ACE Thematic areas & work groups

In pursuit of its overarching mission, ACE prioritises 4 key thematic areas that hold particular significance for the architectural profession across Europe: Access to the profession, Practice of the Profession, Achieving quality in Architecture / Baukultur, Research & Development.

1. Access to the Profession

   A major policy objective is to simplify and boost the cross-border mobility of the architectural profession by facilitating the establishment and service provision of Architects across Europe.

   Learn more about the scope of work and activities of our Work Groups:

   1. Professional Qualifications Directive, Professional Practice Experience and Continuing Professional Development Work Group (PQD-PPE-CPD WG)
   2. Regulatory Questions & Issues Work Group (RQI WG)

2. Practice to the Profession

   In this area of focus, the ACE addresses key issues impacting registered European architects, including public procurement, insurance requirements for cross-border practices, and digitalisation.

   Learn more about the scope of work and activities of our Work Groups:

   1. Innovation in Architecture Work Group (IA WG)
   2. Women in Architecture Task Force (WIA TF)
   3. Practice Committee Working Group (PC WG)
   4. Internationalisation & New Business Models Task Force (IBM TF)
   5. Public Procurement & Architectural Design Contests (PP & ADC)
   6. Building Information Modelling Work Group (BIM WG)

3. High-quality architecture & built environment/ Baukultur

   In the context of global warming, where building energy consumption accounts for 40% of Europe’s total energy needs, ACE emphasises the importance of exploring new legislative, political, and financial mechanisms at both EU and national levels to foster a more sustainable built environment. Through this thematic Area 3, the Architects’ Council of Europe seeks to promote the role of architects in achieving architectural quality and responsible design.

   Learn more about the scope of work and activities of our Work Groups:

   1. Natural and Man-made Disasters Task Force (Disasters TF)
   2. Urban and Housing Transformation Working Group (UHT WG)
   3. Heritage Working Group (Heritage WG)
   4. Peer-Learning Group on Architectural Awards (PLG AA)
   5. Environment and Sustainable Architecture Working Group (ESA WG)

4. Research & Development

   This fourth pillar is designed as a platform and method to engage, coordinate, and monitor synergies among all participants in ACE’s thematic areas, facilitating the execution of specific tasks assigned to the three working groups: EU-funded Projects, New European Bauhaus Activities, and Relations with Other Countries.

   Learn more about the scope of work and activities of our Work Groups:

   1. Solidarity for Ukraine Task Force (Ukraine TF)
   2. EU – Funded Research Projects Working Group (Projects WG)
   3. New European Bauhaus Working Group (NEB WG)