On October 4, 2021 —recognized as World Architecture Day — the inaugural RAIC Congress on Architecture will address Climate Action and Architecture in Canada. Over the next year, the RAIC will host a series of events leading into the 2021 Congress on Architecture and the development of a Climate Action Plan.

The first in the series is the Taking Action: A conversation on climate action and architecture in Canada—a virtual event taking place on October 5, 2020, that brings together four experts to discuss Climate Action and Architecture in Canada.

A discussion and Q&A session will follow the presentations.

Topics that will be explored on October 5, 2020 include:
- Facing the Facts / The Context
- Challenges and Opportunities
- Towards the Future: Solutions
- Implementation and Application

Taking Action event date: October 5, 2020 (World Architecture Day 2020)

Taking Action event time: 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET

The RAIC 2020 Industry Knowledge Hub (a.k.a The Hub) is a month-long learning opportunity where architects can gain knowledge on products, learn about cutting-edge ideas, and earn continuing education credits. Leading industry companies will provide innovative and educational information sessions to architects through the RAIC’s digital Learning Management System.

The Hub will be available through an on-demand format that participants can access from November 2 to November 30, 2020. There will also be additional opportunities to engage with other participants and the instructors through discussion boards and Q&A periods. 

Certificates of completion will be offered by select companies. 

Stay tuned for when registration opens! 

The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) is excited to announce the launch of a new online engagement platform named RAIC Connects on World Architecture Day—October 5, 2020.

RAIC Connects is a virtual community where members can share ideas, discuss practice challenges, post questions, read and share blog posts and news articles, learn about fellow RAIC members, and benefit from shared knowledge, resources and information.

The RAIC strives to establish a strong community for the built environment with RAIC Connects and promote growth, learning, and opportunity for its members.

Stay tuned for more information!

The RAIC International Indigenous Architecture and Design Symposium is inviting abstract submissions for the 2021 edition titled REDefining the Margins, for consideration for sessions and poster presentations. 
 
The Symposium will take place on June 5, 2021, as part of the RAIC 2021 Conference on Architecture at the Hotel Bonaventure Montreal.  
 
The Symposium focuses on Indigenous representation, narratives, and collaborations—and the 2021 edition is centered on the following topics: 
 
• First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Housing/International Indigenous Housing  
• Making Room for New Indigenous Voices on the Leading Edge of Architecture Practice   
• Collaborations: Indigenous/Non-Indigenous Co-Design and Building with First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Communities  
 
Abstract submissions are invited on the above topics for consideration. A full list of details and eligibility requirements for abstract submissions can be found here.  
 
Submission Deadline: October 21, 2020 at 8:00 p.m. ET 
 
Learn more about the 2017 inaugural edition of Symposium here. 

The RAIC and the Canadian Urban Institute are highlighting responsible, sustainable, and resilient design solutions that can be implemented during COVID-19 recovery, and post-pandemic, for Canada’s hard-hit main streets.

Submissions are accepted until September 18, 2020 and all submissions that meet the project guidelines will be published online on a rolling basis in the free, open-access Main Street Design Playbook to inspire action by any organization, municipality, or individual. The full playbook will be released in full on October 5, 2020 (World Architecture Day) .

Design solutions that have met the challenge criteria so far have been published and are available for view here.

Please join us in welcoming Ivan Martinovic, Dipl. Eng. Arch., OAA, FRAIC, AIA/IA to the RAIC operational team as the incoming Director of Syllabus, effective September 10, 2020, and reporting to the Vice President of Corporate Affairs.

Ivan is an architect with over thirty-five years of experience. He holds a professional architectural engineering degree from the University of Belgrade, former Yugoslavia. He has extensive experience in a variety of building projects throughout Canada and abroad. Ivan worked with several medium and large architectural practices before establishing his own Toronto-based practice in 2001.

Ivan is actively involved as a volunteer in various professional and community organizations at provincial and national levels. He has been a Committee member of several OAA Committees over the last twenty years. He was a Board member of the Canadian Architecture Certification Board for two terms, holding positions of Treasurer, Vice-President and President. Ivan received the G. Randy Roberts Service Award from the Ontario Association of Architects in 2012 and was named a Fellow in the College of Fellows of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada in 2013.

Ivan is currently a sessional instructor in the Department of Architectural Science of Ryerson University and an instructor in the School of Continuing Studies of the University of Toronto.
Ivan's involvement with the RAIC Syllabus program began in 1999 as a mentor in the Toronto Design Studio. Over the next two decades he also acted as a national Design Theory Course examiner and the Ontario Provincial Coordinator. He is looking forward to contributing further to the program in his new role as Director of the RAIC Syllabus program.

There will be a period of transition with the incoming and outgoing Director of the program, Don Ardiel, with a full transition to the role as of October 1, 2020. You can reach Ivan at syllabusdirector@raic.org.

As the creative and analytical minds who design people-centred buildings and public spaces, architects are in a unique position to impact the future of the built environment, shaping the experiences of all who access those spaces.

On September 8, the Rick Hansen Foundation (RHF) opened Round 2 in the Call for Applications for complimentary RHF Accessibility Certification (RHFAC) ratings in 15 municipalities across Ontario — offering an opportunity to obtain a snapshot of a building or site drawings level of meaningful accessibility. With nearly a quarter of Canadians identifying as having a disability, it is critical the built environment meets the needs of all users. Having your building rated for accessibility and addressing any gaps now can help avoid costly retrofits in the near future. We invite you to submit an application for consideration.

“The RHFAC rating provides a terrific resource for design teams to ensure that their work reflects the needs for the whole community,” says Darryl Condon, Managing Principal Architect, HCMA Architecture and Design.

RHFAC rates the level of meaningful access of the built environment, keeping in mind user experience of people with varying disabilities affecting their mobility, vision and hearing. To date, more than 1,300 sites across Canada have been rated through the program.

Applications can be submitted online until November 30, 2020 and successful applicants will be notified in early 2021.

To learn more and apply for a complimentary rating, click here.

On behalf of the College of Fellows National Committee, the RAIC is seeking Regional Chairs for the College of Fellows. These are volunteer positions and applicants are welcome to apply for the following regions: 

Commencing October 1, 2020 

Alberta/Northwest Territories 

Quebec 

Commencing December 1, 2020 

British Columbia/Yukon 

Victoria 

Eligible applicants must be members in good standing of the College of Fellows and must be a resident in the region of interest. 

As per the current College of Fellows Rules and Regulations, the Regional Chair will assist the Officers of the College by receiving nominations, by initiating committee work when requested, and by liaising with the RAIC’s Regional Director and local organizations on matters of mutually beneficial interest. 

The duration of the Regional Chair's appointment will be at the pleasure of the Chancellor, with a maximum term of three years. 

If you are interested in volunteering in this capacity, please email a letter of interest to Chantal Charbonneau, Director, Honours and Awards/College of Fellows Coordinator at ccharbonneau@raic.org before September 30th, 2020. 

The current Rules and Regulations for the College of Fellows are available upon request. 

Nominate your colleagues and peers for Fellowship in the RAIC. Fellowship is bestowed in recognition of achievements in architecture based on design excellence—represented by past awards, outstanding scholarly contributions, research, publications, and education, or distinguished service to the profession or the community. 
 
The deadline for nominations is October 30, 2020. 

Join Interior Designers of Canada (IDC) virtually on Wednesday, September 23 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET to celebrate this year’s Value of Design Award winners, honour an industry trailblazer, and acknowledge emerging leaders in the design industry.

IDC’s Value of Design Awards (VODA) shine a spotlight on Canadian interior designers by providing a forum to showcase the benefits of design thinking. These awards demonstrate the positive human and business impact of design thinking for the people and companies who hire a professional interior designer.

CRL is the industry’s leading, full-service provider of architectural metals, glass fittings, and professional-grade glazing supplies.

Architects have a unique opportunity to blend form and function in perfect harmony. CRL works side-by-side with you to turn your bold architectural visions into real-world experiences. We draw on 50+ years of expertise and a track record of innovation to help you solve the most challenging issues. We understand architecture and design, and can provide superior aesthetics while meeting evermore stringent building codes. From customization to quote to completion, CRL is there to help you bring amazing opportunities to life.

Polymershapes is the premier distributor of plastic sheet, rod, tube, film, and associated products, with over 70 years of industry-leading heritage. We have the industry’s most knowledgeable and highly trained sales and customer service team. Our network of 70 stocking facilities, located throughout the US, Canada, Mexico and Chile, enables our customers access to extensive local inventory from world-class supplier partners, and we can provide same day delivery in many locations.