E-procurement delivering better design competitions

A key question in the built environment is how society acquires best architectural quality appropriately, and at good value, and how architects best serve and engage these needs sustainably. In public architectural competitions, the successful relationship between delivery and end product, and the alignment of processes, briefs and parties are recognised to be significant factors in unlocking better value and opportunities. For all design professionals as practical stakeholders, it’s equally important that when competing to win work, that they consider it is won fairly, on design merit, is well briefed and capable of delivering our culture, clients and industry the best value sustainable architecture.
This architectural culture is profoundly determined by the strategic policy and regulatory framework of public competitions, which practicing architects have generally failed to fully engage. In these a lack of clarity and transparency, along with excessive time, cost and complexity, have contributed to this disenfranchisement and disillusionment; and the alienation from the processes of so many among society, clients and industry. If progress is to be delivered, and better environmental outcomes achieved from public architectural competitions, then fuller and more pro-active engagement is required with better facilitation of the means to achieve this.