Link to the National Chamber of Architects and/or Professional Associations:https://zaps.si/

Link to the Competition and Procurement Platforms:https://zaps.si/aktualno/natecaji/v-teku

Link to the main ADCs Regulations:
Public Procurement Act
Rules on Public Competitions

Short description of the legal framework based on Study 0:
The Public Procurement Act (Articles 100-104) governs compulsory Architectural and Design Contests (ADCs) in Slovenia, aligning with the provisions of the European Directive 2014/24/EU. These mandatory ADCs are mandated for investments in public buildings, public leisure and sports facilities, as well as urban planning projects exceeding the threshold value. Additionally, they are required for urban and architectural interventions as specified by the State and Municipal Spatial Acts. Non-mandatory ADCs typically adhere to the same compulsory regulations, with potential adjustments made in favor of the client.

Other useful links: Statistical Data on ADCs in Slovenia

Definition of Architectural Competition:
A competition is a procedure that enables the contracting authority to select the professionally most suitable solution for a tendered task with the assistance of an evaluation committee (jury) and, if so specified in the competition documentation, also the manufacturer of the project documentation. It is used for tasks in the field of architecture, urban planning, engineering structures (e.g. bridges, towers), landscape architecture and artistic and spatial installations (e.g. monuments). In competitions, the best solution is selected based on the competition brief, the competition rules and the evaluation criteria using a comparative evaluation process carried out by a competent jury. We distinguish between open and closed (invited competitions), conceptual and design competitions and one, two- or multi-level competitions. Depending on the type of assignment, competitions may be urbanistic, architectural and landscape-architectural. The result of the design competition is a contract for the preparation of project documentation, which is usually submitted to the winner of the competition and subsequently also the realization of the winning project. The classification and manner of conducting the competition are defined by Articles 19 to 25 of the Rules on Public Competitions, while the Public Procurement Act lists the rules applicable to competitions in chapter five (Articles 100–104).

Professional Qualification Criteria:
Professional access in Slovenia requires a completed Master’s Degree in Architecture, which is listed in Annex 5 of the EU Professional Qualifications Directive which lists the notified EU diplomas that fulfil the minimum requirements of the Directive. After the degree, two years of practical training and a professional exam are required. To practice the profession, registration in the Chamber of Architecture and Spatial Planning of Slovenia is required.

• Academic degree | Master’s Degree in Architecture according to Annex V of Professional Qualification Directive
• Practical experience | 2 years
• Professional Exam
• Membership in an architects chamber
• A professional liability insurance is needed for an active status

To participate in public ADCs a professional authorization for the required (planning) task is necessary. The check will take place after the jury decision, nevertheless the qualification needs to exist already for the participation deadline. For the negotiation process following an ADC, additional suitability criteria regarding legal documents (such as tax compliance certificates) have to be fulfilled. Additional suitability criteria regarding economic & financial as well as technical & professional capacity and reliability is usually not required. For the contract to be valid, the designer must deliver the agreed financial insurance and proof of designer liability insurance.