The UIA promotes excellence in architecture, sustainability and cultural diversity. In 1956, delegations of practicing architects from all over the world drew up a set of standard regulations for international competitions in architecture and urban planning, which UNESCO subsequently ratified. Since then, the UIA International Competitions have resulted in some of the most iconic edifices of the 20th century.
The UIA International Competitions Commission Co-Director Regina Gonthier (Switzerland) will host an open forum discussion. The session will open with a presentation on the current and past work of the ICC presenting how the mutual understanding about the essence of architectural competitions is carried forward, serving both eager and skillful participants and clients with a vision.
The history of UIA competitions is not only a legacy that must be passed on, but a proof of a working tool to find new solutions to global challenges and open up opportunities.
The ICC session will also include a presentation of UIA endorsed international ARCH-E project, forming a European Platform for Architectural Design Competitions.
The main objective of Arch-E is to promote high-quality architectural solutions for the built environment by increasing the use of high quality architectural design competitions (ADC) in Europe. The project is an active step by the profession towards increasing the mobility of Architects and – also with the support of the UIA ICC – enhancing the quality of architectural design competitions throughout Europe.
The Arch-E online platform will provide a wide range of information on architectural design competition systems and thus facilitate transnational participation.