ACE Sector Study
The reference tool for the architectural profession in Europe
Drawing on responses from 28,000 architects across 29 European countries, the 2024 edition of the Study has been expanded with new research areas, making it the most comprehensive analysis of the architectural profession in Europe. It serves as an indispensable reference for anyone interested in architecture and the built environment.
The profession is approaching gender parity, women now represent 45% of professionals. Most architects work full-time, and a significant portion, 46%, are practice owners or principals, many operating as small, independent firms. More work as Principals now compared with 10 years ago. The European construction market is valued at €2 600 billion and architect practices have a 1 per cent share of this, generating total practice turnover of €26 billion. Private housing dominates this sector, representing over half of architectural work. However, rising uncertainty has dampened outlooks, with 37% of architects expecting decreased workloads in the coming year, against 19% anticipating more work.
ACE
Observatory
The online platform dedicated to the architectural profession in Europe
ACE has recently launched a new web platform dedicated to the architectural profession. The purpose is to provide a single entry point through which users can search, access and compare a multitude of statistical information regarding European Architects, the architectural market and practices in Europe.
The ACE Observatory is built using filters allowing users to choose to view data for a particular country or look at figures for a particular practice size. The ACE Observatory is designed to complement the ACE Sector study, providing extra depth. It has been designed for use by ACE Member Organisations, individual architects and anyone wanting to research the profession.

In the Spotlight
A View from Above: Comparing Public Procurement Guidelines for Architects
A view from Above – April edition
This study brings together key insights from national public procurement guidelines.
June 2, 2025
Publications
- Category
- ACE Eu-funded project publication
- ACE Publications
- Davos Baukultur
- EU publications
- Topic
- A.I- Artificial Intelligence
- Annual report
- ARCH-E
- Architectural policy
- Architecture Design Competition -ADC
- Awards
- BIM
- Design governance processes
- Digitalisation
- Equality, diversity and inclusion – EDI
- EU policies
- Export
- Good practices
- Gouvernance
- High quality architecture
- International collaboration
- Legal framework
- New business models
- New European Bauhaus
- public procurement
- Retrospective
- Sector study
- Sustainability
- Value
- Thematic Scope
- Access to the Profession
- Achieving quality in Architecture / Baukultur
- Practice of the Profession
- Research & Development
- Date
- 2025
- 2024
- 2023
- 2022
- 2021
- 2020
- 2019
- 2018
ACE Eu-funded project publication
The ARCH-E White Paper
Recommendations for Quality-based Procurement Processes by Using Architectural Design Competitions.
ACE Eu-funded project publication
The ARCH-E Map on ADCs
The ARCH-E Map on ADCs gives an extensive overview of ADC systems in Europe.
ACE Eu-funded project publication
The ARCH-E Architects’ Needs Report
The Architects’ Needs Report aims to assess experiences, challenges, and opportunities related to Architectural Design Competitions.
ACE Publications
New publication: Quality of Life + Architecture
At the heart of this publication is a clear message: architecture is a public responsibility.
In the Spotlight
ACE Study on Architectural Policies in Europe
Revised 2nd Edition of the ACE Study on Architectural Policies in Europe
This updated edition reflects the latest developments in policy frameworks and institutional actors driving the implementation of architectural policies across the continent.
May 27, 2025
EU Architectural policies
- Country
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- France
- Finland
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Malta
- Luxembourg
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Ukraine
- Republic of North Macedonia
- Montenegro
- Kosovo
- United Kingdom
- Date
- 2024
- 2022
- 2021
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2012
- 2011
- 2010
- 2009
- 2008
- 2007
- 2005
- 2004
- 2002
- 2000
- 1998
- 1997