FOR ARCHITECTURE

Ar.A.Purushothaman, Research Scholar, Department of Architecture, NITT

Unit IV- Study Material
Subject Code : Degree / Branch : B.arch
Subject Name : Professional Practice and Ethics I Year/Sem/sec :
Faculty :

UNIT IV

ARCHITECTURAL COMPETITIONS

Importance of architectural competitions Types of competitions- Single and two stage

competitions Council of Architecture guidelines for conducting architectural competitions
International competitions (case studies).

1. IMPORTANCE OF ARCHITECTURAL COMPETITIONS

Architectural competitions have a long history, and have produced many extremely successful
buildings. They attract great public interest, and have led to the discovery of new talent and new ideas
by throwing an architectural project wide open to competition. To many clients the choice of an
architect presents no difficulty, but to many others the choice is not easy. The clients desire to see the
sketch designs of several architects before he commissions one is understandable, but to ask an
architect to submit a sketch design is to ask him to do the essential creative work for which he should
be properly paid. If more than one or two architects are commissioned, payment to each would be
expensive. This is where an architectural competition can benefit both the client and the architects
who participate. The architectural profession, unlike many other professions, allows architect to
complete against each other without charging a fee in an open architectural competition held under
council of architecture guidelines.

THE ADVANTAGES OF ARCHITECTURAL COMPETITIONS:

The architectural competition is a balance of advantages for both the client and the architects.

ADVANTAGES FOR ARCHITECTS:

1. Explore hidden talents: One of the principal aims of the competition to explore hidden talents
among younger architects. To many architects, it is often the first step to a successful career.
2. Chance to prove their talent and ability: Architects who would not have been considered the
normal way for an important commission, perhaps for a building of national importance have an
opportunity to prove their talent and ability.
3. Opportunity for research: Many architects regard competitions as a valuable opportunity for
research, perhaps for the study of a new building type, or for exploring the possibilities of new
technical ideas and for gaining new experience.

ADVANTAGES FOR CLIENT:

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1. Possibility that an outstanding design will emerge: A competition will cost the client a little more
than if he had commissioned an architect privately though it will take a little more time. But this
must be balanced against the chance to draw, upon the talents of all those who respond to the
architectural challenge, and the possibility that an outstanding design will emerge.
2. Client has a choice: Architectural competitions give the client a choice from the best viable projects
and with a variety of approaches.
3. Wide range of ideas: Competitions brings out a wide range of ideas and concepts and gives the
client the choice of selecting that which fits into his specific requirements.
4. Greater public interest: Also, by promoting a competition, the client makes a public demonstration
that he cares about architecture, and can take legitimate pride in his determination to find the best
architect and the best design he can get. He will be rewarded with a greater public interest than is
generally shown in new buildings.

2. TYPES OF COMPETITIONS

PROJECT AND IDEAS COMPETITIONS

Competitions may be either projects or Ideas competitions or in certain circumstances a
combination of both. The aim of a project competition is to find the best solution for an actual
building project and to appoint its author to carry out the commission. Competitions of ideas are
set as an exercise to elucidate certain aspects of architectural and town planning problems. The
winner of such a competition may not be commissioned to carry out the project, and hence
students of architecture may participate at the discretion of the promoter.

CLASSIFICATION OF COMPETITIONS
1. OPEN COMPETITIONS
Competitions in which all architects are invited to participate through an announcement by
advertisements in suitable media and through circulars which may be issued by the promoters.
Open competitions for projects estimated at less than rs.100000/- may be restricted to
architects who have their main or branch office in the state of the project site.

2. LIMITED COMPETITIONS FOR COMPETITIONS BY INVITATION

Competitions in which limited amount of architects (approx 5 to 8) selected by the promoter
on the advice of the senior architect assessor or board of assessors are invited to participate.
Each participant who submits his designs shall receive an honorarium.

3. SPECIAL COMPETITIONS
Besides competitions described in (1) and (2) above a competition may also combine town
planning as well as design problem, any may involve the use of industrial components or
participation of developers. In such competitions participation may be required to be limited
to professionals or group of professionals with certain definite expertise. In such cases the
competition announcement shall clearly define the field of expertise.

COMPETITION ORGANISATION:

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Competitions may be organized in one or two stages.
1. SINGLE STAGE COMPETITION
In single stage competition the competition entries shall be fairly complete drawings i.e plans,
section, elevations, etc, to a suitable scale and sufficient to explain the scheme as set out in the
competition conditions.
The designs so submitted shall be assessed by the assessors for the award of the prizes and the
appointment of the architect.
Such competitions are recommended for small and simple project.

2. TWO STAGE COMPETITION

In two stage competition, the first stage is for soliciting ideas and therefore the competition entries
at this stage would be limited to planning on board basis and drawings to a suitable scale sufficient
to indicate the intentions of the competitor.
Designs submitted in the first stage shall be assessed by the assessors for selecting a small number
of competitors (between 5 to 10). The author of these selected designs will be invited to take part
in the second stage of the competition, and each architect so invited would be paid a specified
sum.
To ensure this anonymity the envelopes containing the names of the competitors shall be opened
by the promoter of professional adviser if appointed. After the intimation has been sent to each
competitor they shall be resealed until the final award.
After the end of the first stage, the board of assessors may if found necessary and with the approval
of the promoter, clarify or amplify points in the competition conditions for the benefit of the
second stage competitors. Such clarification shall not in any way disclose directly or indirectly or
even inadvertently any of the designs submitted in the first stage to those invited for the second
stage.
The period between the Assessors award for the first stage and submission of designs for the
second stage shall not exceed six months. Only under exceptional circumstances period may be
extended.
The second stage of the competition may be limited to only a part of the subject dealt with in the
first stage.
Members of the board of assessors shall be the same for first stage and second stage of the
competition.
The designs submitted for both the first stage and the second stage shall be exhibited and /or
published only after the final award of the second stage competition.
If any design selected for the second stage is published or exhibited before the final award of the
second stage has been declared, it will be disqualified.

3. REGIONAL SPECIAL CATEGORY COMPETITIONS

This type of competition is intended for small projects of charitable organizations in which four to
six local firms will complete for the appointment as the architect. No premiums are given and the
winner shall be appointed to carry out the project.

3.COA GUIDELINES FOR CONDUCTING ARCHITECTURAL COMPETITIONS

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The council of architecture lays down competition guidelines, to protect and safeguard the interests of
both the client and the competitors. These guidelines provide a new up to date code that brings the
system into line with present day conditions.

The purpose of these guidelines is to explain the architectural competition system. They indicate the
principles upon which competitions will be conducted and the rules which must be observed by a
promoter for conducting competitions. They also help the client who is thinking of promoting a
competition to make up his mind on whether a competition is the right answer to his architectural
problem, and if so which kind of competition would be suitable.

These guidelines have been drawn up in the interest of both the client and the competitor and to
ensure that each competitor competes so similar conditions and that, selection of the design will be
on merit alone. Both the client and the competitor are assured by these guidelines that the entries will
be judged only by those who are qualified to interpret the competitors presentations and to judge if
the design selected meets with the clients requirements.

3.1 ARCHITECTURAL COMPETITION DETAILS

The conditions of competitions shall be finalized within the framework of the guidelines prescribed
by the council of architecture any announcement is made by the promoter of the competition. The
conditions of the competitions shall clearly give:
1. Type of competition
2. Propose of the competition and intentions of the promoter.
3. Nature of the problem to be solved.
4. All practical and mandatory requirements to be met by the competitors.
5. Number, nature, scale and dimensions of the documents, plan and / or models.
6. Estimates if required in standard form issued with the conditions.
7. Nature of prizes, Honoraria.
8. Names of Assessors.
9. Necessary information required for conduct in the competition.
10. The competition shall be conducted in English.
11. All competition designs shall submit anonymously.
12. Publicity could begin with the invitation of architects to participate through widely read media.
13. This could be followed by press conferences
14. Then the publication of the assessors report and
15. Finally, public exhibition all the entries.
16. PRIZES, HONORARIA
No competition shall be conducted without adequate premium/ honoraria and the competition
conditions and the media announcements must state the amounts and number of prizes for the
competition. The promoter undertakes to accept the decisions and the awards of the board of
Assessors and within 3 months of the date thereof to pay the prizes.
17. COPYRIGHT & RIGHT OF PRODUCTION
Each competitor shall retain copyright in his own competition design. A competitor wishing to
submit more than one scheme may do so with payment for each additional entry. Each scheme
should be submitted separately. Each competitor shall retain the right of reproduction of his own
competition design.

18. ANONMITY

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 Anonymity will be strictly observed at all stages of the competition by the competitors, by the
board of Assessors, by the promoter and by all those concerned with the competition.

COMPETITION TIME TABLE

a. The notice of competition shall clearly indicate the last date for application for the
competition conditions and the last date for submission of the design drawings.
b. The conditions of the competition shall clearly indicate.
The last date for submission of questions.
Approximate date when the answers to the questions will be sent to the competitors.
The final date for the dispatch of entries by the competitors and for the receipt of the same by the
promoter.
Sufficient time shall be allowed for transport more particularly for open competitions where the
competitors will be from all over the country.
The interval between the date of dispatch and the date of delivery of the entries to the promoter
should be between five and ten days.
In case of late delivery of the entry dispatched before the last date for dispatch, it will be the
responsibility of the board of Assessors to decide whether the entry was dispatched in accordance
with the competition time table and if circumstances can permit its admission for judging.

c. The competition time shall under no circumstances be shortened.

d. The board of assessors shall decide upon the judging dates at the early stage of the
competition and the date of announcement of the awards shall also be included in the
conditions of the competition. In case of two stage competitions however the conditions
of competition shall indicate dates limited to the first stage only. All the dates in respect of
the second stage shall form part of the conditions with reference to the second stage.
e. In case of unavoidable delay in judging, a new date shall be fixed by the board of assessors
which shall be confirmed by all its members and publicity announced.

3.2 ASSESSORS OF AN ARCHITECTURAL COMPETITION

The entries in a competition will be judged by Assessors only those who are qualified to interpret
the competitors presentations and to judge if the design selected meets with the clients
requirements. The board of assessors shall at all times include architects who are registered with
the council of architecture and shall be in a majority of at least one. Once the client decides to
go in for a competition, the appointment of the Assessors is the first step. The president of the
council of architecture, if so requested by the client, may suggest a panel of names experienced
in this type of proposed project, for appointment as Assessors.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF ASSESSORS IN AN ARCHITECTURAL COMPETITION

For practical reasons, the responsibilities of the Assessors are often taken by the Senior Assessor
who is then available to advise the client on all matters connected with the competition. The
(senior) Assessor responsibilities are briefly summarized below:

1. Assist in the preparation and approval of the project brief.

2. Study and understand the requirements of the local authorities.
3. Visit and examine the project site, if necessary.
4. Advise on the appointment of the Technical Advisors if necessary.

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 5. Finalize the competition conditions.
6. Prepare the final report/ award.

3.3 PROJECT BRIEF

The project brief is the most important document. The success of the competition will depend
upon the clarify and the completeness of the brief. This can be achieved by a very close
cooperation between the client and the Assessors (or the senior assessor) in the preparation and
finalization of the brief. As qualified architects they would be capable of visualizing the
development with reference to the clients requirements, site conditions etc, and in interpreting
the competition entries in these terms. Once the clients requirements, the site conditions, the
requirements of the local authorities etc. have been formulated into the competition brief, the
Assessors (or senior assessor) can advise the promoter on the type of competition should be
promoted.

3.4 TECHNICAL ADVISOR

For complicated projects such as hospitals, Airports, etc, which are under constant development
or projects encompassing highly technical elements, a technical advisor would be considered
necessary in the initial stage to help the client and the Assessors to draw up the brief and
subsequently to advise the Assessors on the technical aspect of the competition entries. The
technical advised may be consulted on any aspect of the competition and he may be asked to be
present during the judging to give advice on entries when he is invited to do so, but he shall not
take part in the judging process.

3.5 PROFESSIONAL ADVISOR

For two stages competition a professional adviser who shall be an architect registered with the
council of architecture may be appointed. He will not be connected with the boar of Assessors
or attend any of its meetings. It will be the responsibility of the professional adviser to maintain
the anonymity of each competitor and those selected for the second stage of the competition.
On completion of the first stage of the competition the sealed envelopes containing the names
of the competitors shall be opened only by the promoter or professional Adviser if appointed
and he shall without disclosing any one of the names to anyone inform each competitor
individually whether he has not been invited for the second stage. all the envelopes shall then
be resealed by the professional Adviser / Promoter till the final award. If after the first stage, the
board of Assessors wishes to clarify or amplify any aspect of the selected for the second stage
only by the professional Adviser / promoter.

3.6 ELIGIBILITY TO COMPETE AN ARCHITECTURAL COMPETITION

Participation in any all competitions shall be open to:
1. Architects i.e those who are registered with the council of Architecture under the architects
Act, 1972 on the date of announcement of the competition and thereafter.
2. Firms in which all the partners shall be registered with the council of architecture under the
architect Act 1972 on the date of announcement of the competition thereafter.
3. Students of a teaching Institution, the qualifying examination of which is recognized by the
council of architecture provided that no member of the staff of the said institution is the sole
Assessor or in a jury if three or more Assessors, only one Assessor is form the staff of the said
institution.

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 4. Neither of promoter of the competition, Assessors / engaged for the competition nor any of
their associate, partner or employee shall complete assist a competitor or act as an Architect
or joint Architect for the competition project.
5. Proof of qualification: Competitor may be requested to submit a proof of qualification copy
of his valid registration certificate issued by the council of architecture, and in case of a
student, a certificate from the head of his Institution.

3.7 PROCEDURE FOR CONDUCTING ARCHITECTURAL COMPETITIONS

Once the promoter decides to promote an architectural competition, he then invites Architects/
students to submit designs in competition, in accordance with the guidelines of the council of
architecture .It is not the intention of the Promoter to build, the competition is promoted as as=n
exercise in design/ or planning, to draw attention to something and to assist the community by
facilitating further research and through onto the problem.

1. INVITATION
It is extremely important for competitors who may be asked to pay substantial registration
fees to know exactly when they are registered and under what conditions the registrations
will be refunded. It is also important for intending competitors to receive sufficient
information when they are invited to apply for the competition and whether they are capable
of tackling the problem set by the competition. The invitation should include.

1. A descriptive leaflet and/ or an advertisement in general and professional media. These

should include the following information.
2. Name of the Promoter.
3. Purpose and nature of the competition. This should be carefully worded to give a clear
idea of the scope of the project whether it is a project or an ideas competition, single or
2 stage competition and the type of material that a competitor would be asked to submit.
4. The prizes (or honoraria)
5. Names of Assessors
6. Persons eligible to complete
7. An approximate time table
8. The procedure for registration, the last date for registration and the date by which the
competition conditions should be made available by the promoter.
9. Copies of this leaflet with a registration form attached (see model form) should be
available from the promoter.

2. THE PROCEDURE FOR ENTERING INTO AN ARCHITECTURAL COMPETITION

1. Fill in the registration form A competitor must complete the registration form as per
the instructions given on the form and send it by registered post or hand delivery to the
charge a registration fee.
2. Entry of competitors name in competition register It will establish his eligibility to
compete. The registration is only complete when the promoter accepts the competitors
eligibility by placing his name on the competition register and informs him in writing
accordingly.
3. The competition conditions- will be sent to the intending competitor by the promoter
only when this established and his name is entered in the competition register.

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 4. Competitors questions if any must be written on the questions form and sent to the
promoters address before a given date. An explanatory memorandum dealing with the
questions submitted will be dispatched to all the competitors and will form part of the
conditions and instructions of the competition.

3. SUBMISSION OF DESIGNS
1. Retain copies Submission of design implies acceptance of the competition conditions.
Competitors are advised to retain copies of the design submitted.
2. All plans and accompanying documents and envelopes comprising a competition entry
must bear on the top right hand a 1 cm high six digit number of competitors choice. No
other symbol, motto or distinguishing mark will be placed on any part of the competition
entry. The design and the documents of each competitor shall be dispatched in a single
packet using the label(s) provided.
3. Each design must be accompanied by a declaration/ proof of identity form signed by the
competitor or joint competitors and enclosed in the envelope provided. Each
competitor must be prepared to satisfy the board of Assessors that he is the bonafide
author of the design he has submitted.
4. Competition designs delivered by hand should reach the promoter at his address not
later than the given date and time. Receipt with date and time of delivery will be issued
by the promoter to the competitors.
5. Competition designs sent by post or through forwarding agent must be dispatched not
later than the given date and time. Proof of dispatch clearly showing the date of dispatch
shall be forwarded to the promoter separately with a covering letter informing him of
the dispatch of the competition designs.
6. All drawings, documents, report and photographs should be packed together in a plain
brown paper and sealed. This packet will also include the sealed envelope containing the
declaration/ proof of identity form.

4. THE JUDGING PROCEDURE IN AN ARCHITECTURAL COMPETITION

1. The promoter will place a secretary at the disposal of the board of Assessors to minute
their meetings and record their decisions.
2. The deliberations of the board of Assessors will be secret. No member of the board or
technical Adviser of the promoters staff or competition secretary any disclose any
details of the competitions, deliberations or decisions.
3. The decisions of the board of Assessors are final and binding on the promoter.
4. The promoter will announce the award of the competition not later than two weeks after
the judging has been complete.
5. A copy of the report of the board of Assessors will be sent to each competitor at the
same time as the boards award is made public.

5. TERMINATION OF ARCHITECTURAL COMPETITION

If against all expectations entertained by the Promoter, the result of the competition is such
that none of the participants could be declared by the Assessor as the winner of the
competition, competition could be regarded as terminated and the promoter will on the advice
of the board of Assessors award the second, third and the additional prizes to the entries
selected by the Board.

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6. ANNOUNCEMENT OF RESULTS

1. The promoter will publish the award of the Board of Assessors and inform the council of
architecture after having first informed the authors of the prize winning and permitted
designs individually by telegrams and confirmed by letters.
2. All designs including those disqualified by the Board of Assessors will be exhibited together
with the copy of the signed report of the Board of Assessors. The dates of the exhibition will
also be conveyed individually to all competitors in advance.
3. Names of all competitors will be displayed at the exhibition. However, competitors of the
designs not permitted may choose to remain anonymous. They should so indicate on the
envelope containing their declaration/ proof of identity form.

7. PROCEDURE FOR RETURNING OF EBTRIES AFTER AN ARCHITECTURAL COMPETITION

COMES TO AN END
Within one month after closing of the exhibition, all entries except the design placed first
will be returned to the postal address given in the declaration form, by the promoter at
his own cost. If the delivery to any such addresses is not accepted, a notification to that
effect will be sent by the promoter by registered post to the said postal address and the
entry will be kept by the promoter with him for collection by the competitor for a period
of three months from the date of the registered letter. After that the promoter will be
free to dispose of the entry at will.

8. PROMOTERS RIGHTS IN AN ARCHITECTURAL COMPETITION

1. Drawings of the designs winning the first prize will be retained by the promoter as his
property.
2. Copyright of all designs including the designs winning the first prize will be that of the
authors of the designs.
3. Design awarded the first prize only will be used by the promoter.
4. The promoters right on the designs awarded the first prize covers one execution.
Repetition of the said design by the promoter will be with the written permission of the
author and on confirmation of suitable terms.
5. No other designs whether permitted or not shall be used wholly or partly by the
Promoter.
6. Each competitor shall retain the right of reproduction of his designs.

In the event of dispute not related to the judging procedure or the award of the Board
of Assessors, the settlement will be by arbitration without recourse to the legal
authorities.

9. APPOINTMENT OF WINNER

1. The author of the winning design will be appointed as the architect for the project.
2. The promoter shall; confirm in writing the appointment of the winner of the competition
as the architect and the prize money due to him shall be an advance towards his fees,
adjustable in the final installment of fees.

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 3. In the unusual event when the promoter decides not to appoint the winner of the
competition as architect, he will compensate him with twice the sum of the total prize
money, in addition to the prize money awarded to him as winner.
4. If in the opinion of the board of Assessors, the winner does not have adequate
experience commensurate with the complexity or magnitude of the project, he may he
required to associate with an architectural firm who in the opinion of the Board of
Assessors would have the experience.
5. The promoter will start the project as soon as it is possible. If due to unforeseen
circumstances, the construction of the project is delayed, the promoter will pay the
winner Architect after one year from the date of award, in addition to the prize money,
an account equivalent to twice the prize money amount.
6. If for any reasons the project is called off or cancelled, the promoter will pay the winner
in addition to the amount mentioned above, a further amount equivalent to the prize
money.

This total amount will be regarded as the final reward for all his work amd it shall
constitute full discharged by the promoter.

10. EXHIBITION OF ENTRIES

1. All competition including those disqualified by the board of shall be exhibited for
at least one week together with a copy of the signed report of the board of
Assessors.
2. The promoter shall notify all the competitors and shall also announce in suitable
media the days and place of the public exhibition of the competition.
3. The promoters shall submit to the council of architecture a copy of the signed
report of the jury and if requested photographs of the permitted designs for
possible publication.

11. RETURN OF DESIGN DRAWINGS

All drawings, plans, models etc, submitted by the competitor expect those of the winning
design shall be returned by the promoter at the end of the public exhibition at his own
cost. The drawings, plans, models of the winning design shall be returned to its author
on being appointed as the architect for the project or after six months from the date of
announcement of the award by the board of Assessors whichever is early.
..

Questions- Unit IV
Two Marks

1. Name the different types of architectural competitions.

2. What are the duties of an assessor in a competition?
3. What is the purpose of exhibiting the entries in a competition after the completion of selection
process?
4. Explain the importance of brief in an architectural competition?
5. Describe the context where the special competition needs to be organized? Explain with an
example.

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6. Explain the appointment and role /duties of assessors?
7. State few important reasons to the rejection of entries in Architectural competitions?
8. Explain the importance of a technical advisor in an architectural competition?
9. On what basis an entry in an architectural competition can be rejected?
10. Mention the purpose of conducting architectural competitions?
11. What are the different types of competitions?

Eight Marks

12. Describe in detail the procedure for the conduct of architectural competitions in India as per the COA
norms.
13. Architectural competitions are a boon to young aspirants. Do you agree? Give reasons for your reply.
14. Assessors- appointment and role/duties of assessors.
15. Arbitrators-appointment and role /duties of arbitrators.
16. Details of reasons to disqualify the entries of the competition.
17. Explain the objectives for promoting the architectural competitions. What are the guidelines and
regulations governed by COA for the conduct of open competitions? Explain the same with any of the
famous competition project held in this country.
18. What are two stage architectural competitions? Elaborate on method of holding them.
19. Differentiate between an open competition and limited competition.
20. What are the advantages of holding architectural competition?
21. Explain the importance of brief in architectural competitions.

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