Today, the first Monday in October, marks World Architecture Day and the United Nations World Habitat Day. An opportunity to reflect on the significant role architecture plays on society, climate, the economy, and our everyday lives, it is—more importantly—a chance to move from passive reflection to active response.  The RAIC is celebrating the day while also challenging the status quo with calls for action. Today we focus on the environment, one of the core pillars of our advocacy work. Taking Action: A Conversation on Climate Action and Architecture in Canada launches our inaugural Congress on Architecture, set for World Architecture Day 2021 (October 4). These events look to identify ways that architects and those in the architecture community can best affect positive change. The RAIC is focusing on—and prioritizing—its advocacy work on the issues that matter most. From the COVID-19 pandemic response, to climate action and the need to end systemic racism while improving diversity, equity and inclusion in our profession, it is time for us to act.   

Today we also launch RAIC Connects; a new online member community platform that will change the way you interact with your fellow members, RAIC committees, topical practice and advocacy focused communities, and more. This morning you would also have heard from us through your first Daily Digest communication from RAIC Connects. We invite you to log in, complete your profile, and contribute to a discussion in the Member Community, or simply introduce yourself and say hello. This is also a place where we can have important conversations about the intersections of society, the environment, and the profession. 

As  advocacy work for the RAIC continues to move forward, these messages from ourselves, as President and the CEO of the RAIC, will be transitioning over the coming months into a monthly communication meant to share the important work that is taking place within the organization in these areas outlined above. We continue to be available to all members and look forward to seeing the progress these next few months will bring in 2020.  

Sincerely, 

John Brown, President 

Mike Brennan, CEO 

Available on-demand here. This event is in lead up to the 2021 RAIC Congress on Architecture, which will focus on Climate Action and Architecture in Canada 

We are thrilled to present the Main Street Design Playbook, a collection of submissions to the Main Street Design Challenge. Many thanks to all who participated, and especially to our supporting partners: the Canadian Institute of Planners,  Canadian Society of Landscape Architects, Council for Canadian Urbanism, ICOMOS Canada, National Trust for Canada, OCAD University, Rues Principales, STEPS Initiative, and Trinity Centres Foundation. 

The RAIC is delighted to be included in this year’s World Architecture Day celebration by Global Affairs Canada. Today, Canadian missions around the globe will be sharing a selection of RAIC award winning projects on their social accounts.  

Pulse Survey #3 – Results now available here

• RAIC collaborates with CaGBC and foundational partners in a green recovery to respond to the speech from the throne. A joint statement was released on September 28, 2020 
• RAIC writes a letter in support of saving Arthur Erickson’s Law Courts Inn interior
• RAIC supports Architects Declare: On September 25, Architects Declare brought together architects from across the country for presentations and discussions meant to collaboratively leverage and collectively lead the way forward in the fight against climate change. The event was promoted by the RAIC—who is a signatory on declaration made by the collective..  
• RAIC participates in monthly national Construction Industry Roundtable meetings led by  Public Services and Procurement Canada 
• RAIC has submitted a response to the Government of Canada’s (Accessibility Standards Canada) call, in consultation with stakeholders, to help shape Canada's accessibility standards. The RAIC provided consultation on priorities for engagement, accessibility standards, and research from 2020-2022. 
• Working closely with the Canadian Urban Institute, the RAIC continues as an active member of the Main Street Action Network, as well as a steering committee member in the Bring Back Main Street Coalition 
• RAIC met with Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada to discuss procurement, capacity building and future consultations 

This webinar focuses on supporting architectural practices that have had to urgently work-from-home during the COVID-19 pandemic; yet intend to return to a physical or semi-physical work environment post-COVID.

This talk will introduce the most ready-to-use tools that can complement an architectural practice to improve the connectivity, communication, design and production while being isolated from the work environment. Tools that will be introduced include: ZOOM, Padlet, Trello, Conceptboard, Slack, and others. 

The RAIC invites members who identify as Indigenous to participate in the new RAIC Indigenous Member Directory. 

This one-year pilot project, created in response to requests for the RAIC to share information about Indigenous members, will run from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2021, to better respond to these requests. This directory has been developed in consultation with the RAIC Indigenous Task Force.  

Inclusion in the directory is voluntary and requires express consent for your name and contact information to be included. The directory will not be published and only shared in direct response to incoming requests. The directory is currently only open to RAIC members. 

If you would like to be included in the RAIC Indigenous Member Directory, please complete the form by November 30, 2020.  

For questions, access to the directory, or to change information shared, contact ITF@raic.org