Museum of Anthropology guided tour
Tuesday, August 18
12 pm to 2 pm
UBC Museum of Anthropology
6393 NW Marine Drive 
RSVP
Join the APSC EDI.I Office for a guided tour of the Museum of Anthropology (MOA), facilitated by MOA Guides, who will lead participants through the museum's collections while exploring Indigenous histories, cultures, and ways of knowing through a decolonial lens. Held in advance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, this experiential learning opportunity invites critical reflection on the evolving role of museums in reconciliation, Indigenous perspectives on cultural representation, and the ongoing impacts of colonialism. Open to everyone at UBC. Read more. 

Zippered Wood: Rethinking How We Build
Thursday, August 6
5:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Irving K. Barber 301
1961 East Mall
RSVP
What happens when computational design intersects with construction-grade lumber and contemporary digital workflows? Digital ideas leave the screen and become full-scale physical structures. Discover how researchers are using accessible tools to rethink what's possible with wood. This UBC Emerging Media Lab workshop EML Workshop features researchers from SALA’s HiLo Lab presenting Zippered Wood, an ongoing research project exploring how computational design, conventional construction methods, and accessible fabrication tools can be combined to create sophisticated approaches to timber design and fabrication. Read more. 

MMC is a developer-focused housing conference that brings together the practitioners actively delivering low- and mid-rise housing across Canada. The conference is intentionally structured around practical housing delivery connecting developers, builders, lenders, consultants, and municipal, provincial and federal leaders in a solutions-oriented environment.

For Vancouver, we are targeting 500+ attendees, with approximately 50–60% being developers, alongside capital providers, planners, engineers, and public sector leadership. The focus is on accelerating housing supply through thoughtful policy alignment, improved approvals processes, and real project execution.

Early Bird ticket sales are now open and can be accessed here:
https://www.themmc.ca/events/the-missing-middle-conference-2026-1

SALA Alum Annie Dahan will present on her work, Hemi Patel will fill us in on her research as the 2025 Joyce Drohan Travel Award recipient, and we will announce the 2026 Joyce Drohan Travel Award recipient.

March 18, 202612:30pm-1:30pm

Telus Room, CIRS, UBC

Join us for a lunchtime presentation where we hear from SALA Alum Annie Dahan of Seacork Studio, the 2025 Joyce Drohan Travel Award recipient Hemi Patel of Hemisphere Desgin, and the annoucement of the 2026 Joyce Drohan Travel Award recipient.

There will be light lunch (sandwiches and refreshments) served. Participation is free but you will need to sign up to attend.

https://sala.ubc.ca/event/learning-from-liveable-cities-joyce-drohan-travel-award/

The Oberlander/Hahn Lecture features Chris Reed A designer, researcher, strategist, teacher, and advisor, who is recognized internationally as a leading voice in the transformation of landscapes and cities and was a recipient of the 2012 Cooper-Hewitt National Design Award in Landscape Architecture.

March 11, 20267:00pm-8:30pm

UBC Robson Square

This year’s Cornelia Hahn Oberlander / Harry J. Webb Lecture features Chris Reed, Founding Director, Stoss, Boston, MA.

This event is free, but will require a ticket. Tickets are available about a month prior to the lecture.

https://sala.ubc.ca/event/oberlander-hahn-lecture-chris-reed/

Speaker Event: Sebastian Herkner 

Join Inform on Friday, February 27th, for a special speaker event with​ internationally renowned designer Sebastian Herkner, made possible with the support of ClassiCon. 

Sebastian Herkner is a German designer who studied Product Design at HfG Offenbach and later worked with Stella McCartney in London. Since founding his studio in 2006, he has created furniture and lighting for brands including ClassiCon, &Tradition and Cappellini, earning worldwide recognition for work that blends traditional craftsmanship with modern technology.
​
German-style refreshments will be served at 4 pm; the designer talk will begin at 5 pm.

UBC SALA Lecture Series
Faculty / Alumni Roundtable

Designing Change: Land, Water, Fire, Life

Xun Liu
Kees Lokman
Thena Tak
Katie Theall
Moderated by: Adam Rysanek

6:00pm at The xʷθəθiqətəm or Place of Many Trees

https://sala.ubc.ca/event/faculty-and-alumni-roundtable-land-water-fire-life/

The WL Design 25 celebrates 25 of the best new designs of the year. While our Western Living Designers of the Year awards celebrate a body of work, the WL Design 25 awards are designed to focus on specific projects: from an inviting bedroom to a perfect chair, an elegant office space to a sustainably crafted coffee table.

Each of the 25 winners in our WL Design 25 represent the best of Western Canadian design in 2026.

The evening at Livingspace will include passed canapes and excellent wine (and plenty of networking and mingling with the Western Canadian design community!) before the awards presentation.

PLUS! Our 2026 WL Design 25 winners and our 2026 WL Design 25 People's Choice Awards will be revealed live on stage.

For more information, visit: westernliving.ca/doty/wl-design-25/

North America’s most successful public market is at high risk to be underwater by 2100. Do we invest in new infrastructure to keep it above sea level? Or do we retreat?

Join Urbanarium at Waterfront Threatre for this 20th Edition Celebration!

Thursday, February 19, 7 PM

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/city-debate-20-invest-or-retreat-granville-island-sea-level-rise-tickets-1982306720764?aff=oddtdtcreator&mc_cid=9011906719&mc_eid=cc01eac60b

THE DEBATERS
Invest: Heather Deal (Granville Island Council Chair) and Tamsin Lyle (Principal at Ebbwater Consulting)
Retreat: Michael Biros (Adjunct Professor at UBC SALA) and Jeff Cutler (Principal at space2place)

MODERATED by award winning urban issues and city politics journalist Frances Bula.

Thank you to our City Debates Partners: Granville Island and UBC SALA

This event has been approved by the AIBC for 2.5 Core Learning Units. AIBC CES Participants should fill in the attendance record at the door.

The debate will be recorded. Recordings may be used for educational purposes.

Sala Alumni Lecture
Natalie Telewiak
Principal at MGA | Michael Green Architecture
Vancouver

5:00pm reception
6:00pm lecture
at Inform Interiors in Gastown

On January 19th, the League is excited to welcome local artists, designers, and makers Andrea Copp and Mike Seymour to share their recent works.

SAVE THE DATE AND STAY TUNED TO REGISTER.

JANUARY 19 • 2026 | 5:00–7:00PM
INFORM INTERIORS | 50 WATER ST | VANCOUVER BC

A conversation with author Leslie Van Duzer and Bill Pechet

November 19, 20255:30 p.m. reception, 6:30 p.m. talk

Inform Interiors

Check UBC website for ticket release.

Through the lens of contemporary artists’ engagement with the metaphorical and literal processes of fire and the spaces it creates and displaces, The Structure of Smoke includes works that problematize the poetic, structural and political aspects of fire. These works complicate the inherent contradictions of wildness and domestication, technological progress and social control, colonial conditions, rebirth and death. Holding a smoked mirror to contemporary society, the works in this exhibition offer ways to undo the familiar in how we approach our uncertain future. Read more. 

Opens Thursday, January 8
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Belkin Art Gallery
1825 Main Mall

Tuesday, December 9
3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Kaiser 2020
2332 Main Mall
You’re invited to the UBC Master of Engineering Leadership in High Performance Building (MEL HPB) Capstone Conference and Industry-Alumni Event! The Capstone Conference offers a unique platform for current MEL in HPB students to present their capstone projects focused on developing an energy and carbon concept for new buildings. The event brings together diverse stakeholders within the MEL community, including students, alumni, faculty, and industry professionals, for an enriching experience of mingling and networking. Read more and register. 

Event Details 

• Date: Thursday, November 27th, 2025 

• Time: 7:00pm PT 

• Cost: $20.00 members / $30.00 non-members / $15.00 General Audience or by donation – cash payment at the door 

• Location: Wentworth Villa – Architectural Heritage Museum, 1156 Fort St, Victoria, BC V8V 3K8 

• This event has been approved for 1.5 AIBC Core Learning Unit Credits. 

Register

Learning Objectives 

1. To understand at a general level the rules and regulations in place to protect heritage-designated buildings in Victoria 
   

2. To become familiar with the process followed in an application for a permit to make alterations to a designated heritage property 
   

3. To appreciate the design approach taken in one particular project proposal and how it met the standards and requirements 

Join The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Canada’s former Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and author of Run Like a Girl: A Memoir of Ambition, Resilience, and Fighting for Change, for an engaging conversation on climate leadership, courage, and what it takes to turn ambition into action. This student-focused event features an inspiring talk and fireside chat with audience Q&A, where McKenna shares stories from her time in public office and her journey as a global advocate for climate action and women’s leadership. This event is open to UBC students, staff, and faculty. Read more and request to register.

Changing climates: Navigating the future of climate action in the built environment

November 21, 20255 p.m. reception, 6 p.m. talk

UBC Robson Square

This year’s Garden Design Lecture features Andreas Kipar, Founder and Principal of LAND. Member of the World Economic Forum Taskforce for Nature-Positive Cities. BDLA, AIAPP, IFLA Member. Professor of Landscape and Public Space Design at Politecnico di Milano.

The talk is part of our Changing climates: Navigating the future of climate action in the built environment series.

This event is free, register here.

Join WIA and AIBC for an insightful journey into the world of architecture through the eyes of inspiring women who shape our cities. Career Paths offers personal stories and experiences shared by leading professionals. You'll gain valuable insights and explore diverse career opportunities within architecture.

This event embodies Women in Architecture Vancouver’s dedication to fostering mentorship and building a thriving community. Whether you're starting out or looking for new directions, you're welcome here. Reserve your spot and be part of a supportive and empowering network.

Tickets available here.

Session 3 | Toward a Relationship-Based Approach to Design in Indigenous Communities

This session is eligible for credit towards the AIBC’s Indigenous Peoples Learning requirement.

Have you ever wondered how community-led, emergent process happens? In an Indigenous context, how a project is realized is just as important, if not more important, than the final product. This session will explore how community vision and values translate into design in our practices. Scott Kemp will provide insights from the perspective of the Architect, and Alanna Quock will share the perspective of an Indigenous process designer, facilitator, and owner’s representative. Alanna will also share how values are carried forward into every decision through project-specific principles. The principles act as anchors—holding space for culture and community voice, while also providing practical direction for the consultant and construction teams. They are the connective tissue between vision and implementation. Just as each person in the community brings a unique gift to the project, so too does each member of the technical team. A central part of this conversation is how to recognize those gifts – knowing when to step forward, when to step back, and how to create conditions for buildings that dismantle injustice and nurture thriving communities.

Date & Time: Friday, November 14 from 12 – 1 p.m.
Location: Online via Zoom
Cost: $35 (AIBC-subsidized pricing for all attendees)
Learning Units (LUs): 1 Core
Registration: Register by 12 p.m. on Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Presenter: Alanna Quock Intern Architect AIBC and Scott Kemp Architect AIBC

This session is eligible for credit towards the AIBC’s Indigenous Peoples Learning requirement.

Have you ever wondered how community-led, emergent process happens? In an Indigenous context, how a project is realized is as important, if not more important, than the final product. We’ll explore how community vision and values translate into design in our practices, with Scott from the perspective of the Architect, and Alanna as the perspective of an Indigenous process designer, facilitator and owner’s representative. Alanna will share how values are carried forward into every decision through project-specific principles. The principles act as anchors—holding space for culture and community voice while also providing practical direction for the consultant and construction teams. They are the connective tissue between vision and implementation. Just as each person in the community has a gift to bring to the project, so too does each member of the technical team. A very important part of the conversation we’d like to have is about how recognize those gifts, know when to step forward and when to step back, and how to create conditions for buildings that dismantle injustice and nurture thriving communities.

Presenter: Alanna Quock Intern Architect AIBC and Scott Kemp Architect AIBC

Date: Friday, November 14, 2025 Time: 12 – 1 p.m. Location: Online via Zoom

Cost: $35 

Learning Units (LUs): 1 Core Registration: Register by 12 p.m. on Wednesday, November 12, 2025

The AIBC is pleased to subsidize the ticket price for this session. The session cost is the same for all AIBC Registrant categories.

https://site.pheedloop.com/event/Fall2025PDSERIES/register#start

The Island Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) spotlights the creative forces shaping Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands by highlighting the products, projects and people whose excellence is achieved through design. 

From design thinking to visual design, the awards celebrate the role design plays in shaping successful places, products, experiences, and interactions.

A panel of judges has now narrowed the field to five finalists in each category.

From interiors to products to community design — the shortlist highlights the best of Island creativity and innovation. Congratulations to all the finalists who are raising the bar for design excellence in our region.

For shortlists, tickets and more info, see the Design Victoria Website.

Session 2 | A Camel is a Horse Designed by a Committee: The Case for Open Source Architecture

What is meant by the phrase “a camel is a horse designed by a committee”? Is this true? Or is a camel really just a creature of an entirely other nature – an expression of function over form that evolved from a different set of circumstances?

This session will present a rationale for open source architecture; explore notions of a democratic design process; review examples of participatory design in architecture; and the manner in which standardization for off-site manufacturing can inform architectural design. Lastly, the session will illustrate the application of these ideas/principles through a review of the Standardized Housing Designs Catalogue published by the British Columbia Ministry of Housing in fall 2024, and discuss whether the project has had any identifiable impact on the housing crisis in British Columbia over the past year.

Date & Time: Wednesday, November 5 from 12–1 p.m.
Location: Online via Zoom
Cost: $50 (Architect AIBC & Architectural Technologist AIBC); $40 (Intern Architect AIBC & Retired Architect AIBC)
Learning Units (LUs): 1 Core
Registration: Register by 12 p.m. on Monday, November 3, 2025
Presenters: Michael Leckie Architect AIBC

Join us on November 4, from 5-7pm for a talk on middle housing, organized by Smallworks. Hear Jake Fry, Marianne Amodio, Shirley Shen and Michael Leckie talk about the realities, philosophies, implications, and possibilities of soft density and small-scale developments.

Plot the Lot: Incremental, Communal, Citizen Developers

The frontier of housing is middle. This talk takes on the state of the urban middle in our local context and explores how new middle housing typologies act as manifestos for how we live now and together.

Structured in four parts—The Original Solution, Social Density, Contextual Density, and Open-Source Housing—we interpret the role of the Citizen Developers, and consider how participatory housing might reshape the narrative of the housing crisis into one about commons, not commodities.

The nature of housing is incremental: from the ground up, and in all of our hands.

Speakers: 

Jake Fry, Smallworks
Marianne Amodio, MA+HG
Shirley Shen, Haeccity Studio Architecture
Michael Leckie, Leckie Studio Architecture + Design


Moderated by:

Uytae Lee, About Here

Drinks and snacks at 5pm; talk begins at 6pm.

Register here.

Hear from a dynamic group of industry leaders riff off the winning ideas from the Decoding Timber Towers competition—unpacking their real-world feasibility and what it take's to scale mass timber projects in today’s construction landscape.

Moderated by: Brenda Knights, CEO, BC Indigenous Housing Society

Panelists:

Natalie Telewiak, Partner at Michael Green Architecture [architect perspective]

Andrew Harmsworth, Principal, GHL Consultants [fire engineer perspective]

Robert Jackson, Partner Fast & Epp [structural engineer perspective]

Devon Parkinson, Senior Project Manager, Kalesnikoff [manufacturer perspective]

Kenny Dempsey, Project Director, Kindred Construction [builder perspective]

5:30-6:00PM Reception

6:30-7:15PM Panel

7:15-8:30PM Networking

Bar and catering. Those with Halloween spirit encouraged but not expected.

Register here.

Head to Inform on Tuesday, October 28, from 5–7 PM to celebrate Christian Woo and the launch of his new window installation at the 50 Water Street showroom.

RVSP here.

We’re hosting our awards night on October 27th at the Vancouver Club this year!

Updates to come.

Climate change, the built environment, and the post-2025 world order

Panelists

Joe Dahmen
Sara Jacobs
Zahra Teshnizi
John Wall

Moderator

Adam Rysanek

Part of the Changing climates: Navigating the future of climate action in the built environment series.

Event is free, register here.