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ACE Info

June 2014

To read the ACE Info in French, click here


ACE CORE ISSUES

ACE Manifesto for the European Parliament Elections
Ahead of the European Elections, the ACE launched a Manifesto calling on future MEPs to commit to promoting responsible architecture, advancing highest professional standards and optimising professional mobility. Read the ACE Manifesto on the ACE website.

Evaluation of national regulations on access to the profession
In October 2013, EU Commission issued a Communication aimed at facilitating the mutual evaluation of Member States’ regulations governing access to regulated professions, foreseen by the revised Professional Qualifications Directive. A first phase of this exercise has resulted in a map of regulated professions in the EU. A second phase consists of a detailed screening and mutual evaluation of the justification for each regulated profession at domestic level. Member States will then be invited to present national action plans in which they will describe possible actions to modernise their regulations. The objective of this exercise is to increase the mobility of professionals in the Single Market as well as the cross-border provision of services. In the coming months, the Commission will organise meetings to allow Member States to exchange outcomes of their domestic screenings. Member States and hopefully representatives from the profession will meet on 30 September 2014 under the auspices of the EU Commission to examine regulations governing access to the architectural profession.

Public Procurement: ACE Recommendations and Guidelines for the transposition of the new Directive to National law
Following the adoption of the new Public Procurement Directive and a certain amount of success for the architectural profession (cutting administrative burdens, removing barriers for SMEs, promotion of MEAT over lowest price, reduction of turnover requirements, references to intellectual services), the ACE has produced a Guide in order to support its Member Organisations during the transposition process of the Directive into national law. The Guide is divided into five parts: (1) Definition of the project; (2) Accessibility of public contracts – selection criteria; (3) Procedures; (4) Procurement instruments and tools; (5) Award Criteria. It also includes a section on Recommendations for Design Contests. Access the document on the ACE website.

 

ACE MATTERS

Memorandum of Understanding with the Africa Union of Architects
At its last General Assembly, ACE signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Africa Union of Architects (AUA) in order to promote closer cooperation between both organisations. Read the ACE - AUA Memorandum of Understanding on the ACE website. 

ACE President distinguished by the American Institute of Architects
During his official visit to Chicago for the 2014 International Presidents’ Forum, ACE President, Luciano Lazzari, received from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) the AIA Presidential Medal and was granted AIA Honorary Membership for having “significantly contributed to the profession of architecture”.

2014 International Presidents’ Forum - ACE signs the Chicago Architects Declaration
On June 27 2014, ACE President, L. Lazzari participated in the 13th International Presidents’ Forum (IPF), organised by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in Chicago. This forum brings together Presidents of a dozen national, regional, and international architectural associations, along with the Presidents of the U.S. organisations (NCARB, NAAB, ACSA & AIAS) to discuss current issues in the profession. On this occasion, the ACE reaffirmed, along with eleven other international organisations, important principles for the architectural profession. Read the Chicago Architects’ Declaration on the ACE website.

ACE becomes a Supporting Partner of the Renovate Europe Campaign
In June 2014 ACE became a supporting partner of the Renovate Europe Campaign (REC), an EU-level campaign aiming to reduce the energy demand of the EU building stock by 80% by 2050 by achieveing a favourable legislative and regulatory framework at EU level. As a European Supporting Partner ACE will engage with the Campaign by disseminating messages and information from the Renovate Europe Campaign to its network. More information on the Campaign. 

Launch of the new ACE website
The ACE is pleased to announce the launch of its revamped website, designed to better inform Architects, policy-makers and stakeholders in the construction sector of the challenges facing the profession. Discover the new website at www.ace-cae.eu.

EVENTS 

EU Access to Finance Days - Information events organised by DG ENTR to promote EU financial instruments supporting SMEs

Conference of the Reference Framework for European Sustainable Cities (RFSC) – 8 October 2014, Brussels

Plate-Forme Maison Passive (pmp) - First Summer University - 22 August, Brussels

EU NEWS 

Conclusions of the Culture Council on cultural heritage
On 21 May 2014, the Council of the EU adopted conclusions on cultural heritage as a strategic resource. Member States emphasise the important role that cultural heritage plays in creating and enhancing social capital, as well as its important economic impact. The Council calls for more resources to be invested in cultural heritage and for the mainstreaming of cultural heritage in national and European policies. The EU Commission is invited to further support at EU level the networking of, and pooling of resources between, public and private sector heritage experts and practitioners as well as civil society organisations. Read the full text of the Conclusions.

Production in the construction sector 
Compared with March 2014, seasonally adjusted production in the construction sector grew by 0.8% in the euro area (EA18) and by 0.6% the EU28, according to first estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the EU. In April 2014 compared with April 2013, production in construction increased by 8.0% in the euro area and by 7.2% in the EU28. More information for each Member State in the Eurostat press release.

OTHER MATTERS

UK government undertakes review of architects’ regulation
As part of a programme of reviews of public bodies, the UK government is currently conducting a periodic review of the regulation of architects in the UK and the Architects Registration Board (ARB). The review is being led by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) which has launched a six week call for evidence. DCLG will also be holding workshops with key stakeholders over the coming months. You can read more about the periodic review and how to contribute on the ARB website. If you have any questions about this review please contact Emma Matthews, Head of Qualifications at the Architects Registration Board at emmam(at)arb.org(dot)uk.

EU-FUNDED PROJECTS

LEEMA project
The first project video, presenting the consortium and project aims, is now on-line. A consortium meeting took place on 24-25 June at the ACE premises in Brussels. LEEMA is a research project that aims to develop a new generation of inorganic insulation materials and insulation masonry components with low embodied energy. Visit the project website for more information.

iNSPiRe project
The latest edition of the project newsletter with an update on the progress is now available. A new project brochure focusing on lighting solutions has also been published. iNSPiRe is an EU-funded project looking to tackle the problem of high-energy consumption by producing systemic renovation packages that can be applied to existing buildings. Visit the project website for more information.

A2PBEER project
The ACE has worked on an overview of legislation for the energy retrofitting of public buildings in Europe, with a specific focus on Spain, Sweden and Turkey. The chapter written by ACE describes the various levels of legislation ranging from EU level to district and building level. Several incentive schemes and building labels were also identified. ACE is currently developing a project brochure in cooporation with LIT – Limerick Institute of Technology. Visit the project website for more information. 

 
      
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