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About
The 2023 RAIC Congress on Architecture is two days of activities and networking events that bring together professionals from across the industry to discuss an issue of importance to the profession. This year’s theme is Climate Action and Architecture.
Congress serves as a forum for important discussions on climate action to:
- IGNITE action and learning to improve architecture
- CREATE and strengthen connections and collaborations
- SHARE ideas, strategies and leading practice
Events and activities during Congress include:
- RAIC Congress on Architecture (October 2)-at the award-winning Squamish – Lil’wat Cultural Centre
- Evening Celebration Reception – at the award winning Audain Art Museum (October 2)
- Low-Carbon Education Day (October 3)
- RAIC Board of Directors Meeting (October 4)
Delegates will come together for important conversations, education and social events while exploring the majestic city of Whistler.
Why Sponsor?
Connect directly with industry leaders and experienced professionals who control purchasing budgets.
Make valuable contacts, increase sales, and join the discussion on making a better built environment.
Exposure to over 300+ delegates
Metrics:
- 90% of attendees are Canadian licensed architects
- 5,300 members
- 6500+ direct hits on the RAIC website every month
-
22,800+ followers across social media platforms
- Twitter: 5,850
- Facebook: 2,600
- Instagram: 3,844
- LinkedIn: 10,506
- The opportunity to share a message with participants
- The chance to showcase your positive impact on the built environment as it relates to climate change
Who attends?
Delegates include leaders in architecture and design, emerging talents in architecture, students entering the field, faculty, and allied professionals.
Schedule Overview
RAIC 2023 Congress on Architecture
October 2, 2023 – 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Squamish lil-wat Cultural Centre
The RAIC Congress on Architecture will take place on October 2 – World Architecture Day. Congress brings professionals together to ignite action, strengthen connections, and share ideas on a single issue of importance to the profession. The 2023 RAIC Congress on Architecture will focus exclusively on Climate Action and Architecture in Canada informing the development of a Climate Action Plan. The event will be held in the Great Hall of the award-winning Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre in Whistler, a unique Aboriginal Cultural Centre that showcases the two First Nations communities that lived in the Whistler area.
This event is organized into three parts, first opening with a moderated discussion with Indigenous presenters focusing on how nature, ecological and Indigenous knowledges and practices must be at the centre of climate-resilient solutions. This will be followed by a presentation of our current state, exploring what we have un/learned. The session will close with an inter-professional discussion on what actions must come next.
This session is AIBC Recognized and eligible for 5.5 Core LU of which 4 contribute to completion of the Indigenous Peoples Learning requirement.
Part 1: Indigenous Sharing Circle
According to the United Nations, Indigenous peoples safeguard an estimated 80% of the world’s remaining biodiversity. Indigenous people have been caring for the environment/nature for thousands of years and hold knowledges that are critical in the climate crisis. This in-person session will explore the topic of how Indigenous knowledges are vital and must be part of any climate action responses.
Part 2: Where are we now: Canadian Architectural Community Perspectives
This session will share data and knowledge perspectives from the Canadian architectural community. The discussion will include findings from a variety of sources and will cover themes including commitment to action (individual and organization level), types of climate action engagement, perception of competency, environmental scan summary and opportunities and challenges in the areas of practice, education and advocacy.
Part 3: Accelerating Climate Action: Collaboration and Collective Action
Cross-sectoral collaboration and collective action are key to advancing the climate agenda and influencing system change. Partnerships between and across governments (all levels), private sector, non-governmental organizations, not-for profit sector and professional disciplines are essential to advance at the pace and scale needed for positive impact1. Each one of these actors has a unique and vital role to play in signaling climate leadership among their communities and being a part of collective action for system change. This is an in person, moderated discussion format.
RAIC Congress – World Architecture Day Dinner Reception at the Audain
October 2, 2023, 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Audain Art Museum
Delegates of both October 2 and October 3 events are invited to join this celebratory dinner reception on World Architecture Day. The event will be held at the renowned Audain Art Museum, designed by internationally acclaimed Patkau Architects.
John Patkau (Patkau Architects), David Shone (Patkau Architects) and Stuart Hood (Introba) will join us and share insights on the architectural challenges, design development, and sustainability goals of the building in the context of the demanding requirements for a museum.
The museum features an outstanding permanent boutique collection of historical and contemporary Northwest Coast art, complimented with changing world-class temporary exhibitions. There will be an opportunity for guided and self-guided tours during this event.
The dinner reception will include gallery access for all guests (gallery access 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.), dinner reception and two drinks. Space is limited, so reserve your ticket today.
RAIC Congress – Low Carbon Education Training Workshop
October 3, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Fairmont Chateau Whistler
The time to accelerate climate action is now.
Globally, taking into account both embodied carbon and operations, the building sector is responsible for close to 40% of C02 emissions. It also accounts for approximately 40% of global resource extraction and is one of the highest uses of chemicals downstream from the chemical industry itself.
Working together with a diverse group of individuals as part of a Low Carbon Education Advisory Group and key subject-matter experts, the RAIC has developed a training program with the goal of increasing awareness and knowledge of low-carbon principles to help upskill architects and others in the architectural community. Workshop curriculum covers competencies needed to support new construction and retrofits and includes climate change literacy foundations, climate-responsive design foundations, making the case for change, integrative design thinking and regenerative design, equity, diversity and inclusion and Indigenous knowledges.
The training workshop is FREE and welcomes architects, interns, technologists, students and others in the architectural community.
Space is limited, so reserve your spot today. The workshop includes breakfast, lunch and refreshment breaks. The session will be eligible for AIBC Core LU (5.5 hours ).
This workshop is a collaboration with the Canada Green Building Council as part of the Low Carbon Training Program. This program is funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program.
This session is AIBC Recognized and eligible for 5.5 Core LU of which 4 contribute to completion of the Indigenous Peoples Learning requirement.