Shall I write no more forever?*

City Conversation #112: My words and I are under threat.

Small excerpt from the complaint filed against me August 25, 2022

Late last month I was about to post my latest City Conversation before going on a wonderful vacation that brought me home three days ago. But I decided not to post it. Nor will I be posting many Conversations for the next while. Why? Because I and my writing are under threat.

My unpublished post concerned a specific Vancouver project proposal I and many others are concerned about. In this case the issues for me are excessive floor to floor height for the number of storeys proposed and the resulting negative  impacts on neighbours—the kind of urban design and planning issues I have often written about these past two years.

Let me explain about the threat against me. Almost 10 months ago, during the Vancouver municipal election, a prominent Vancouver Architect filed a complaint of professional misconduct against me with my professional association, the Architectural Institute of BC (AIBC). The substance of the complaint is reproduced below:

“During the recent public discussions and debates about the City of Vancouver’s Broadway Planning process I became concerned about the level of discourse and accusations of information/misinformation that were being made in social media and other communications. Some of it centred around comments and blog posts made by an Architect, Mr. Brian Palmquist, Architect AIBC. I reviewed some of the information that was shared and became concerned about the level of fairness in some of the statements he made in relation to the various images and renderings he posted, while attributing them to [name redacted by me, the gentleman who prepared the computer renderings based on my analyses]. To me, and to other Architects I spoke with, the images may be misleading.

While I am not certain that Mr. Palmquist crossed a line of professional conduct I think the issue, particularly as it became a very public debate, needs review. It is my view that it is in the public interest to review the nature of Mr. Palmquist’s statements. The public, and the profession, will benefit from greater clarity on this issue.“

Please know that the AIBC investigates all complaints against its members, regardless of origin or merit. It has the power to dismiss this complaint, sanction me, fine me and make me pay their investigation costs and/or remove me from the registry of Architects for as long as it sees fit—serious stuff. Although I am semi-retired, I am still doing some work that requires me to be registered, so my modest livelihood is definitely under threat.

I wrote a lengthy defence of my writing, sending it to AIBC on October 3^rd, still amidst the municipal election campaign—my response was delayed a bit as I was down with COVID September 4-18.

I will not bore you with the details of my response. Suffice it to say I am a professional and stand by all that I write. Actual rezoning applications and proposals that have been tabled since the Broadway Plan was adopted are consistent with what I have published in 13 City Conversations that have touched on the Broadway Plan.

I frankly expected the complaint to be dismissed out of hand as vexatious—but no. The wheels of administrative justice grind slowly. The AIBC’s Investigations Committee assigned one of its members to lead the investigation. Unfortunately, that nominee’s firm has major involvement in the Broadway Plan, which conflict of interest I pointed out. AIBC then proposed an external investigator, who is a Principal in a firm that is designing major projects under the Broadway Plan, which conflict of interest I also pointed out. The Committee’s third choice of Investigator is an Architect who appears to have no conflicts, and I agreed to them. It was now January of 2023, about five months after the complaint was filed.

The Investigator has never contacted me for further information or discussion. After requesting an update in late April, I now receive a monthly email update from AIBC which says that the investigation is ongoing. Period.

So back to the question in the title of this post. I am worried for my livelihood and my reputation, so will be somewhat self-censoring until the matter is concluded, whenever that may be. Until I know whether my writing has transgressed some bylaw or policy, I write under the continuing threat of  professional censure. 

I will keep readers apprised as/when my situation is resolved and what that looks like. I may ask for your moral support at a later date. Meantime, enjoy your summer!

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*With apologies to Chief Joseph of the New Perce Indian Band, who said in 1877 on the occasion of his surrender to US soldiers just 40 miles shy of the Canadian border, where he and his remaining people were fleeing after a 1700-mile fighting retreat from their homelands: “From where the sun now stands I will fight no more forever.”

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in order to remain in touch at least until the complaint against me is resolved.

Brian Palmquist is a Vancouver-based architect, building envelope and building code consultant and LEED Accredited Professional (the first green building system). He is semi-retired for the moment, still teaching, writing and consulting a bit, but not beholden to any client or city hall. These conversations mix real discussion with research and observations based on a 45+ year career including the planning, design and construction of almost every type and scale of project. He is the author of the Amazon best seller and AIBC Construction Administration course text, “An Architect’s Guide to Construction.” and working on a book about how we can accommodate a growing population in the cities we love.