonstration: Historic plasterwork with Jean Francois Furieri, Iconoplast April 1, 2016 Mills Hardware 4 6PM Drinks & Discussion to follow 2015 has been an especially busy year for the Hamilton Burlington Society of Architects and thus we have yet to organize both the session with Joe Minicozzi as well as the public Waterfront design event. We retain the funds given to us by the OAA from last year s special funding request and are planning on hosting the two events in the coming year. End of HBSA 2015 Activity Report. From: Graham McNally graham@toms-mcnally.ca Sent: January 15, 2016
The London Society of Architects Annual Report 2015 The London Society of Architects continued a program of initiatives and reinvigoration throughout 2015. LSA had identified two Province wide issues which seemed to have some traction with the Ontario Association. These two issues are the continuing state of the Planning Act and how the Site Plan Process has been instituted and regulated at the local level. The second area of concern is the continuing fallout from the Broader Public Service Procurement Initiative. These two issues not only continue to dominate discussions at our Society level, but also with our colleagues in other jurisdictions. There have been other issues which are local in nature and which the LSA and our constituents have identified for further work by the LSA. These are captured later in the report. Site Plan Approval Process: In 2014 the LSA Executive struck a committee to meet with the City of London to make the City aware of the problems that the current Site Plan Approval Process is creating within the architectural community. The Site Plan Approval Processes continue to be onerous and time consuming. Site Plan Approvals for the City of London still take longer and can be more complex than Building Permit applications. Some members continue to report simple Site Plan Applications running well over a year from Application through to final agreement. The committee met with representatives of the City of London on three previous occasions to initiate a dialogue and be assistive in providing any meaningful process changes to the Site Plan Application Process. Progress was being made towards a joint meeting between City Staff and the general Membership of the LSA, headed up by the committee and the Chief Administrative Officer for the City of London. Unfortunately, the CAO resigned from the City and recent administrative changes delayed that opportunity until this past year. In the interim, the Chairperson, by way of obligatory appointment to the City of London Development Liaison Committee was able to limited continue influence on this matter. As a result, the City has introduced an internal review, assessment, evaluation and very limited responsive change to the process. As a result the LSA made a presentation to the Development Liaison Committee with the new City CAO present. The CAO acknowledged the principles as set out in the presentation and promised to keep track of progress. Subsequently there has been periodic reports to the committee on Site Plan Initiatives. We have canvased the membership to confirm if there are meaningful changes to the process and received some evidence of meaningful change to Site Plan Approval practices. The membership continues to report that practices continue to vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction in areas where our members provide service.
The Ontario Government Procurement Policy and subsequent Request for Proposals. Our members continue to report that organizations using the new guidelines have introduced very onerous and punitive evaluation criteria when selecting professional services. The requirement for $5,000,000.00 professional liability insurance requirements, even on small projects where the project Construction Value is well under the $5,000,000.00 liability request. This practice seems to be used to eliminate small and medium sized practices from proposal opportunities. Selection based upon fees, mandatory LEED Certification for projects not intended to be LEED, disqualification if architect is in any litigation, and unreasonable past project experience have been widely reported as barriers to our members responding to RFPs. There has also been a creeping introduction of new procedures and contractual requirements which significantly alter the traditional CCDC procedures and requirements. There is still a lack of understanding of procurement of professional services by purchasing agents and frustrations continue with the wide variety of proposal requirements. Our members have also raised the various levels of government procurement models which are presenting even more onerous and one sided packages. The LSA is looking to the OAA to continue strong advocacy in simplifying or eliminating some of the governmental requirements. Public Procurement: The Executive of the LSA has acted as a conduit for members expressing issues with RFP s n the London area. Examples of RFP issues have been forwarded to the OAA/Prodemnity for comment. In some cases the OAA/Prodemnity response has been forwarded to the requesting organization and RFP changes were made. In spite of the hard work by OAA and Prodemnity staff, the response from the requesting agencies has been less than satisfactory. There continues to be problems with the current RFP scenarios. This was raised by the LSA Chairperson at the last AGM, and raised again at the last OAA road show. There is also a strong sentiment by local architects for the local client groups to procure local architects. This initiative will be investigated with the larger local client groups in the New Year. Continuing Education: The LSA members also requested Continuing Education programs be made available in the London Area. This was discussed with the OAA and staff at the OAA has responded in a positive manner to facilitate. This past year, John Hackett worked with the LSA to present an excellent Continuing Education session and provide an excellent segway into the LSA AGM after the session. The attendance was very good and we are looking forward to the OAA and LSA to continuing joint programs into the future. Special Project Funding: The LSA has not had any Special Project Funding in the past year. The Executive is reviewing ideas from the membership for community education initiatives and other community based opportunities. Gail Lamb Scholarship: Based upon a unanimous motion at the closing LSA-AGM in 2014, members voted to dedicate funds for an annual scholarship to be awarded to a graduating women from a Canadian architectural program. This initiative was discussed with the OAA with the intent of augmenting the scholarship amount from OAA special project funding and/or OAA direct funding. After discussions with the OAA, it was apparent
that more detail was required. Alison Hannay was designated as the point person for preparing documents, scholarship program description and continuing with the liaison with the OAA to bring the program into reality. That initiative is continuing with the intent to realize the scholarship program in 2016. Speakers Series: The Speakers Series continued in conjunction with Museum London to great success. The series include London Architects speaking on specific projects, a body of work, or local issues in architecture. The program also attracts and funds visiting architects to present as well. We have also presented documentary films on architecture and urban planning. The 2015 spring season featured Bruce Kuwabara (KPMB), David Stavros (B + H Architects) and John Christie (Parkin Architects). The Fall session featured two documentaries; Citizen architect by Samuel Mockbee, The London Dominion Public Building by Juan Bello and John Nicholson presented the work of Nicholson Sheffield Architects. Joint LSA and OAA Design Awards display: 2015 saw an organized and curated LSA exhibit of selected project by LSA members displayed alongside the OAA award winner Travelling Exhibit at Museum London. Comments received after the April 2 nd. Reception were very good. Many comments made spoke to the quality of design work of LSA members as being comparable to OAA award winning projects. Financial statements: Please find attached the 2014-2015 Balance Sheet and Profit and Loss sheet.
NWOSA had a strong turn-out of its 21 members this past year and once again a great turnout for the OAA President s Tour where we hosted a Luncheon with OAA President Toon Dreessen and Executive Director Kristi Doyle at the Bight Restaurant Mariners Hall on the Thunder Bay Waterfront. Our top priorities for 2015 were to advance a design sponsored by NWOSA for a local urban parkette and to complete a promotional video about architecture, what inspires us and the importance of architectural societies both possible because of our OAA Special Funding. The promotional film can be viewed from the NWOSA website and the urban parkette has been recommended by Thunder Bay s Clean green beautiful Committee to be considered for funding in support of the project. This year also brought about the end of the terms for both the Society Chair (Cory Stechyhsyn) and Secretary-Treasurer (Andy Puiatti). Both will continue to support the two members who have been newly nominated for their three-year term, Brad Green as Chair and Vikki Drapeau as Secretary-Treasurer. The local society continues to grow with its member s support and is increasing its regular meetings in 2016 from four to six, along with the yearly OAA Presidents Tour. Members are participating on local committees and continue to engage with local building and planning officials. The priorities for 2016 are to distribute the Promotional Film to local high schools, advance the Urban Parkette project and to develop subcommittees of the local chapter to focus on the maintenance of the website, communications, sponsorships and advocating the profession.
Held a meeting with the local Construction Association to discuss the Change Order process and an agreed method of determining sub-trade charge out rates for extras on construction change orders. A follow-up meeting is planned early in 2016. Provided a $500 sponsorship to the Janes Walk Thunder Bay and have agreed to continue this support in 2016 with thanks to OAA Special Funding in 2015. Provided our final $500 sponsorship for the Lakehead University Fine Arts Student Art Show. NWOSA members felt our dollars should be shifted to sponsorships more aligned with our mandate. Completed the NWOSA Promotional Film with thanks to OAA Special Funding in 2014 Completed the schematic design for an Urban Parkette and have a $6,000.00 sponsorship for a Public Art component with thanks to OAA Special Funding in 2015. A local paper, Thunder Bay Business, dedicates a section four issues per year to Design Local Build Local to showcase local architecture, engineering, construction and trades inspired by NWOSA s Design Local Build Local campaign. The local society in conjunction with the OAA and Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce, hosted the Architecture as Economic Driver forum with guest speakers OAA president Toon Dreessen, John Stephenson, Ahsanul Habib and Cory Stechyshyn speaking and participating in the round-table discussions. The OAA hosted a Pro-Demnity Seminar and OBC 5 and 6 Storey Wood Frame Construction Seminar in Thunder Bay this past year. Member Sean Serino has taken a seat on the Doors Open Thunder Bay Committee to represent NWOSA. Member Cory Stechyshyn will be participating in developing Site Plan Control guidelines for submittals as part of his seat on the Developers Liaison Committee with the City of Thunder Bay and continues to sit on the Clean Green Beautiful Committee for an eleventh year. Held four local society meetings in addition to the OAA Presidents Tour. Cory Stechyshyn, Chair from March 2011 to January 2016 passes the position on to Brad Green, for a 3-year term. Andy Puiatti, Treasurer from 2013 to January 2016 passes the position on to Vikki Drapeau for a 3- year term.
This year we saw the final release of a promotional film for NWOSA to showcase and advocate architecture. The film was open to any members wanting to participate and aimed to focus on the inspiration and dedication of architects who contribute to the built environment. Participating members were as follow; o o o o o o o o John Stephenson, B.Arch, OAA, MRAIC Cory Stechyshyn, OAA, MRAIC, NCARB, LEED AP Andy Puiatti, OAA Matthew Mills, Dipl. Arch. Tech, LEED AP Kim McKee, B.F.A., OAA, MRAIC Sean Serino, B.E.D., March, OAA, RAIC Ahsanul Habib, OAA, MRAIC Joanna Klein, B.I.D., M. Arch., OAA, MRAIC Although not all members participated, the intent was to keep the film generic and not showcase any one particular architect, firm or project. No firm names are identified and discussion is universal. The Urban Parkette project has inspired a large group of local enthusiasts to participate in several collaborative meetings and a design charrette to develop a vacant strip of city owned land adjacent a local live performance theatre, at a busy intersection and along one of the cities newly defined image routes into an active urban parkette. The project was well received by the Clean Green Beautiful Committee and has their support to move forward to detailed design, drawings and construction if approved by council and contingent on funding. With thanks to the OAA Special Funding our local society have been able to make a mark and raise awareness of the role of architecture in our local communities this past year. A reserve remains for 2016 to put toward a Public Art component of the Urban Parkette project and to continue to sponsor the Janes Walk Thunder Bay event. A detailed financial report is attached. Cory R. Stechyshyn, OAA Northwestern Ontario Society of Architects Past Chair President i4architecture (6-Feb-2016) Attachments: - 2015 Financial Report - Urban Parkette Site Concept Plan
NOSA I Northern Ontario Society of Architects 2015 Activities Report NOSA Chair: Amber Salach Number of Current Members: 34 Membership includes: Licensed Architects, Intern Architects, Student Associates and Retired Architects. 2015 has been a year of re-establishing and reconnecting NOSA and its members, garnering new relationships and increased participation amongst our own membership and within our community. Being a year of reorganization and reprioritization, 2015 was successful in our initiatives and we look forward to keeping up the momentum in 2016. Interest in NOSA has been growing amongst not only architecture students (Laurentian University School of Architecture), but also with LAL s professors and their participation has helped to create an encouraging link between NOSA and the new School of Architecture; its people and programs. Up Fest 2015 OAA Special Funding In mid-august, the Northern Ontario Society of Architects (NOSA) joined the festivities of Up Fest in Sudbury, Ontario. The three day long festival featured live music and interactive art installations, culminating in an all-night art crawl through the downtown core. NOSA s contribution was a large scale interactive installation titled The Garden of Unearthly Delights. Located in Le Crac, a narrow alleyway transformed into outdoor performance and arts space, The Garden of Unearthly Delights was comprised of a sequence of three rooms; Threshold, Hanging Garden and Spectator Knoll. Juxtaposed with the given natural setting of the urban garden, these rooms each housing a single manufactured and unearthly tree, aim to suggest a relationship between the real and the imagined. NOSA received $3000 from the OAA Special Funding for the supply of materials for the Up Fest installation. With this modest budget, we were able to stay on target, spending $2,968.48. NOSA is currently working with UP Fest again this year and is seeking OAA Special Project Funding to create another architectural installation for the cultural festival in August 2016.
Architecture Invigorates Sudbury s Downtown Core - Panel Discussion On Wednesday, September 9th the OAA in collaboration with the Sudbury Chamber of Commerce and NOSA hosted a presentation and panel discussion on the economic benefits of architecture and the built environment in Sudbury s Downtown. The intended audience was business leaders, city officials and design professionals; to talk about the impact of good design/architecture/planning from a business perspective. The event will took place on September 9th from 11:30 1:30 at Vale Living with Lakes Centre in Sudbury. Toon Dreessen, president of the OAA was in attendance to give remarks and participate. Other speakers included the Director of the Laurentian School of Architecture, the Director of Northern Research and Development and the Chair of the Downtown Sudbury BIA. Kate Bowman, an Intern Architect and member of NOSA gave a presentation on The Architecture of Sidewalks: How the architecture of streets can invigorate and influence public space. OAA Landmark Award As an initiative to foster discussion amongst NOSA, a group of members assembled a list of five landmark type buildings within the geographic region of NOSA. This list was distributed for member input and dialogue. After engaging the members of NOSA, it was decided that St. Mary s Ukrainian Church, located in Sudbury, ON would be submitted for the OAA Landmark Award. NOSA is excited and hopeful our submission is well received by the jurors, marking the first OAA Landmark Award in Northern Ontario. Laurentian School of Architecture Bursary In 2014, NOSA approved a motion to contribute towards the newly opened Laurentian School of Architecture. An agreement was signed with LU and NOSA provided a $9,000 that was put towards a student bursary fund. At our last NOSA meeting, it was decided that we would continue to contribute to this bursary, by providing LU an additional $500 per year moving forward. Continuing Education In 2015 NOSA organized and promoted a few continuing education seminars in Sudbury, where members came together as a group for these sessions at the Laurentian School of Architecture. Of particular interest, was the Pro-Demnity Loss Prevention Event in held on September 15 th. Monthly Meetings and Get Togethers Ongoing dialogue is important to keep up this new momentum within NOSA. A group of committed members get together once a month to work on our priorities, steps moving forward and most recently have worked on the Special Funding Applications. Our next endeavour is strategizing and prioritizing our goals for 2016, which include organizing a Winter/Spring Social, involvement in Cinefest (an annual film festival) and UpFest, promotion and establishing Lectures and Continuing Education Seminar and finally we are looking at the possibility of hosting a 2016 Doors Open event.
P.O. Box 56117 Ottawa, ON, K1R 7Z1, Canada T 613.799.1986 orsachair@gmail.com www.orsa.ca www.architecture-week.com ANNUAL REPORT 2015 2016 Executive Committee Roberto Campos Jessie Smith Jayant Gupta Alma Rahmani ORSA Board Members Graham Murfitt Darryl Hood Rob Hewitt Nicolas Valenzuela Chair Vice chair Treasurer Secretary Past Chair Registrar ORSA supporters Chief Architecture Week Chair OAA, & Carleton University Liaison Anthony Sproul OAA representative (outgoing) Gord Erskine OAA representative Toon Dreessen OAA President Lucie Fontain Carleton University Representative Contributors: Julie Charron, Renee Gratton, Madeleine Wylie, Richard Smith, Janine Debanne. The Ottawa Regional Society of Architects is a non profit volunteer organization and a Society of the OAA. It provides a forum for free discussion of professional matters, a focus in the community for activities involving architects and a centre for educational, community, and social activities of its members. ORSA acts as a point of contact between the general public and the architectural profession. ORSA is committed to presenting informed opinion on issues affecting architecture in the National Capital Region, as well as to increasing public awareness of the social importance of architectural design. We continue to strengthen our relationships with both the City of Ottawa with quarterly meetings that include discussion points on procurement, professional services, and other major City of Ottawa initiatives affecting the built environment. As well as with the general public on issues related to professional service, development policies and the promotion of our profession. We do this by sponsoring events, activities and tour which have included our annual Architecture Week Festival in October, the sponsoring of Carleton University s Forum Lecture Series, and other various public events where architecture as at a discourse.
February 22, 2016 2015 Annual Report to Council The membership continues to seek out avenues to fulfill our mandate for the promotion of architecture to the public in partnership with other initiatives. The society continued its funding, with Northumberland Durham, for the Societies of Architects Prize to the top design by a graduating Architectural Technology Diploma student at Loyalist College. The OAA President s Dinner was hosted at the Delta Waterfront Hotel in September, and had an attendance of more than 20 members. We continue to support the local Belleville Film Festival, sponsoring the screening of architecturally related films. A special lecture was sponsored by the Society this year entitled Sound Structures, which detailed the complementary development of music and architecture since the 18 th century. The SLVSA is in receipt of OAA special funding for the development of a website. A subcommittee has been struck, and negotiations are currently under way with the Carleton University Design Clinic for the design of the site for the dual purpose of supporting architecture students, and to support/strenghten a relationship between our Society and a local school of architecture. Using the website as a vehicle for refreshing the brand of the local society, a design competition for a new society logo was held. The winning concept was created by Gary Kembel, and an architecture technology student was engaged to turn the logo into a digitally scalable graphic. A number of lectures and workshops have been pursued as a response to the need for locally available continuing education. In previous years the society has met on an annual or biannual basis. This year, we have endeavoured to meet on the 2 nd Thursday of every month at different locations. While the meetings are often held with specific agenda items to discuss, the general
intention is to provide an informal means for members to discuss issues pertinent to local practice, and to provide the society with more information on how to support local architectural practice, as well as the dissemination of ideas on supporting architecture in the region. Respectfully, Scott Bailey, BA, OAA Chair, SLVSA Principal, Branch Architecture
TRENT SOCIETY OF ARCHITECTS Subject: Annual Report of the Trent Society of Architects 2015 Date: Monday, Feb 22 nd 2016 Items: 1.0 Society Overview: The Trent Society of Architects is a small society of approximately a dozen members. We encompass the areas of Lindsay, Peterborough and the Kawartha Lakes region. 2.0 Trent Society Members Activities: Mr. Gregg Gordon of Gregg Gordon Architect continues to work in the Honduras through our Grace United Church, in conjunction with Peterborough s Friends of Honduran Children. They have recently completed numerous houses, four schools and a small medical clinic. Mr. Ken Trevelyan of Trevelyan Architects is now semi-retired but continues as an assessor for the Broadly Experienced Foreign Trained Architects program which is run by the RAIC. He is currently involved in the interview and qualification process for a Thai Architect scheduled for this May 2016. Mr. Christopher Tworkowski of Christopher Z. Tworkowski Architect is involved in the construction of a three room school house in Cambodia with the BEL Rotary Club. Mr. Ron Awde of Awde Architecture & Planning is currently serving on the Development Committee and Legacy Council for the Kawartha Land Trust. The Trust works with landowners to develop Conservation Agreements and to accept donations to properties throughout the City of Kawartha Lakes and the County of Peterborough area. Mr. Scott Donovan has been actively promoting co-housing in Peterborough. 3.0 Society Activities: The Society hosted OAA President Toon Dreeseen s vist to the Northumberland Durham and Trent Societies in Peterborough last September 22 nd 2015. Sasa Radulovic & Johanna Hurme of 5468796 of Winnipeg dropped in for the event. Lunch and Learns were held in conjunction with Arriscraft ( thin masonry) and Real Stone ( stone masonry). Mr Royden Moran toured the Society in his recent private house project at 1127 Fairbiarn St. in Peterborough. Per: Matthew T. Harvey, B. Arch OAA, Trent Society Chair
February 3, 2015 2015 Annual Report The activities documented in this report are focused on our society s core goals of Community Outreach, Professional Development and Social Interaction. January 8, The society met to finalize list of candidates related to WRSA member participation on city of Windsor committees. As part of our group s strategic plan to engage the society more fully with issues affecting the community, many of our members stepped forward, applied and obtained volunteer positions on City of Windsor committees. These committees included, The Planning and Economic Standing Committee, The Committee of Adjustment, The Windsor Heritage Committee, The Windsor Bicycle Committee, The Windsor Essex County Environmental Committee, The Windsor Accessibility Advisory Committee, Housing Advisory Committee, January 21 & February 12, The WRSA membership met informally over dinner with several city of Windsor councillors to introduce the WRSA to council members and to continue building relationships with administration with the goal of becoming trusted advisors regarding city planning, design and procurement issues. Members met with councillors Payne, Sleiman, Marra, and Elliott. Efforts will continue in the future for follow up meetings with additional councillors and City of Windsor Mayor February 20, Members of the WRSA met to kickoff formal efforts regarding an international partnership between Windsor and Detroit for the 2016 Congress of the New Urbanism (CNU) in Detroit. Efforts and many meetings with the National CNU leadership and Michigan chapter of the CNU continued throughout 2015 and into 2016. March 9, The WRSA chair attended City of Windsor Planning, Heritage & Economic Development Standing Committee Meeting to voice support for the preservation of St Barnabas Church. A demolition permit was taken out for this important mid-century modern building and the WRSA membership were compelled to present WRSA s position to find a way to adaptively reuse this structure. Following the meeting the standing committee recommended to council to not allow the acceptance of the request for demolition. On May 4 the application for demolition was withdrawn. A new owner had agreed to maintain the structure and adaptively reuse the facility. March 26, WRSA member J. Hrovat, R. DiMaio, P. Driedger & A. Ashley attended the St Clair College Architectural Technology Advisory Committee meeting. The intention of the meeting between the college and members in the A/E community was to review the current Architectural Technology program and offer feedback regarding the program content. Page 1
April 23, WRSA membership meeting to update the group on various ongoing initiatives and facilitate open discussion. May 9, OAA appointed WRSA s Secretary Mr. Kenneth Action, an Honorary Member of the OAA. Unanimous support from the OAA membership was received. June 3, WRSA members J. Hrovat, S. Vilardi, D, Amicone, E. Kalmantis, & D. Azar attended the St Clair College Architectural Technology Occupational Relevancy Review Panel for external review of the Architectural Technology Programs curriculum. The intention of meeting was to review the current Architectural Technology curriculum on the basis of occupational relevancy. June 25, WRSA membership meeting to update the group on various ongoing initiatives and facilitate open discussion. New business focused on ongoing CNU 2016 efforts, Doors Open 2016 sponsorship and an initiative for rebranding the SCSA. Regarding rebranding Over time it had been noted that an ongoing unintentional association between St Clair Society of Architects and St. Clair College in Windsor was perceived by the general public. The society supported rebranding to strengthen the groups identity in conjunction with establishing an online presence in 2015-2016. July 8, John C.A. Hackett OAA, FRAIC presented a Prodemnity Continuing Education Session (3 hrs structured learning). The focus of the session was Back to the Basics A Review of the Pro-Demnity Insurance Program; and Elliot Lake Mall Inquiry. August 5, The Windsor Construction Association invited the WRSA members to attend a joint meeting with City of Windsor Planning and Building Department leadership. Topics of discussion included review of the Corporate Leader Summary: Restructuring Plan and the Procurement Process. August 19, OAA Presidents Annual Visit was held in Windsor. OAA President Toon Dreesen along with local Councillors and Executive Director Kristi Doyle visited to talk with the membership about key Council priorities and initiatives as well as OAA/Society discussion points, RFP s, IO and Pro-Demnity. August 26, The WRSA sent a letter to the City of Windsor Executive Director/City Planner Planning and Building Services Department to facilitate support for the CNU in 2016. The WRSA letter invited the City of Windsor to collaborate with the WRSA and CNU in making this conference one with an international focus showcasing both Windsor and Detroit. Initial informal feedback was positive however formal City of Windsor Council support has not yet been received at the time of this report. September 17, The application to the OAA to rebrand the society formerly known as the St. Clair Society of Architects (SCSA) to be the Windsor Region Society of Architects (WRSA) was formally approved. Page 2
September 30, Marvin Windows Lunch & Learn October 14, WRSA s John Hrovat (society chair) and Dr. Veronika. Mogyorody along with remarks by OAA President T. Dreesen participated in the OAA sponsored presentation to the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce regarding Architecture as an Economic Driver. The intention of the panel discussion was to explore the relationship between architecture and commerce. October 28, The Windsor chapter of ASHRAE invited the WRSA executive to help select 3 possible topics for discussion. WRSA members attended the ASHRAE presentation by distinguished lecturer Mr. Daniel H. Nall, P.E. focusing on the selected topic, Innovative Systems for Energy and Water Conservation: Four Corporate Headquarters. October 29, The Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association DWBIA sponsored a public Town Hall meeting to seek further information on the future of Hotel-Dieu Grace Hospital, and how plans for repurposing the hospital will affect business and residents on the Ouellette corridor and the region. WRSA members attended and engaged the panel with questions primarily pertaining to planning, environmental and economic issues. The WRSA chair invited the Windsor Regional Hospital (WRH) panel to make use of the local contingent of architects in a dialogue in making this the best possible facility moving forward. The panel was open to this invitation and reciprocated by inviting the WRSA to contact the WRH steering committee for further involvement. November 4-8. WRSA once again was a major sponsor and participant in the Windsor International Film Festival (WIFF). This year the WRSA was the venue sponsor namely, the historic Capital Theatre designed by Thomas White Lamb. Four films focused on architecture and design were sponsored by the society. The films were Barbicania, Station to Station, Al Purdy Was Here and A Lego Brickumentary. The society took the opportunity to speak to the importance of architecture on multiple levels prior to beginning of three of the four screenings in addition to doing a video interview posted on the WIFF website. Attendance was strong at all films sponsored by the WRSA. In addition to the films the society also hosted a private party for guests and members, 30 complimentary tickets for members and guests of the society and a private reception with the director of Al Purdy Was Here and society members. November 25, Final WRSA membership meeting of 2015 to update the group on various ongoing initiatives followed by the CNU Windsor committee meeting. December 8, The WRSA sadly learned of the passing of Windsor Architect, Douglas C. Johnson, founding partner of Johnson & McWhinnie Architects and Archon Architects Incorporated. Mr. Johnson also served as OAA President in 1965. Page 3
December 18, WRSA sent a letter to Windsor City Council supporting additional funds generated from increased permitting fees be used to hire personnel who will be trained to be plan examiners, to begin to ease the backlog of building permits which has been affecting the timely processing of the permits beyond industry standards. The society went further by recommending that the department should consider hiring an architect as one of the new personnel, since architects are generally more involved with code review as it relates to building design. December, The CNU efforts continued into December and at the time of this report in preparation for the June 2016 conference. To date the program for the Windsor component of the CNU 2016 is comprised of: Thursday of the Conference Walkerville / Ford City bike tour planned with a classroom lecture at Willistead in the morning SHAWN MICALLEF of spacing magazine speaking later in the afternoon at the Cleary and Kunstler guest speaker in the evening. Saturday of the Conference Riverside Drive road diet tactical urbanism demonstration. o Currently in discussion with the downtown farmers market and few others to program the road diet space on riverside at the corner of Riverside and Ouellette. Bike tour of the Windsor riverfront and Sandwich Towne. Prepared by John Hrovat, OAA, AIA, NCARB LEED AP, BD+C St. Clair Society of Architects, Chairperson Page 4