QUESTION OF THE MONTH

Are you more involved in renovations or new build? Answere here

Result of last question: Have you ever used BIM in any of your architectural projects? 70% replied negatively.

ACE INTERVIEW

Interview with Barbara Ettinger-Brinckmann, President of the Bundesarchitektenkammer (BAK). Read more

ACE NEWS

Madrid Leaders’ Summit: Bringing the building sector together to deliver a renovation revolution

On 20-21 September, six ACE delegates took part in the Madrid Leaders’ Summit, hosted by the Colegio Oficial de Arquitectos de Madrid (COAM). The event was organised in the framework of the BUILD UPON project and gathered 170 experts from central and local governments, construction companies, financing institutions, research institutes and non-profit associations. Read more

ACE response to DG GROW consultation on the proposal to introduce a Services Passport

In furtherance of the Single Market Strategy published in October 2015, DG GROW launched, in May 2016, a consultation on a proposal to introduce a Services Passport and address regulatory barriers in the construction and business services sectors. The Architects' Council of Europe's response gives its position on these issues. Read more

ACE reaction to DG GROW consultation on start-up

In May, DG GROW launched a public consultation to seek feedback from stakeholders on how to improve the environment for start-ups. ACE circulated  guidelines and recommendations to its Member Organisations to support their responses to this consultation, in particular with respect to issues relating to the life-cycle of a company. Read more

ACE response to DG GROW consultation on the Regulation of Professions

In August, the ACE submitted to DG GROW a commentary on the public consultation on the Regulation of Professions and Member States' National Action Plans (NAPs). This consultation was part of the mutual evaluation exercise arising from Article 59 of the new Professional Qualification Directive (PQD). It gave stakeholders the opportunity to comment on NAPs and how to assess the proportionality of regulation of professions. Read more

ACE publishes a suite of 8 policy positions in support of the ACE Manifesto

In early 2014, ACE released a Manifesto for the European Parliament elections, calling on candidates to commit to promoting responsible architecture, advancing highest professional standards and optimising professional mobility. Last June, ACE published a suite of 8 policy positions developing in more detail the points made in this Manifesto. Read more:

ACE signes a Memorandum of Understanding with the Korean Institute of Registered Architects (KIRA)

During the summer, ACE has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Korea Institute of Registered Architects (KIRA). The MoU is designed to reinforce collaboration between ACE and KIRA. Read the MoU 

High-Level Round-Table on Energy Efficiency, Brussels, 22 June 2016       

On 22 June 2016, the Directorate-General for Energy organised a High Level Round-Table to discuss with stakeholders energy efficiency issues and the transition towards a low-carbon economy , focusing mainly on the building sector. The discussion was opened by Mr Canete, Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy – he recalled that by the end of 2016 the Commission will propose  an Energy Efficiency Package, which will make the EU regulatory framework coherent with the 2030 objectives. Read more

 EU NEWS

The EU Commission proposes the signature and conclusion of the EU-Canada trade deal

On 5 July, the EU Commission formally proposed to the Council of the EU the signature and conclusion of the free trade agreement between the EU and Canada, known as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). By cutting almost all customs duties, this Agreement is expected to boost trade in services between the EU and Canada. Read more
    
Energy Union and Climate Action: Driving Europe’s transition to a low-carbon economy 

In 2014, the EU agreed to collectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40% compared to 1990 levels across all sectors of the economy by 2030. On 20 July, the EU Commission presented a package of measures to accelerate the transition to low-carbon emissions in all sectors of the economy. They include binding annual greenhouse gas emissions targets for Member States from 2021-2030 for the transport, buildings, agriculture, waste, land-use and forestry sectors. Read more

European Construction Sector Observatory : 10 Country Fact Sheets and 20 Policy Fact Sheets now available
    
The European Construction Sector Observatory (ECSO) is a 3-year action aiming at informing European policy-makers and stakeholders about market conditions and policy developments in the construction sector in the 28 EU countries, through regular analysis and comparative assessments. Visit the ECSO website
    
Other EU News:

Business mission on Construction & Building Technologies, Seoul, 6-10 February 2017

Commission proposes 2018 as the European Year of Cultural Heritage

EU final energy consumption below 2020 targets

Commission’s Recommendations for the promotion of nearly zero-energy buildings (NZEB)

Brexit – The EU Commission and Parliament appoint representatives for Brexit matters

Modernisation of the EU Copyright Rules

Free movement of professionals: Commission urges Member States to transpose EU rules on recognition of professional qualifications

 MEMBERS' NEWS

Successful speed date with Norwegian architect offices and international press
    
17 ambitious architect offices met with 20 international journalists during the Oslo Architecture Triennale in September. The Association of Consulting Architects in Norway organised the speed date and invited the members to join in. The Triennale invited the journalists in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign affairs. Read more​

Luxembourg: Training courses for architects and consulting engineers

On 19 September 2016, 350 architects and consulting engineers were invited by the Order of Architects and Consulting Engineers of Luxembourg (OAI) and the House of Training to receive from Francine Closener, Secretary of State for Economy, their participation certificates for the 2015-2016 edition of the OAI professions training cycle. This cycle is organised around five themes: History of architecture in Luxembourg; Health and wellbeing; Office and project management; Sustainable construction and energy issues; Construction materials. Since 2003, nearly 3,500 people have been trained. The 2016-2017 training program is already available and registration are open.

France: 1st National Days of Architecture

The Minister of Culture and Communication, Audrey Azoulay, announced the launch of the first National Days of Architecture, designed to "gradually enter the landscape of cultural events arranged by the Ministry of Culture, like the Music Day, the European Heritage Days or the European Night of Museums". Read more
    
France adopts a new law on Freedom of Creation, Architecture and Heritage

In June 2016, the French National Assembly and the Senate adopted a new Law on the Freedom of Creation, Architecture and Heritage (LCAP law), which includes a chapter on "Architectural Quality". Read more

Spain: ‘Alternativas / Alternatives’ exhibition
    
‘Alternativas / Alternatives’ exhibition was opened at the Palace of Carlos V in La Alhambra (Granada) on 19 July 2016. The exhibition shows the selection of the best works of the 13th Spanish Architecture and Urbanism Biennial (BEAU) in the following categories: architectural works and interventions; research and dissemination and students’ end-of-course projects. Read more

Re-election of the BAK´s president Barbara Ettinger-Brinckmann and vice presidents

On 17 September the General Assembly of the Federal Chamber of German Architects (BAK) has re-elected Barbara Ettinger-Brinckmann as BAK president for another four years term. Equally, BAK vice president Prof. Ralf Niebergall, head of the Architects´ Delegation Germany, was confirmed in his position, as well as Joachim Brenncke and Martin Müller.

At the moment the ACE is involved in five EU funded research projects. All projects relate to the building sector and address issues related to sustainability, energy efficiency, renovation, innovative materials and technologies. Through these ACE seeks to promote the architects’ role in building sustainably and energy retrofitting:

EU PROJECTS

• iNSPiRe- Tackling high-energy consumption
• A2PBEER - Energy Efficient Retrofitting of Public Buildings
• ERASMUS+ - Confronting Wicked Problems: Adapting Architectural Education to the New Situation in Europe
• PROF / TRAC - Open Education Platform for Continuing Professional Development on NZEBs (Nearly Zero Energy Buildings)
• ABRACADABRA - Assistant Buildings’ addition to Retrofit, Adopt, Cure And Develop the Actual Buildings up to zeRo energy, Activating market for deep renovation

Read Projects' news and updates

PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS

EU Efficient Buildings study: Public consultation on draft indicator proposals

PUBLICATIONS

Annual Report on the Implementation of the EU - Korea Free Trade Agreement   

EVENTS

GEO-BIM Conference, 24-25 November, Amsterdam   

VARIOUS

SOS - School of Sustainability - based in Bologna, Italy, is an initiative of Mario Cucinella focused on training emerging professionals in the field of sustainability - Website - Brochure

Contact
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