News

EVDS alumae, Madyson McKay (MArch’11) journeyed to Bogota to volunteer with Architecture for Humanity (AFH) as a design fellow in the Colombian capital.

For three months, McKay worked with AFH ― a non-profit organization created by professionals who provide design services where they are needed most.

In Colombia, that meant spearheading the Musical Façade Project located at Gabriel Garcia Marquez School in the Soacha neighbourhood. The project, a design of a two-story musical storage unit, would also serve as a performance and gathering space for the students.

Each year, the Faculty of Environmental Design Students’ Association (EVDS SA) coordinates the Small Frame Show, an art show and silent auction where participants create and display works of art in small frames.

The show features works from environmental design students, faculty and alumni, which are displayed and available for purchase in the EVDS Kasian Gallery (PF 2182) until Dec. 7 at 7 p.m.

Libraries are increasingly the places in which culture is produced, collected and disseminated. The Ambient Exchange submission to the Helsinki Library Competition, promotes a culture of collaboration, creative inquiry and community engagement through provision of functional and exuberant spaces that engage the strong social and craft-oriented traditions of the Finnish built environment.

At a ceremony at the Municipal Building last week, Dr. Bev Sandalack was honoured for her service as a member of Calgary's Urban Design Review Panel. Dr. Sandalack's volunteer contributions since 2004 as a founding member, and most recently Chair, of this City of Calgary committee were acknowledged, and Stuart Dalgliesh, DIrector of Development and Building Approvals, thanked her for her participation in the review of almost 500 projects during this time. Dr.

Following its biannual Board meeting Nov 16-17, the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) announced its 2012-2013 Board of the Executive Committee and Directors.

The CABC voted in the new 2012-2013 Executive Committe: Carole Caron as President, Branko Kolarevic as Vice-President and Thérèse LeBlanc as Secretary-Treasurer.

The CABC also welcomed new Directors: Thérèse LeBlanc, Anne Cormier and Sean Rofrigues.

On National Housing Day, Nov. 22, federal and provincial governments, industry, academics, community leaders and housing advocates celebrate the affordable housing initiatives that are making a difference in people's lives.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, in partnership with a variety of housing organisations, is encouraging Canadians to join in the discussion about the importance of affordable housing in our communities.

It simply doesn’t get any better than being atop the Calgary Tower sipping a glass of wine, sampling super hors d’oeuvres and chatting with great minds.

Such were the trappings at the recent University of Calgary Chancellor’s Club event held Oct. 18.

Proceeds from membership in the Chancellor’s Club provide scholarship support for extraordinary students.

Faculty of Environmental Design (EVDS) celebrates this year’s World Town Planning Day with Connect: Planning for Change, a student planning conference Nov. 8.

Nov. 8 marks the fourth annual World Town Planning Day (WTP). This year’s WTP explores Smart Communities Connect and the idea of bringing together communities that have smart growth – a planning theory that advocates sustainability.

Calgary’s city plans are guided by the vision of smart growth and sustainable communities as places that build on their assets and have a strong sense of place.

A joint Miistakis Institute and Western Transportation Institute (WTI) study demonstrates the wildlife underpass in Dead Man’s Flats is improving human safety by reducing the number of wildlife-vehicle collisions in the area.

The underpass southeast of Canmore has proven more cost effective than the societal costs paid for damaged vehicles, human injury and death, and lost hunting revenues.

“Growth for the sake of growth doesn’t interest me.” Well, what’s this, another wacky environmentalist spouting nonsense? No, it’s actually Steve Williams, the CEO of Suncor, quoted on the cover of the September edition of Alberta Oil. While Mr. Williams was not really taking on the idea of growth, he does suggest that growth must have a purpose.

Two recently released Canadian reports have converged on the question of growth and its purpose. Both present compelling evidence suggesting that in Canada, growth and well-being might be at odds.