Building regulations are in place for many good reasons, including keeping residents and first responders safe. At the end of 2023, the BC Government announced adjustments to the Building Code. They are aiming to “right-size” the code, mostly through seismic and accessibility provisions. But, with ambitious housing supply goals, are the proposed reforms enough or are the years of accrued regulations getting in the way of good and affordable housing design?
Pro
Khash Vorell, Engineer, Building Code Consultant, Managing Principal GHL
Inge Roecker, Architect AIBC and Associate Professor, SALA, UBC
Con
Rick Cheung, Assistant Chief Fire Protection Engineer, Vancouver Fire Rescue Services, City of Vancouver
Richard Matthews, Assistant Chief, Building Department, City of North Vancouver
Moderator
Frances Bula
Sponsors: Pacific Capital Real Estate Group, Rositch Hemphill Architects, Staburn Group