QUESTION OF THE MONTH

Does BIM make the practice of your profession as an architect easier? 

Answer here

Result of last question: Do you support the development of an EU Building Passport?

41.5% Yes

58.5% No

Interview with Alex Torpiano, President of the Kamra tal-Periti KTP, Malta

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ACE NEWS

• EDUCATION and PRACTICE – THE FUTURE ARCHITECT Joint ACE-EAAE Symposium in coordination with CNAPPC

The Symposium “Education and Practice – The Future Architect” - jointly organised by the Architects’ Council of Europe (ACE) and the European Association for Architectural Education (EAAE), in collaboration with the CNAPPC (Consiglio Nazionale degli Architetti, Pianificatori, Paesaggisti e Conservatori) – will be dedicated to the relationship of architectural education and the practice of architecture.

The symposium will start by exploring how young professionals are educated and prepared in the light of the rapidly changing practice of architecture, and how the nature of architecture itself could adapt to this "new reality". The second session will investigate the future of profession and how contemporary practising architects and educators can influence the future development of the discipline. Thanks to the presence of international speakers, the final session will consider what expanding globalisation means for the relevance, resilience, responsibility and role of architects. Read more

• ACE feedback on the Services Package

In March, ACE submitted its positions on the Commission’s legislative proposals that form the Services Package, through the procedure provided by the Commission that allows citizens and stakeholders to give online feedback on legislative proposals. Read more

• Clean Energy Package – Revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD)

In March, ACE finalised a draft policy position and draft amendments to the Commission’s proposal for the revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). ACE is committed to work with the European Council and Parliament for a greater recognition of the role of architecture in delivering a step change in building performance and in the uptake of energy efficiency retrofits of the existing building stock. Read more

• ACE calls for ambitious national renovation strategies and reiterates its recommendations for the regeneration of the EU building stock

To coincide with Member States' requirement to notify updated strategies for the renovation of their building stock to the EU Commission by 30 April 2017, the Architects’ Council of Europe (ACE) reiterates its recommendations for the regeneration of the EU building stock and calls for ambitious national strategies. Read more

• ACE-BAK Panel Discussion at the EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW)

In the framework of the 2017 European Sustainable Energy Week, the Architects’ Council of Europe and the Federal Chamber of German Architects (BAK) are organising a panel discussion on the theme “Architecture: Towards a Step Change in Building Performance”. Read more

• The economic impact of different regulatory approaches on the architectural sector in Europe

The European Centre for Liberal Professions (EuZFB) of the University of Cologne recently published an independent study on the economic impact of different regulatory approaches on the architectural sector in Europe. As the Parliament and the Council of the EU prepare to start discussing the Commission’s legislative package on services, the Architects’ Council of Europe (ACE) welcomes this study which sheds new light on the economic impact of regulation on the architectural profession. Read more

EU NEWS

• Juncker presented a White Paper on the Future of Europe

On 1 March, as announced in President Juncker's 2016 State of the Union speech, the European Commission presented a White Paper on the Future of Europe, which constitutes the Commission's contribution to the Rome Summit of 25 March 2017. Like all anniversaries, this will be a natural time to reflect on the success of the last 60 years. Read more

• EU Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards 2017: 29 winners announced from 18 countries

The European Commission and Europa Nostra revealed the winners of the 2017 European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards, Europe’s top honour in the heritage field. The 29 winners from 18 countries are recognised for their achievements in conservation, research, dedicated service, and education, training and awareness-raising. Read more

MEMBERS NEWS

News from the Order of Architects and Consulting Engineers (OAI) in Luxembourg. Read more

The Croatian Chamber of Architects (CCA) is organising the conference "Days of Architects 1.0" (Dani arhitekata 1.0), taking place from 11 to 13 May 2017 at the Lone Hotel in Rovinj. Read more

EU PROJECTS

ACE is currently involved in four EU-funded projects. The iNSPiRe project, funded under the 7th Framework Programme (FP7) was successfully completed at the end of September. The FP7 project A2PBEER, the ERASMUS+ project in co-operation with EAAE (European Association of Architectural Education) and the Horizon 2020 (H2020) project PROF/TRAC continue. Furthermore a new H2020 project on the market up-take of energy efficiency through significant energy and architectural transformation with new volume additions, called ABRACADABRA, started in March.

All projects address issues related to sustainability, climate change, resource efficiency and building renovation. The projects develop, for instance, innovative materials and technologies, CPD training and better architectural education, business models to finance energy retrofits and position papers. Through these ACE seeks to promote the architects’ role in energy efficient construction and urban regeneration, to influence cutting edge research and make it more applicable for European architects.

Read the projects' news

PUBLICATIONS

BPIE - Is Europe ready for the smart buildings revolution?

BPIE - Report about assessment methodology for renovated single-family buildings and a financing scheme for the Polish building stock (only in Polish)

European Commission - 2017 European Semester: Country Reports

European Commission - The Macroeconomic and Other Benefits of Energy Efficiency

UNEP - Global Status Report 2016 - Towards zero-emission efficient and resilient buildings 

Veronika Schröpfer, Joe Tah, Esra Kurul - Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management

MISCELLANEOUS

Green Solution Award

On 15 March, Construction21 launched the 5th edition of the Green Solutions Award at MIPIM in Cannes, France. This international competition of sustainable buildings, districts and infrastructures is supported by ADEME and the Global Alliance for Buildings & Construction. It aims to widely disseminate innovation in order to accelerate transition to a more sustainable world. The winners will be announced in Bonn, Germany, in November, during the Conference of the Parties on climate change (COP23). Deadline 1 June 2017

New Urban Agenda for the EU website

The Urban Agenda for the EU is an integrated and coordinated approach to deal with the urban dimension of EU and national policies and legislation. By focusing on concrete priority themes within dedicated Partnerships, the Urban Agenda seeks to improve the quality of life in urban areas.

The new website will enable users to be informed about the Urban Agenda and to actively contribute and participate in discussions. It allows debate, exchange and consultations on future policies and priorities with an urban dimension. News, events, consultations and key documents will regularly be made available here. To be able to contribute actively and to receive newsletters you need to register. Urban Agenda website