Clarifying the Role of Architects and Engineers for Existing Buildings
Engineers and Geoscientists BC and the Architectural Institute of BC (AIBC) issued a joint statement today to provide clarity on the Architects Regulation and the role of engineering professionals and architects in the repair, renewal, and rehabilitation of existing buildings.
The Architects Regulation defines the reserved practice of architecture, and was introduced on February 10, 2023, in line with the AIBC being brought under the Professional Governance Act (PGA). Following the Architects Regulation coming into force, the AIBC repealed Bulletin 34, their professional practice bulletin on building envelope services. In response, feedback from registrants, local governments, others in the building sector, and the public indicated more clarity was needed regarding the practice of Architects and Building Envelope Engineers in the context of repair, renewal and rehabilitation of existing buildings.
In response to a directive from the Office of the Superintendent of Professional Governance (OSPG), the AIBC developed Descriptive Materials to assist in the application of the Architects Regulation. These Descriptive Materials respond to some of the questions that have been raised, and we’re continuing our work to decrease confusion in this area.
"It's important to us that our registrants have clear scopes of work to guide their professional practice," said Heidi Yang, P.Eng., Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s CEO. "We're committed to working with the AIBC to achieve this clarity for building enclosure engineers, in service to the public's safety and environmental protection."
Engineers and Geoscientists BC and AIBC will work to provide:
- Replacement guidelines for the AIBC’s building enclosure-related Bulletins
- Amendment of Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s Professional Practice Guidelines — Building Enclosure Engineering Services
- Greater clarity to the professions’ practice in this area
If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].
Specific questions about the Architects Regulation and AIBC Descriptive Materials should be directed to the AIBC ([email protected]).
Photo credit: Harrison Liu, AdobeStock