Colander

Competition services

We work from first principles to give each client a tailored competition that is best able to deliver the right team for the given project.

Our approach :

Competition structures vary depending on the complexity of the project and, crucially, on whether the client is looking to select a design, or to find an architect (or design team) with whom to develop designs.

Unsurprisingly therefore, there are many different ways of structuring the competitive process – from a simple competitive interview and credentials presentation to a full blown multi-staged design competition.

The right option will depend on the client’s design aspirations, the budget, the timescale and the procurement constraints.

Our services :

It is our experience that to achieve the best results, each competition has to be individually tailored and therefore our service also has to be flexible.

Services we offer include:

Selecting the competition format

  • Defining the parameters for success
  • Designing an appropriate competitive process
  • Creating the competition brief
  • Outlining the rules of engagement
  • Planning the competition timetable and budget
  • Ensuring an ethical process

Identifying competitors

  • Access to a database of over 3,000 potential competitors from the UK and overseas
  • Research to identify suitable, potential competitors for each project
  • Advertising the competition appropriately

Publicity and engagement

  • Creating a competition website
  • Engaging stakeholder and local communities in the process
  • Assisting with community consultation and exhibitions
  • Engaging with the press and media, including social media
  • Exhibitions

Competition management

  • Ensuring a compliant procurement process
  • Maintaining confidentiality and anonymity
  • Briefing competitors at each stage of the process
  • Acting as point of contact for all concerned
  • Managing the competitive process: registrations, report writing, agendas, minutes, administration etc
  • Managing award payments
  • Creating an audit trail

Jurys and panel members

  • Helping to create a balanced and knowledgeable jury panel
  • Identifying individual panellists as required
  • Identifying technical advisors if required
  • Briefing the jury panel and technical advisors

Competition assessment

  • Advising on and agreeing scoring/evaluation procedures
  • Helping to evaluate submissions
  • Arranging and facilitating interviews and presentations
  • Arranging visits to buildings or competitors' offices
  • Feeding back to competitors
  • Debriefing and follow up

To find out more about architectural competitions, please call 020 8771 6445, or email competitions@colander.co.uk