Coming to Vancouver in October, POP // CAN // CRIT 2018 is a national, panel-based, symposium that brings together leading voices in architecture practice, academia and related fields, who are changing the way we see and understand architecture. The annual event challenges current practice, examines contemporary issues, and proposes new solutions to the future of architecture practice.
Held at Simon Fraser University’s Djavad Mowafaghian World Art Centre, the speakers, guests, and panel disvussions for POP // CAN // CRIT 2018 were recently announced.
POP // CAN // CRIT 2018 Speakers and Guests:
- Farida Abu-Bakare | HOK | intern architect + associate
- Don Ardiel | Royal Architectural Institute of Canada | architect + director of practice support
- Shirley Blumberg | KPMB Architects | architect + founding partner
- Darryl Condon | HCMA Architecture + Design | architect + managing principal
- Andrew Dejneka | Royal Architectural Institute of Canada | intern architect + director representing interns & intern architects
- Toon Dreessen | Dreessen Cardinal Architects | architect + president
- Stephen Fai | Azrieli School of Architecture + Urbanism | associate professor + director, CIMS; chair of the PhD + MAS programs
- Veronica Gillies | Henriquez Partners Architects | architect + director of innovation
- Susan Gushe | Perkins+Will Canada | architect + managing principal
- Gregory Henriquez | Henriquez Partners Architects | architect + managing director
- Andrew King | Lemay | senior partner + design principal; | McGill School of Architecture | adjunct professor
- Naomi Kriss | Kriss Communications | principal + founder
- Ema Peter | Ema Peter Photography | principal + architectural photographer
- Inge Roecker | AIRstudio + University of British Columbia School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture | architect + associate professor
- Megan Torza | DTAH | architect + partner
- Adele Weder | architectural journalist + critic
POP // CAN // CRIT 2018 PANEL TOPICS:
Panel 1: Architecture Speak
This panel will delve into the influence and importance of marketing, communications and the media with respect to the business and practices of architecture. The panel will bring together topics discussed in both of the two previous POP // CAN // CRIT symposia, through the lens of architectural business practices. It will ask the question: How do firms find their niche or communicate their worth within the increasingly diluted design and construction industry?
Panel 2: The Art of Business in Architecture
This panel will examine the ‘art of architecture’ and the ‘art of business’ within the practice of architecture in Canada. It will look at how business practices can foster creativity and innovation through “best practices”, how firms structure themselves, succession planning, and the threshold from small firm to mega corp. For, it is not a question of whether architecture is a business or an art, but rather, how can a firm do both simultaneously and successfully.
Panel 3: Women in Architecture / Women in Business
This panel will place focus on the increasing awareness of the gender gap that exists within the architectural profession. It will look at how women have, and are continuing to break the ‘glass ceiling’ metaphorically and in their design work, as well as the systemic causes for this inequality. It will close by suggesting changes that need to take place within the profession in order to overturn such barriers. This panel will also look at how sexism in the field of architecture can begin in the schools of architecture themselves, leading to a “normalization” of the practice later on in ones work life, and what can be done / is being done to change this.
Panel 4: From Education > Internship > Practice
This panel will look at the overlaps and divisions between the study and practice of architecture. It will explore how the business of architecture is currently or not currently being taught within Canadian schools of architecture, and look to suggest areas of growth within the education of professional practice but at a degree and post-degree level.
This panel will also look at the internship process and first years of practice for emerging practitioners. It will question how firms can better foster their staff in these highly developmental years, and look to see how some firms are working to formalize intern support.
Roundtable: The Future of Architecture Practice
Speakers will be asked to participate in a special roundtable discussion. The aim of this roundtable is to mobilize cross- disciplinary knowledge and research on contemporary architecture and open the conversation to the public.
More information about POP // CAN // CRIT 2018 is available via Spacing, at this link.