Following our opening conversation with ACE-præsident Daniel Fügenschuh, our series on the renewed ACE Work Groups continues with Peter Hyttel og Bledion Baraliu, Chairs of the Digitalisation Work Group.

From artificial intelligence and BIM to digital standards, data rights and software contracts, the group’s agenda touches on the everyday realities of architectural practice. In this interview, Peter and Bledion share their professional backgrounds, outline their priorities for the next two years and discuss how architects can shape digital change while preserving creativity, professional judgement and freedom of method. They also explain why the experience and active involvement of ACE Member Organisations will be essential to the group’s work.

ACE: Could you briefly introduce yourself and tell us about your professional background?

Peter Hyttel :”I have been part of the ACE Working Group on BIM and Digitalisation since 2015, when my involvement began with the first ACE BIM meeting in Oslo. In my day-to-day role, I work as a part-time consultant for the Danish Association of Architectural Firms, where my areas of expertise include digitalisation and project management.

I have built up my practical experience over more than 20 years at the architectural practice C.F. Møller Architects in Denmark. My expertise is particularly focused on ICT management and the development and implementation of software systems in large organisations. The healthcare sector has been a major part of my professional experience. I see it as a complex puzzle with many interconnected pieces. My knowledge and experience have been developed through the design, development and implementation of ICT platforms supporting the management, design and delivery of major hospital projects in Denmark, Germany, Sweden and Norway.”

Bledion Baraliu: “I am acquainted with ACE, since 2023, when Kosovo, got accepted as an Observing member within the European Architecture Family, as a representative of my Country. From 2026, I am more engaged with ACE, through Co-chairing the Digitalisation, innovation and BIM Workgroup, part of area 2. 

In my daily life, I am an architect, lecturer and writer, leading a team of 20 architects, Lecturing at the University, Advising in certain Boards, Leading the Architects Association of Kosovo, and representing in Regional and International Organisations such as BAF (Balkan Architecture Forum), UIA (International Union of Architects), EU Mies Awards, SHARE Architects etc…”

ACE: What motivated you to become Chair of this Work Group, and what are you most looking forward to contributing?

Peter Hyttel: “It is difficult to point to one single motivating factor. However, one thing stands out as particularly important: my own background.

I started from the bottom and was often the last person to leave when drawings had to be coordinated and uploaded on a Friday evening. In fact, my first job in an architectural practice was to set up a project website to keep track of drawings and documents. From there, I became somewhat obsessed with systems, classification and terminology, ontology, and how to lay the foundations for digitalisation.

To be honest, this journey has been longer than I expected. But more than 20 years in the wilderness of digitalisation and BIM have given me a deep understanding of the processes within our industry and, perhaps most importantly, of the people sitting behind the screens.

Changes and transformation processes should not alienate the people who actually deliver projects. For me, this is an important guiding principle, including in my work within ACE. This principle was shaped through my experience as an Information and Communication Technology leader, developing and implementing BIM and IT systems as part of the design and construction of large hospital projects.

As Chair of ACE, I see one of my most important tasks as helping to strengthen our position on the legal issues arising from digitalisation, copyright and intellectual property rights. This is becoming increasingly relevant as more and more project data are stored in third-party cloud services.

New regulations are being introduced all the time, and standardisation is important to a certain extent. This is one of the reasons why I represent ACE in CEN/TC 442. At the same time, I believe that, as architects, we must defend our freedom to choose our methods – in other words, how we get the job done in a feasible and creative way. Making digital systems work across the building industry supply chain remains a challenge. I want to contribute to strengthening our voice and to developing partnerships and alliances with our sister organisations.

I also want to be open to all the voices within ACE and, hopefully, help create a forum based on trust, openness and constructive dialogue. I have retained “wilderness of digitalisation and BIM” because it gives the text some personality. If this is intended as a speech or presentation for an ACE audience, I would make it slightly more personal and memorable rather than more formal”.

Bledion Baraliu: “I believe architecture is more than design – it is a responsibility to shape communities, empower future generations and drive meaningful progress through innovation. For more than 15 years, I have dedicated my career to advancing architecture through leadership, education, digital transformation and international collaboration.

Through leadership, education and technology, I remain committed to strengthening collaboration between academia, institutions, professional organisations and industry, while promoting innovation, creativity and sustainable architectural solutions. I believe the future of architecture belongs to those willing to lead the change and create lasting social, cultural and technological impact. 

As Co-Chair of ACE Digitalisation Workgroup, I see a real possibility on realizing these goals, making a real impact on the way technology, AI and other factors are impacting architecture, human factor, therefore the whole ecosystem”. 

ACE: What are the Work Group’s main priorities for the next two years? What impact do you hope its work will have on ACE Member Organisations and the wider architectural profession?

Peter Hyttel/ Bledion Baraliu; We have presented a three-point plan, which will be further developed and given more concrete form at our next group meeting. Our focus will be on feasibility.

1) AI

Topics

• Define opportunities and risks for architects 
• Preparation of AI Conference in 2028 (Time, bay, location is coordinated with Lukas)

Delivery (decisions to be taken by assigned participants)

• AI Conference 2028
• guidance for ACE members on how to address the risk of AI use at company and employee level. 
• Guide to value creation, including the use of open AI sources.
• User survey and AI use among ACE members?
• Report on joint meetings in the ACE Digitalisation group

2) CEN TC 442/CENELEC

Topics

• Can Digitalisation and BIM disrupt the profession of Architects
• Possibility to submit a Liaison report or presentation at the biannual plenary meetings of CEN

Delivery (decisions to be taken by assigned participants)

• ACE exerts no influence on standardization work
• ACE Reporting CEN TC442
• Report on joint meetings in the ACE Digitalisation group

3) Legislation and building policy 

Topics

• EU Data ACT
• DBL, DDP
• Software and general terms
• Software, Prices and Monopolys
• NIS2
• COPYRIGHTS, IMMATERIAL RIGHT, DATABASE DIRECTIVE

Delivery (decisions to be taken by assigned participants)

• Dialogue with other professional organizations 
• Dialogue with relevant EU-institutions

• Dialogue with software manufacturers regarding lack of transparency in user condition 
• Guide/Status document on EU initiatives relevant to ACE members
• Report on joint meetings in the ACE Digitalisation group

What do you see as the biggest challenge or opportunity in this area for architects across Europe? What developments should architects and practices prepare for, and how can the profession respond?

Peter Hyttel: “I see freedom of method as a fundamental right. It is not only important in relation to the individual but also represents a fundamental value for Europe as a whole.

If we look specifically at the use of technology – including the acronym BIM and, increasingly, the use of AI – I see a risk and an undesirable tendency for the method to become more important than the product.

My starting point is that architects are, fundamentally, users and consumers of tools and software. Our product is design, planning, project design and management processes involved in the creation of physical buildings and infrastructure, and so on.

More broadly, it is becoming increasingly important for architects to understand the implications of the contractual and technical terms and forms of collaboration they enter into.

This concerns who is responsible for designing what, and to what level of detail. It also concerns software formats and digital delivery requirements.

The increasing reuse of existing buildings will also create a need to update scopes of services concerning the Digitalisation of the existing building stock, as well as the allocation of responsibilities between the different technical disciplines”.

Bledion Baraliu: “Living in the Artificial Intelligence era, makes us wonder how humanity will move forward. The Most important task, would be to shape, control and use AI carefully and properly, within the human needs. AI doesn’t grow conscience, and that is one of the most irreplaceable things that we as homo sapiens have. This is why the decision making process should remain always human, and we should utilize technology, AI and its advantages as tools/partners to improve better, achieve more and develop sustainably our planet”. 

What message would you like to share with ACE Member Organisations? How can members contribute to the Work Group’s activities, and why is their engagement important?

Peter Hyttel/ Bledion Baraliu: “We are not the Tower of Mordor – our eyes don´t see everything.

Please write to us if you have matters that you believe ACE should be aware of.”