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ADC evaluation tool for Architectural Design Competitions | Architects

Evaluate your plans to realize an architectural design competition (ADC) answering the following questions. The evaluation system takes into account ACE’s 9 rules for ADCs. Fair and transparent competition rules and organisation form the basis for a process resulting in concepts with high architectural quality. Even though ADCs seem to be more complex at first sight, data shows that timeframes can be shorter and project budgets economically more efficient in comparison with other forms of procurement.

At the end of the questionnaire, the evaluation of your ADC based on your answers is visualized in a diagram providing explanations.

Please provide us with some basic information before answering a short questionnaire (approximately 5 min), so we can provide you with an individualized analysis diagram by sending you a link to the results via email.

* Mandatory
Is the content of the ADC defined by a comprehensive description of the task in the competition documents? *
Is there a turnover threshold? And if yes, is your practice fulfilling the turnover threshold? *
Based on the projects you or your office have already implemented: Does the ADC require extensive reference projects? *
Do you consider the competition structure/organization to be sufficiently anonymous in all phases of the ADC? *
Is the jury sufficiently staffed with architectural experts (architects and/or other people professionally involved in architecture)? *
Are the client’s intentions defined, especially with regard to the type, scope and time frame for the provision of the service? *
Does the client make a binding commitment to commission the planning team of the winning project to implement it? *
Is appropriate prize money planned for the top-ranked competition projects? *
Do you estimate the depth of elaboration required in the ADC to be proportionate? *
Is the protection of copyrights and exploitation rights specified in the competition documents? *
* Mandatory
Do you or your office already have experience taking part in ADCs outside your home country? *
Are you or other team members familiar with the local language in the country where the project is to be planned? *
Are you or other team members familiar with the building regulations and/or other relevant planning regulations on site? *
Is the ADC system very different from that of your home country? *
Can you count on a professional network on site for any collaborations? *
How does the fee level in the country of the advertised project compare to that of your current business focus? *
Do you or your office meet the requirements to complete a PII (Professional Indemnity Insurance) in the ADC country? *
* Mandatory
Is the amount of time spent participating in the ADC relatively large or small compared to your office’s resources? *
Would it mean a significant economic improvement to your office’s situation if you were commissioned with the ADC project? *
Do you expect media attention as a result of a decision in favor of your submission (in case of a commissioning for implementation or a mentioning as a noteworthy project by the jury)? *
If realized, would the project be an important professional reference for you and/or your office? *
* Mandatory

According to your answers the ADC evaluation below was compiled for you. Please consider that this evaluation can only be a helpful aspect in your decision process and neither the Austrian Federal Chamber of Architects and Chartered Engineering Consultants nor the other Arch-E partners assume any liability for direct or indirect damage of any kind, resulting from the use of this tool.

Some WEAKNESSES of the analyzed ADC can be mitigated through support and tools provided by your local chamber of architects or tools provided by ARCH-E. If you are in need of local team members you might want to join the ARCH-E network. Find information on local ADC systems and local architectural institutions on the ARCH-E map

Finding an ADC abroad, that attracts your interest, is a good first step – the ARCH-E map can be a helpful tool for that. The decision to invest time and concentration on a participation can be based on general parameters, indicating the ADC’s procedural characteristics, and on individual strengths and weaknesses. The following questionnaire offers some help in the decision process resulting in a ADC evaluation based on your answers. Please consider that due to its general approach this tool can only be an aspect of your decision process.

If you are interested in precise definitions of some of the criteria mentioned in the questionnaire feel welcome to look up terms in the ARCH-E glossary. As many termini technici are defined differently according to the country’s regulations and other frameworks, the ARCH-E glossary is not a mere dictionary but takes into account these national peculiarities.

ARCH-E is a multifaceted project to be realized until 2026. As the project – its studies, the collaboration between the involved partners, know-how transfer with other cooperation partners and projects – evolves, also the online tools are refined constantly. For this reason the ADC evaluation tool is work in progress, return soon to use further functionality and features.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

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