Competition part of human history and culture to

locate the best possible options

--Create great public interest,
-- leads to discovery of new talent
- Discovery of best designs
The Council of Architecture Competition Guidelines;
--provides code that
--safeguards interests of promoters/ architects,
-- helps clients to make choice of an architect
- Provides client with number of solutions to choose
-- minimises cost to Client
--Architects prohibited to compete against each other
without charging a fee
- in an open architectural competition they are allowed
to do so
Offers opportunity to Architects
-- to compete in projects of national importance
- to prove their talent and ability.
-- provide opportunity for research/ study of a
new building type,
-- exploring possibilities of new technical ideas
and
-- for gaining new experience.
 For the promoter advantages are
-- competition may cost more than commissioning
an architect privately and
-- also takes a little more time.
-- But balanced by numerous choice of
-- best with variety of approaches.
--- a wide range of ideas /concepts
-- selecting design which fits into his requirements.
Explores hidden talents among younger Architects
-- explores talents of those competing in
architectural challenge,
-- possibility of having outstanding design.
-- take pride in finding best architect
 Competition Guidelines by Council of Architecture-
-- protect and safeguards
-- interests of both Promoter and Competitors.
-- While ensuring
-- promoter a design of high standard
- competitors compete on same conditions/ within
same limitations- providing level playing field
Purpose of Guidelines is to:
-- detail out architectural competitions system,
-- help client to make up his mind whether competition
right answer to his architectural problem,
-- what kind of competition to be suitable.
--how competitions to be organised and
-- to make promoter understand responsibilities and
liabilities .
 Purpose of Competition Guidelines laid down by COA is to
detail out terms and conditions which will ensure--
-- each competitor competes on similar conditions/ limitations.
-- entries judged only by qualified professionals
-- capable of interpreting competitors' presentations-
--meeting promoter's requirements..
--Appointment of Assessors -- first step for a competition.
- Appointment of Technical Advisors- qualification, role and
responsibilities
-- define the qualification of Assessors
-- define the Role of Assessors
-- Preparation of the project brief
-- Manner in which competition to be conducted-- Finalising
competition conditions.
-- Prepare final report/award.
--Prizes to be paid
--Remuneration to be paid to Assessors
- Liabilities and Responsibilities of Promoter
Participation in all competitions shall be open to:
Architects -- registered with the COA under the
Architects Act, 1972 --on the date of announcement
of competition and thereafter.

Firms-- in which all the partners shall be registered

with the Council of Architecture under the Architects
Act, 1972 on the date of announcement of the
competition and thereafter.1

Students of a Teaching Institution-- recognised by

the COA- provided no staff member of institution is
sole Assessor ---
--or in a jury of three or more Assessors, only one
Assessor is from the staff of the said institution.

-- Promoter/ Assessor/s /their associate, partner/

employee shall not compete/ assist a competitor / act
as architect/ joint architect for competition project.
Competitors when asked to pay substantial
registration fees
should know when registered under what
conditions registration fee will be refunded.
Intending competitors must receive sufficient
information
when invited to apply for competition conditions
to enable them to judge
whether competition falls within guidelines for
architectural competition of COA and
whether they are capable of tackling problem set
by the competition.
The Council of Architecture recommends 3 parts Procedure:
PART I
A leaflet / advertisement should include following
information:
Name of the Promoter
Purpose and nature of the competition ideas/ single or 2
stage competition
material competitor would submit.
The prizes (or honoraria)
Names of Assessors
Persons eligible to compete
Approximate time table
Procedure for registration,
Last date for registration and
Date by which competition conditions would be made
available by promoter.
PART II
An intending competitor makes an application for
registration form,
completes registration form
sends by registered post within the time stipulated
to promoter with registration fee (if any).
Registration complete when promoter accepts
competitor's eligibility by placing his name on the
competition register and
informs him in writing
PART III
The competition condition sent to competitors
when his eligibility is established and
his name is entered in the competition register.
Three types of competitions
i Project Competition
- to find best solution for actual building project
-- to appoint winner to carry out commission
ii Idea Competition
--to get ideas about
-- certain aspects of architectural/ town planning
issues.
-- winner may not be commissioned to carry out
project,
--students of architecture may participate when
permitted by promoter
iii Combination of both Project and idea
.
 Three options of holding Competitions
(I) OPEN COMPETITIONS
--Competitions where all Architects invited to participate
-- through announcement by advertisements
-- in suitable media/ through circulars
-- which may be issued by the promoters.
-- for projects costing less than Rs. 10,00,000/ may be limited to Architects having office in State
of the project site.
-- Participants are not paid
ii) Limited Competition- Competition by Invitation
--Competitions limited to Architects
-- approx. 5 to 8
-- selected by promoter
-- on advice of Senior Architect Assessor / Board of Assessors,
-- Each participant submitting designs shall receive honorarium.
(III) SPECIAL COMPETITIONS
-- for projects involving
-- town planning and
-- design problem or
-- use of industrial components
--or participation of developers.
-- participation may be be limited to professionals/ group of professionals ------with definite
expertise.
-- competition announcement to clearly define field of expertise.
Competitions may be organised in one or two stages.

-- Single Stage Competition

-- Two Stage Competition
(I) SINGLE STAGE COMPETITION
--In single stage competition
-- competition entries
-- shall be fairly complete drawings
-- plans, section, elevations, etc.
-- to a suitable scale
-- sufficient to explain scheme set out in competition
-- designs submitted
-- assessed by the Assessors
-- for award of prizes and
-- appointment of architect.
--Such competitions recommended for small &simple project.
II) TWO STAGE COMPETITIONS
STAGE ONE--
-- first stage is for soliciting ideas
-- competition entries limited to planning
--on broad basis and
-- drawings to a suitable scale
--sufficient to indicate the intention/idea of competitor.
--Designs submitted assessed by the Assessors
-- for selecting a small number of competitors (between 5 and 10)
-- selected designs invited to take part in the second stage of the competition,
-- each invited architect paid a specified sum.
---to maintain anonymity , each competitor informed individually
--whether or not invited to participate in the second stage.
-- Correspondence --responsibility of Promoter / Professional Adviser, if appointed
--. to ensure names of invited / rejected not revealed to assessor
--After end of the first stage
-- Board of Assessors, if necessary / with approval of the Promoter
-- clarify points in competition conditions
-- for benefit of second stage competitors
STAGE TWO
-- Period between Assessors award for the first stage and
submission of designs for the second stage not to exceed
six months.
-- In exceptional circumstances period may be extended.
--Second stage competition may be limited
-- to only a part of subject dealt in first stage.
--Members of Board of Assessors shall be same
-- for first stage / second stage
-- Designs submitted
-- for both first/ second stage
-- shall be exhibited and/or published
-- only after final award of the second stage competition.
-- If any design selected for second stage published/
exhibited before final award of second stage declared, it
will be disqualified.
--Two stage competitions recommended
-- for town planning and for large scale / complex project.
III. REGIONAL SPECIAL CATEGORY COMPETITIONS
--This type of competition
-- intended for small projects
-- of charitable organisations
-- in which four to six local firms
--compete for the appointment
-- as the Architect.
--No premiums are given and
-- the winner appointed to carry out the project.
Advisers

(I) TECHNICAL ADVISER

- Where necessary promoter in consultation with Assessor/Board of
Assessors appoint
-- one / more technical advisers
-- to assist in preparation of brief for competition project and
-- to advise Board of Assessors on competition design entries.
---advise limited to his expertise with no voting rights.
(II) PROFESSIONAL ADVISER
For two stage competition--Professional Adviser appointed ( Architect
registered with COA ).
- He will not be connected with Board of Assessors / attend any of its
meetings.
Professional Adviser responsible to maintain the anonymity of each
competitor/
On completion of first stage of competition
--sealed envelopes containing names of the competitors opened only by
Promoter or Professional Adviser without disclosing names to anyone
-- inform each competitor individually whether invited or not for second
stage.
-- All envelopes resealed by Professional Adviser/Promoter till final
award.
--If after first stage, Assessors wish to clarify / amplify any aspect of
competition project, it shall be conveyed to competitors only by
Professional Adviser/Promoter.
Conditions of competitions shall clearly
give::
-- Conditions based on guidelines of COA.
-- Type of Competition.
-- Purpose of competition
-- intentions of the promoter.
---Nature of problem to be solved.
--- practical / mandatory requirements to be met by
competitors.
-- Number, nature, scale and dimensions of documents,
plan and/or models.
-- Estimates if required in standard form, issued with
conditions.
-- Nature of prizes.
-- Names of Assessors.
---Necessary information required for conducting the
competition.
-- Competition conducted in English.
--- All competition designs submitted anonymously.
Contractual Obligation
General Conditions
Prize Money and Honoraria
Anonymity
Copyright and Right of Ownership
Insurance
Competition Time table
Cost Estimates
Termination of Competition
Appointment of Architect
Exhibition of Entries
Return of Design Drawings
--- Competition conditions / schedule of
requirement primary importance for success of
competition- needs to be given sufficient time
1. CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION
Publication of competition constitutes an offer of
a contract by the promoter,
submission of design for competition, the
competitor accepts this contract.
The competition conditions /reply to competitor's
questions
-constitute legal basis for contract
- legally binding on promoter and competitors.
Project brief /conditions of competition approved by
Senior Architect Assessor & Board of Assessors before
publication/ issue to competitors.
Conditions / requirement of competition to be identical
- Copy filed with COA with answers to questions
Conditions to indicate mandatory/free for interpretation
Information to be specific/not open to misinterpretation.
Supplementary information sent to all competitors .
Conditions to indicate promoter's priorities--functional
aspects, economy of construction / in use, solution to
technical or circulation problems etc).
Exact use of winning design.
Designs not be put to any other use / altered except by
agreement with author
Any amount remitted by applicants for 'Conditions of the
Competition',--Fully refunded in case of decision not to compete
/return the "Conditions of the Competition" within four weeks prior to
submission of design.
Submission of design means -acceptance by competitor of conditions of
competition.
Each design accompanied by a declaration that
--design is bonafide work
-- drawings prepared under his supervision
- accept award of the Assessors as final and binding.
In case two / more architects compete - a partnership deed to be
created for carrying project in case of winning the competition.
Board of Assessors:
-- must make awards
--which shall be final / binding
-- made public by a date stated in conditions.
-- at its discretion adopt "promoters' choice".
-- select not more than three designs which are of equal merit
-- selection of winning design could be made by promoter after
discussing with authors of selected designs their respective entries.
Condition for competition must state:
-- number of prizes and
-- amount of each prize money.
-- Prize money related to the size of project,
-- amount of work involved and expenses incurred for
preparation for competition.
-- In Ideas competition where subsequently work carried
out by official bodies-- prize money to be adequate to
compensate competitors for ideas
--Promoter to accept decision of Board of Assessors
-- pay prize monies within one month of announcement
of results.

--Each participant in a limited competition/ invitation two

stage competition to receive an honorarium.
-- Amount reimbursed for two stage competition for
additional work carried out in second stage stated in
conditions for competition.
4. ANONYMITY
Anonymity of competitors maintained till final award of Board of
Assessors .
No competitor shall terminate his anonymity till the final award.
Anonymity of each competitor guaranteed by adopting suitable
measures

5. COPYRIGHT & RIGHT OF OWNERSHIP

Each competitor shall retain copyright for competition design.
Design awarded first prize only used upon commissioning author of
design to render professional services to carry out project.

No other design shall be used wholly/ in part by promoter.

Promoter's right on design awarded the first prize/ designs selected--

covers one execution only.

Competition conditions , may provide for repetitive work and specify

terms thereof.

Each competitor shall retain right of reproduction of his design

6. INSURANCE
Promoter to insure for damage /loss by fire/floods/any other reason
--Competitor's design drawings
--submitted in competition
-- when he assumes responsibility for them
--and for duration of his responsibility
-- for loss during transit when drawings returned to competitor.
--Amount of insurance stated in competition conditions.
7. COMPETITION TIME TABLE
Notice of competition shall clearly indicate :
-- last date for application for the competition conditions
-- last date for submission of the design drawings.
--Last date for submission of questions.
--Approximate date when the answers to the questions will be sent to
the competitors.
-- final date for despatch of entries by the competitors and receipt by
promoter.
--Sufficient time given for transport,
--particularly for open competitions where competitors will be from all
over the country.
--Interval between date of despatch & date of delivery should be
between five and ten days.
Competition time table under no circumstances be
shortened.

The Board of Assessors to decide upon:

-- judging dates at early stage of the competition
-- date of announcement of awards
- included in conditions of competition.
In case of two stage competitions
-- conditions of competition indicate dates for first
stage only.
--All dates of second stage to form part of
conditions of reference to second stage.
In unavoidable delay in judging
-- a new date fixed by Board of Assessors
-- confirmed by all members and
-- publicly announced
 8. COST ESTIMATES
--Competitors may be required
-- to submit cost estimate of their design
-- on areas / volume basis.
-- Cost estimate shall not be a determining factor in Assessors'
decision except where cost limits are rigidly imposed and
-- stated in competition conditions.
9. TERMINATION OF THE COMPETITION
Promoter may terminate competition if:
- in opinion of Board of Assessors
-- none of competition designs declared as winning entry.
- promoter under advice of Board of Assessors to award
second, third and additional prizes as declared
- none of competitors will be considered for appointment
-- as architect for project and
-- promoter not liable to make any further payments to any of
competitors.
Award of first prize to a design places promoter under obligation
to appoint its author-- as architect for commissioning of project.
If Board of Assessors satisfied for a valid objection to appointment
of author of winning design as architect
-- he may be required to associate with a senior architect / firm of
architects of his choice
-- whose qualifications shall be approved by Board of Assessors.
-- Failing this , author of design placed next on merit appointed as
architect subject to similar conditions.
-- award of Board of Assessors shall not be varied for any reasons.
--If no instructions given to design selected by Assessor to
proceed within twelve months from date of award,
- he shall receive payment
-- for his services in connection with
-- preparation of Competition drawings
-- of a sum equal to 1.00 percent on the amount of estimated cost.
-- First premium shall be deducted from the sum so paid.
-- If work subsequently proceeded this sum shall from part of his
ultimate fee.
11. EXHIBITION OF ENTRIES
-All competition designs
-- including those disqualified by Board of Assessors
-- exhibited for at least one week
-- together with a copy of the signed report of Board of Assessors.
-- Exhibition shall be open to public free of charge.
--Promoter to notify all competitors & announce in media
-- days / place of public exhibition of competition.
--Promoters to submit to COA -a copy of signed report of jury and
-- if requested photographs of selected designs for possible publication.
12. RETURN OF DESIGN DRAWINGS
--All drawings, plans, models etc.
-- submitted except those of winning design
-- shall be returned by promoter at the end of public exhibition at
his own cost.
-- Drawings, plans, models of winning design shall be returned to
its author
--on being appointed as Architect for Project or
-- after six months from date of announcement of award by Board
of Assessors whichever is early.
Role of Assessors/ Senior Assessor shall be to ;
--Assist in preparation / approval of project brief.
-- Type of Competition to be held
--Study / understand requirements of Local Authorities
-- Visit / examine project site,
-- Advise on appointment of Technical Advisers, if necessary.
--Finalise competition conditions.
-- Prepare final report/award.
------------------------------------------------------
--The project brief most important document of competition
-- Success depends upon clarity / completeness of brief.
-- Need close cooperation between Promoters / Assessors
-- in preparation / finalisation of brief.
-- Participation of Assessors in preparation of brief will:
-- enable them to understand fully intent of promoter
-- as qualified Architects they would:
-- visualize development
--with reference to promoter's requirements,
-- site conditions etc.
-- in interpreting the competition entries.
For complicated projects -- Hospitals, Airports etc.
-- projects involving highly technical elements,
-- Technical Adviser necessary
-- in initial stage
-- to help Promoter/ Assessors
-- to draw up brief and
-- advise Assessors on technical aspect of
competition entries.
The Board of Assessors :
--shall be set up before promotion of competition.
--Their names stated in competition conditions.
-- composed of a smallest reasonable number of assessors
-- Odd in number
--Size related with size of competition project
-- preferably number not to exceed seven
--Of Assessors , number of Architects , registered with
COA to be in majority of at least one.
-- number of Assessors representing promoters not to
exceed two
--Each member to examine / approve competition
conditions before made available to competitors.
-- may invite Technical Advisers as experts in specialised
fields
-- to assist in assessment of competition entries without
any voting rights.
--Quorum for meeting shall be at least 2/3rd of voting
members of the Board
-- Board to elect a Chairman from among its members.
--In event of death of an Assessor before/ during
assessment of competition/ his inability due to illness/ or
any other cause-- another Assessor shall be appointed
--No promoter of competition / assessors/ any partner,
associate, or employee -- compete or assist a competitor,
or act as architect or joint architect for project.
This regulation shall not be applicable to:
--Staff / students of an Institution of which a member of regular
teaching staff is on the BOA, provided he is not the sole Assessor

--Employees of a Government/ Semi-Government /Public Sector

organisation of which one of its employees is on Board of
Assessors --provided he is not sole Assessor and Board consists
of three or more Assessors of whom only one is such an employee.
In two stage competitions, same members shall judge
both stages of competition.
In no case a competition as a single stage competition
proceed to a second stage except with knowledge of the
Council of Architecture and
--arrangement for payment of honoraria to the
competitors involved, over and above the prize money
provided for in the original competition.
In such a secondary competition taking place-- Assessors
appointed for the original competition must be
reappointed by promoters.

Any drawings, photographs, models or other documents

not required by competition conditions excluded before
examining competitors' entries.

--disqualify any design which does not conform to any of

the conditions, instructions or requirements of
competition.
The Board must make an award.
-- The award shall be final and shall be made public in open
competitions
-- intimated individually to all those participating in limited
competition,
-- by a date stated in the conditions.
--while distributing award money--- shall make full use of the
amounts set aside for prizes in competition conditions.
--In an ideas competition, a first prize shall be awarded.
-- decision shall be taken by a majority vote with a separate
vote on each entry.
--The award including Assessors report to promoter, shall be
signed by all members of Board before they disperse.
Board to make its award known to promoter in a formal
statement signed by a simple majority of members.
Statement to indicate number of designs examined and order
of prizes awarded. Statement must be completed before
envelops are opened and Assessors disperse.
The fees/ travel expenses / out of pocket expenses of
members of Board shall be paid by promoter.