| How is the Association Organized? |
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What schools offer an Architecture Program? Where do I go to school in Canada to become a Licensed
Interior Designer with your
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AN OVERVIEW The Alberta Association of Architects (the Association) is a self governing professional association responsible for:
The Architect, Licensed Interior Designer and Restricted Practitioner Members of the Alberta Association of Architects ("Members"), are governed by the Architects Act and the Regulations under the Act, including a Code of Ethics. As professionals, their prime responsibility is to their clients. They are expected to maintain the high standards of practice that is required of the Profession in Alberta. The Association has established a system to discipline those Members who do not abide by the Architects Act and Regulations or who fail to live up to the Code of Ethics. This discipline system, called the Complaint Review Process, allows members of the public, a way of communicating information to the Association regarding the conduct of its Members. The purpose of this information is to explain the Complaint Review Process.
IF A DISPUTE DEVELOPS WITH AN ARCHITECT, WHAT SHOULD YOU DO? Architects are highly trained Professionals who assist clients solve planning, design, and other construction related problems. While the vast majority are also skilled business people and communicators, the interpretation of a specific clients needs and dreams into a complex building can result in a variety of problems. The first step in attempting to resolve any dispute should be to contact the Architect involved. As a professional, the Architect's prime responsibility is to represent the Client, and so the Architect should be willing to seek a mutually satisfactory solution, within the context of the contractual agreement regarding the project. It should be noted that a good written agreement, carefully reviewed by both parties prior to signing, is an excellent means of avoiding potential disputes and is the best protection for both the Client and the Architect. The Alberta Association of Architects has standard forms of client-architect agreements that it makes available to its Members and to the public. If the Architect and the Client, or Architect and Sub-consultant, are unable to resolve their difficulties, then mediation may be helpful. Mediation is a process whereby a neutral third party acts as Communicator, and assists as parties make decisions themselves. Mediation can often result in a successful resolution of a dispute and may avoid costly legal action. If it becomes evident that the dispute can not be resolved between the two parties involved, with or without mediation, then arbitration or legal action may be necessary. The agreement between an Architect and his Client is governed by contract law, and the Courts may be the only avenue for resolution. If any form of restitution is sought by either party and the situation can not be resolved mutually or through mediation, then legal action may be necessary. Regardless of whether or not arbitration or legal action is initiated, a member of the public may lodge a complaint with the Association against an Architect, Licensed Interior Designer, or a Restricted Practitioner ("Members").
WHO MAY LODGE A COMPLAINT AND HOW? Any member of the public may lodge a complaint against an Architect, Licensed Interior Designer or Restricted Practitioner, if he/she feels that the Member is guilty of either unprofessional conduct and/or the unskilled practice of Architecture. Complaints should be made in writing, to the Director of Practice/Registrar of the Association, and should contain a detailed description, and as much documentation as possible regarding the nature of the complaint. The Complainant should describe exactly what was or was not done. Copies of any relevant contracts, letters, etc. should be attached. The names of all the involved Architects, Licensed Interior Designers and Restricted Practitioners and their firms should be stated. Once a written complaint has been received by the Association, the Complaint Review Process is implemented.
STEPS IN THE COMPLAINT REVIEW PROCESS 1. Receipt of the Complaint When the Association receives a written complaint, the Director of Practice/Registrar writes the Complainant, acknowledging the complaint and sends a copy of the complaint to all the Architects, Licensed Interior Designers and Restricted Practitioners (Members) involved. If the content of the complaint and the nature of the complainant suggest, then the Director of Practice/Registrar may suggest to both parties that they consider mediation. If both parties are willing to engage in mediation, then the Association will assist by recommending a mediator. Any costs associated with the mediation process are the responsibility of the parties involved. Referring the complaint to mediation may also be appropriate at other stages of the complaint review process.
2. Initial Review by the Chairman of the Complaint Review Committee Once receipt of the complaint is acknowledged and the Members involved are sent copies of the complaint, the complaint is sent to the Chairman of the Complaint Review Committee, for initial review. The Chairman of the Complaint Review Committee is an Architect who volunteers his/her time, and who is responsible for overseeing the complaint review process. It is appropriate at this point for the Members who are the subject of the complaint to also submit to the Association any documentation they may have that is relevant to the subject matter of the complaint. The Chairman reviews the complaint, the documentation submitted with the complaint, and any information submitted by the Members whose conduct is the subject of the complaint. The Chairman may contact the complainant, the Member(s), and anyone else who might have information regarding the complaint.
The Chairman may make one of a number of decisions at this point. He/she may direct that: a)the complaint be DISMISSED. If the Chairman feels there is no substantial evidence of unprofessional conduct or unskilled practice by a Member(s), or if he/she considers that the complaint is frivolous or vexatious, then the Chairman may direct that no further action be taken. This decision by the Chairman can be appealed by the Complainant. (Appeals are discussed in more detail later in this publication.) b) the Member(s) be sent a LETTER OF ADVICE. If the Chairman feels that the Member(s) may have erred but that the matter is a relatively minor one, then the Chairman may write the Member(s) involved a letter of advice, suggesting how similar situations should be handled in the future. c) the complaint be referred to the COMPLAINT REVIEW COMMITTEE. If the conduct involved is of a serious nature, and if the Chairman feels that sufficient information is available, he/she may refer the matter to the Complaint Review Committee for a Hearing to formally investigate the matter. d) a PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION be done. If the Chairman feels that the evidence available, suggests that a Member(s) may be guilty of unprofessional conduct and/or the unskilled practice of architecture, but that the information is not clear, or not sufficient to go directly to a hearing, then the Chairman may direct that a preliminary investigation take place.
3. Preliminary Investigation A preliminary investigation is undertaken by a Member of the Complaint Review Committee who, like the Chairman of the Committee, is a volunteer Member of the Alberta Association of Architects. A preliminary investigation will normally involve discussions with the Complainant and the Member(s) under investigation, and may also involve others who have knowledge or information relevant to the situation. The purpose of the preliminary investigation is to obtain further information and documentation for review by the Chairman of the Complaint Review Committee. The information is for the Chairman's use only. Upon receipt of the report of the preliminary investigation, the Chairman may then decide to direct that no further action be taken regarding the complaint, or may refer the complaint to the Complaint Review Committee for a formal investigation and a Hearing. If the Chairman directs that no further action be taken, then the Complainant may appeal this decision.
4. The Hearing If a complaint is referred to a Hearing, then a 'Notice of Hearing' is sent to the Member(s) whose conduct is to be investigated at a hearing held on the complaint or conduct. The Notice of Hearing is also sent to the Complainant, who will be called as a witness by the Association at the Hearing. Since the evidence received by the Association to date suggests that a Member(s) may be guilty of unprofessional conduct and/or the unskilled practice of Architecture, the Association now pursues the complaint and may call other witness besides the Complainant. The Complainant, may be represented by legal counsel, if he or she so wishes, and is only present at the Hearing during his/her testimony. The Member(s) under investigation, is also entitled to be represented by legal counsel. The Member(s) under investigation is present during the entire Hearing and is entitled to hear all testimony and review all documentation presented in evidence. Hearings before the Complaint Review Committee are confidential. Only the Member(s) under investigation, the Members of the Complaint Review Committee, and the Association representatives are allowed to attend. Other witnesses are present only during their testimony.
There are two parts to a Hearing. The first part is the presentation of information regarding guilt or innocence. A Panel of the Complaint Review Committee, composed of at least three Architects who volunteer their time, hears the testimony regarding the conduct, that is the subject of the Hearing. Both the Association and the Member(s) under investigation are entitled to call witnesses. The purpose of this part of the Hearing is to present information so that the Panel understands clearly what happened in the situation under investigation. The Panel then judges the Member's conduct relevant to what is normally considered acceptable conduct from an Architect practicing today in Alberta. The Decision of a Panel of the Complaint Review Committee is confidential, unless the Panel orders that the substance of the Decision be published, either with or without the name of the Member(s). The Complainant, however, is entitled to know the nature of the Decision. If the Member(s) is found guilty, then the Hearing moves to part two, 'Submissions' regarding the penalty for the unprofessional conduct and/or unskilled practice of architecture. The Association and the Member(s) both make submissions to the Committee regarding what they consider a fair and reasonable penalty given the present situation and the Member's past record of conduct. The Panel then issues its Decision, which includes its findings, the reasons for its findings, and identifies the penalties assigned to the Member. The Complaint Review Committee has the authority to reprimand a Member, order fines, order that the Member pay all or part of the costs of a Hearing, and may suspend or cancel the registration of a Member. If suspended or if registration is cancelled, then the Member is no longer entitled to practice Architecture in the province of Alberta.
5. Appeals A Member(s) who has been found guilty of unprofessional conduct and/or the unskilled practice of Architecture is entitled to appeal the Decision of the Complaint Review Committee, to the Council of the Association. The Council is the governing body of the Association and is composed of Architects elected by the Membership, and a representative of the Public, appointed by Government. Appeals must be in writing and must state the findings and/or orders appealed, and the reasons for the appeal. The appeal must be received by the Director of Practice/Registrar of the Association within 30 days, after the date of service of the Decision of the Complaint Review Committee. The Complainant is entitled to appeal a decision of the Chairman of the Complaint Review Committee, such as a non-referral of a complaint to the Complaint Review Committee for investigation at a Hearing. Such appeals must also be in writing, and must state why, in the opinion of the Complainant, the Chairman erred in not referring the matter to the Committee. Appeals must be received by the Director of Practice/Registrar of the Association within 30 days, of the receipt of the letter stating that the complaint has been dismissed by the Chairman. On appeal, the Council of the Association has the authority to either uphold the decision of the Chairman or the Complaint Review Committee, or to overturn or alter the decision. Member(s) under investigation may also appeal the decision of the Council to the Alberta Court of Appeal.
PRINCIPLES OF NATURAL JUSTICE Since a decision of the Complaint Review Committee can directly affect their rights as Members of the Association, including the right to practice, 'Discipline Hearings' are conducted consistent with the principles of natural justice, which are parts of the area of administrative law. These principles are as follows: Fairness - The Member(s) under investigation has the right to know the case against him/her, including the right to call witnesses and enter evidence. The Complaint Review Committee must consider the Member's evidence and submissions. Impartiality - The Members of the Complaint Review Committee, must be impartial and unbiased and have no personal interest in the outcome of the case and no private knowledge of the facts. They must approach the case with open minds. Reasonability - The process and procedure used by the Complaint Review Committee must be reasonable, equitable, and workable.
VOLUNTEERS The volunteer Members of the Complaint Review Committee are only some of the many volunteer Members that make the Association work. The tasks they perform in judging the conduct of fellow Professionals is one of the most difficult and the most time consuming. It is part of the responsibility the Association has to regulate the practice of Architecture and to protect the public. Each Member of the Association assumes a duty at the time of registration to conduct him/herself in a professional manner at all times in serving their clients and employers. FURTHER INFORMATION Members of the public and Members of the Association are encouraged to contact the Association should they require further information regarding the complaint review process. Note: The above is designed to provide a summary of the
Complaint Review Process. In all cases, the Architects Act, the
Regulations under the Act, and the Bylaws of the Association take
precedence. Members of the Public and Members of the Association
should obtain their own legal advice regarding specific interpretations
of the Act and Regulations and the application of the process to
their specific
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2010 Banff Session - Biannual Conference The next biannual conference will be held in the spring of 2010. More information can be obtained on the planning and composition of this conference by clicking on the following link. The Alberta Association of Architects
2009 Annual General Meeting Plans are in progress for the next Annual General Meeting. Click on the following link to obtain the details of this meeting as they are finalized.
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*Canadian Architectural Certification Board Accredited Program in Architecture Western Canada University of British Columbia
Carleton University Dalhousie University (DalTech) Laval University
1. The Bachelor of Architecture program at Carleton University
is being phased out and is not accepting 2. The University of Toronto's architecture program is in a
period of transition from offering the Bachelor
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55 Murray Street, Suite 330 The Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) was established in 1976 by an agreement of the Registration Authorities and councils of the provincial architectural licensing authorities, to assess and certify the academic qualifications of individuals holding a professional degree/diploma in architecture, in accordance with criteria and procedures contained in the Canadian Education Standard for Admission to Provincial Architectural Associations in Canada. L'Ordre des architectes du Quebec joined the CACB in1992. Prior to registration with any of the provincial associations of architects in Canada, applicants must have their academic qualifications certified by the CACB. Following certification of their academic qualifications, applicants are then required to complete the licensing requirements for the province in which they wish to be registered. Registration requirements vary from province to province and may be affected in each province from time to time by new legislation or changes in provincial bylaws. Further information concerning requirements for registration should be obtained from the provincial authority concerned. NOTE: Graduates of Canadian universities offering accredited programs in architecture will be required to fill out the form "Request for Assessment of an Accredited Professional Degree". Alberta residents may contact The Alberta Association of Architects for specific application forms available for certification purposes.
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The following schools provide accredited degree programs in Interior Design recognized by The Alberta Association of Architects.
University of Manitoba Eastern Canada Ryerson Polytechnic University
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The Registraton Fees and Annual Dues details can be obtained by clicking on the following link:
| The Architectural Registration Exams (ARE) form one segment of the registration requirements. The other segment is the completion of the practical experience requirements, and a final experience summary sheet, indicating the hours completed to date, should be forwarded to the Association for review and approval. A final review is conducted of the file to ensure receipt of all necessary documentation. Once approved, the applicant will be provided with an application for registration. |
| It usually takes 3-4 weeks to set up the registration interview. Interviews are usually scheduled once a month. |
| The Association is pleased to advise that registration interviews can now be conducted either in Edmonton or Calgary to assist in reducing any inconvenience/expense to the applicant. |
| Wall certificates are given to the successful candidates at the annual Induction Ceremony. If you are unable to attend this auspicious occasion, then the framed certificate can either be picked up from the Association office or sent by courier. |
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If you have not completed your registration requirements, you will be required to convert to the new system. Simply order the conversion diskette from the Association. This consists of a table, ready with calculation formulas. All you do is use your latest summary sheet (in the old format) and insert the number of weeks of experience that you have already recorded (and received approval for from AAA). The table will automatically convert these weeks into hours. As the transition deadline was December 31, 1998, all interns who are still recording experience in the old logbooks must contact the Association and complete the conversion process. |
| You can write the computerized exams anywhere in Canada, however, your test results will only be available from the provincial association that you are registered with. If you wish to have your results sent to The Alberta Association of Architects, you will be required to register as an Intern member of this association, before we can notify NCARB to implement this change. |
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Conversion to the new hourly format is extremely simple! All you do is order the conversion diskette from the Association. This consists of a table, ready with calculation formulas. All you do is use your latest summary sheet (in the old format) and insert the number of weeks of experience that you have already recorded (and received approval for from AAA). The table will automatically convert these weeks into hours. As the transition deadline was December 31, 1998, all interns who are still recording experience in the old logbooks must contact the Association and complete the conversion process. You do not have to re-write all your old experience into the new format! You only use the latest summary sheet for the conversion process. Also, the new format allows you to record your overtime hours - so it is to your advantage to be on the new IAP Manual. |
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Under the new IAP, credit may be granted up to 1880 hours for undergraduate experience, limited to 940 hours in the mandatory component with the remaining 940 hours credited towards the discretionary component. The Translation of Experience Credits Form should reflect only the mandatory hours. Choose which 940 hours are to be credited towards the mandatory component and enter it in the various categories on the Translation Form. The remaining hours will be credited towards discretionary experience and should not be recorded on the Translation Form but rather on Experience Summary Form under Category E, Discretionary, line item 19 Undergraduate Experience. It will not be necessary for this to be re-recorded, or re-signed by the employer, simply reference the discretionary hours under Category E, complete the Intern Identification on the front cover, sign, and attach this to the original submission. |
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A number of deficiencies are encountered which result in delay in processing because submissions must be returned for completion or clarification:
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