In other parts of the world, architecture is studied, considered, debated and revered by young and old alike. Here in B.C., it ought to arouse the levels of passion and excitement that we have for our local hockey team, but doesn’t.

We can spend 10 to 12 waking hours in buildings every day. They affect and inspire us. When we work in an environment we appreciate, we perform better.

When we live in a home we enjoy, we’re happier. When our buildings enhance our geography, both natural and urban, we see delight and take pride in our communities. I encourage everyone to take a moment to appreciate and embrace the buildings in our urban landscape, and consider what they contribute to the built environment.

Without a doubt, we in B.C. are influenced by our spectacular and unique natural surroundings.

It is also undeniable that we simply like to do things differently out here.

B.C. architects continue to push the envelope, trying to raise the architectural bar. This isn’t to diminish, in any way, the extraordinary contribution of the profession elsewhere in the country and around the world. Every region has its own architectural language that reflects the varied communities that make up the fabric of our planet. I like to think, however, that B.C. architects are truly unique. Green buildings, carbon-neutral communities, technological innovation, integration, connectivity and livability are all characteristics that have come to define made-in B.C. architecture.

The province’s architects have been busy creating a vision for the future that is the envy of many.

We have a higher ratio of LEED registered buildings compared to other provinces.

In this modern world of cross-feeding, sharing and knocking down barriers, B.C. architects feed the collective imagination and foster global connections, regardless of the local architectural language.

That isn’t to say that we can rest on our laurels. Far from it.

The great steps we’ve taken to date are only a modest beginning towards architectural sustainability. A lot more is still to come.

At its core, architecture is really about community. It shapes our communities, not just how they look, but how they function and how we, as citizens, are able to live together. It shapes our thinking and our behavior. It is a physical extension of who we are as a society. For that reason alone, it warrants a second look.

This commitment to community, cultural values and design excellence reveals another cornerstone of the profession: public interest.

Unlike many professions, architecture isn’t merely about the bottom line. It is a self-regulated profession, which brings with it a clear commitment to protecting the public interest and doing what is best for society. The AIBC exists to protect that public interest.

This means making responsible decisions and holding ourselves to the highest of professional standards. The fact that B.C. architects are able to do so, while carving out a growing international reputation for excellence and innovation, is impressive.

I am confident that by the end of Architecture Week, the public will have a greater awareness and appreciation for both architects and architecture here on the left edge of our continent.

Pierre E. Gallant, MAIBC, FIRAC, AAA, is the president of the AIBC.

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