Architecture competitions are an appropriate instrument to find- under the terms of functional, creative and economic aspects- the optimal concept for a construction challenge, for the quality of a concept is not to be defined absolute than in comparison to others. A competition possesses this comparison.

This approved and acceptet practice is, if it’s prepared accordingly, helping to conserve time and money: it constrains an explicit definition of the construction challenge and the appropriate basic conditions and affords the prevention of incorrect plannings. The defined time guideline and professional assistance of a qualified bureau in the run- up accelerate the acclamation complexity in all relevant issues. Wishes and requirements are coordinated contemporaryly and brought in a systematic structure. Even at the beginning of a planning, the construction challenge and the basic conditions are clearly outlined and stipulated in the puplic offer.

The competition is permitting a fast decision making and the integration of all participants, policy- makers, authorising agencies and other lobbys in a well- defined timetable. The evaluation occures in a cloister meeting, the jury, in an improvement mode in multiple passes, following defined functional, economic, technical, urbanistic and creative criteria by contemporaneous participation of all decicion- making units. This is simplifying the coordination efforts, the consideration of potential objections and future approbation periods. Decision support is given by accurately prepared preliminary researches and the professional guidance of the jury.

The required fees for the competition itself (1% up to 3% of the building outlay) face cost savings around 6% to 8%, as the architectural assoziation of Baden- Wuerttemberg assures. Consequently, also the economic balance militates in favour of architecture competitions.

There are several guidelines, the GRW 1995, that contain principles and directives for competitions in city and regional planning and architecture.