This spring, with the support of Creative Europe, the Architects’ Council of Europe launched A View from Above: Comparing Public Procurement Guidelines for Architects — a comprehensive overview of architectural procurement practices across Europe.

Developed by ACE’s Public Procurement & Architectural Design Competition Work
Group (PP/ADC WG) and compiled by Co-Chair, Kathrin Rapp, this study brings
together key insights from national public procurement guidelines tailored specifically
to the architectural profession: “Improving public procurement procedures is not only about changing the law, but also about improving the application of the law. Therefore, tools like the guidelines play an important role that should not be underestimated”.

The publication responds to the European Commission’s 2018 Public Procurement
Guidance for Practitioners—a valuable resource, but one not focused on the unique
needs of the architectural sector. To bridge this gap, ACE reviewed and compared
procurement guidelines from five Member Organisations: Denmark, France,
Germany, Latvia, and Sweden.

What’s inside?

• A synthesis of common best practices and recurring themes across national
  guidelines;
• Seven core elements identified as essential for architectural procurement, each
  acknowledged by at least two national frameworks;
• Translated versions of the national guidances.

issuu.com/acecae/docs/a_view_from_above_comparing_public_procurement_gu↗

Who is this for?
This publication is a practical resource designed to:

• Inspire countries revising or drafting procurement guidance for architectural
  services;
• Assist local authorities and planners in refining procurement processes;
• Encourage more meaningful inclusion of architects in public procurement.

Please note: Specific procedural recommendations are not included due to significant variation between Member States. For those, see our companion publication on Open vs. Restricted Procedures.

From Denmark’s concise 2-page summary to Germany’s comprehensive 93-page guide, A View from Above offers valuable perspectives for all stakeholders involved in architectural procurement.
“The seven identified core elements for such a guideline were recognized as such by at least two guides, which is why they were classified as particularly important.” (page 1)

READ IT ON ISSUU.

🇩🇰 Denmark: “The Danish guide gives a simple list: documentation requirements
should be minimised in the pre-qualification phase, so that only the winning
bidder is required to provide documentation (also in relation to filling out the
ESPD).“ (Page 4)

🇫🇷 France: “The French guide points out that the professionalism of the project
manager, the choice of the architect and his team, and the means granted to
him are crucial for the quality of the architectural production.” (Page 3)
Germany: “The German guide recommends dividing services into lots,
according to their type or speciality, in order to consider the interests of
SMEs.“ (Page 3)

🇱🇻 Latvia: “The Latvian guide points out that there are also strategic objectives
such as sustainability, social responsibility or innovation to be followed.”
(Page 3)

🇸🇪 Sweden: “The Swedish guide clarifies that sustainability, and quality should
not be subject to short-term economic considerations and that knowledge of
architecture, form and design should be developed and disseminated.” (Page
3)

Colophon:
Title: A View from Above: Comparing Public
Procurement Guidelines for Architects
Authors: Katarina O’Cofaigh & Kathrin Rapp, ACE
Public Procurement & Architectural Design
Contests (PP & ADC) Work Group Chairs with the
support of the PP/ ADC WG
Publisher: ACE
Year of Publication: 2025
Design & Layout: Red& Grey

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.