Photo credit: Tracy Armstrong. Venue credit: InformprojectsTheArchitectural Institute of British Columbiahas transitioned its achievement awards to theArchitectural Foundation of BC (AFBC). Since 2021, the rebranded AFBC has undertaken the program which includes the Lieutenant Governor Awardsan institution that the AIBC had run for several decades. Kudos must go to the AFBC board for their ongoing efforts to which we can now add theAFBC Architectural Achievement Awards, having had its inaugural launch on November 21st in the Vancouver Railtown District.Sitting next to Vancouvers bustling port, thevenuewas generously provided for by Nancy and Niels Bendsten atInform, offering a peek at their recently renovatedInform Projectsshowroom next to theAmerican Can Companybuilding. Located on the sixth floor and facing the port and waterfront, the reno was itself the recipient of aLieutenant GovernorAward in 2023 forOMB Architects. With several prominent members of Vancouvers architectural community receiving awards, the turnout was a packed house despite the evenings inclement weather.Photo credit: Tracy Armstrong. Venue credit: InformprojectsWith AIBC board members Michelle Fenton and Kim Barnsley as emcees for the evening, AFBC Chair Karl Gustavson said a few opening words about theFoundation, after which the evenings program began with a land acknowledgment and Coast Salish performance byCoastal Wolf Pack. Six awards were then given out in total, two of which were for recipients unable to receive them in 2020 due to COVID restrictions:2020 Award RecipientsAbdel Munem Amin Barbara Dalrymple Memorial Award (not in attendance)Nick Milkovich Lifetime Achievement (attended)2024 Award RecipientsNancy Mackin Community Stewardship(attended)Darryl Condon Barbara Dalrymple Memorial Award for Community Service (attended)Peter Cardew Lifetime Achievement (awarded posthumously)William R. Rhone Lifetime Achievement (attended)The evening provided those representatives present from Vancouvers architecture and design firms the opportunity to honour these six individuals and allow their friends and family to see the impact their careers have had on our Little Village by the Sea. It was a privilege to be sitting next to both Bill Rhone and Nick Milkovich, two individuals whose careers have touched any architect who has lived and worked in BC. It was also a delight to see the projects Nancy Mackin had brought to share, along with the impact that her stewardship has had on the communities shes worked with.As Treasurer of the AIBC Council (now Board) in 2018, I was fortunate to have served alongside one of the evenings recipients, Darryl Condon, who for many years led theInstitute, and continues to lead along with the other principals athcma. We chatted afterward that his award was not a lifetime achievement award because he is very much still in mid-stride.On a more serious note, the evenings most somber moment came in the posthumous award to the latePeter Cardew, who we sadly lost during COVID-19. Along with the projects of Milkovich and Rhone, these three constitute a lions share of architectural achievement in Metro Vancouver. Nick Milkovich was honoured for his own firms work along with his lifelong collaboration withArthur Erickson, while Bill Rhone was awarded for his firmRhone & Iredalewhere Peter Cardew also workedand itself a titan firm in its day.It was overall a generous evening hosted by the AFBC, and we can look forward to other future achievement awards in between the bi-annualLieutenant Governorawards. As Karl Gustavson noted in his opening comments, both architects and architecture need a voice in Metro Vancouver and the province. With the rebranding of the AFBC in 2021, very much in anticipation of the Professional Governance Act replacing the BC Architects Act, theFoundationcurrently has the opportunity to be that voice. To provide not just awards programs but scholarships, walking tours, and perhapsas Karl hintedeven a return ofArchitecture in Schools.One may ask where is Vancouvers architecture centre? Recently visiting Montreal, it occurred to me they have called the CCA theCanadianCentreforArchitectureso there is no mistaking it there. And in Toronto, for many years theDesign Exchangewas run by theToronto Society of Architectsand the de facto centre of architecture in TO (sadly shuttered in 2019). So, where is Vancouvers? For some time there was theAIBC Architecture Centre, but with it closing its doors in 2020 perhaps the AFBC can look to locate somewhere in 2025.Photo credit: Tracy Armstrong. Venue credit: InformprojectsOur country is vast, and our provincial architectural associations can only do so much given their regulatory mandate. And national organizations like theRAICandCACBcannot possibly provide for everyone given limited staff and resources to support local advocacy for each metropolitan area. It is up to each of us, with boots on the ground in our local architectural communities, to advocate whether to write a piece like this one or attend an event like theAchievement Awards. Local architects and designers can each do their part by being present for our profession. Those who came out this past rainy November night to 411 Railway Street did just that, and congratulations again to all the evenings award recipients!For more information on the event go toArchitectural Awards of Excellence AFBC, and view the evenings photo galleryhere.Sean Ruthenis a Metro Vancouver-based architect.The post AFBC Architectural Achievement Awards Round-Up appeared first on Canadian Architect.