From the general meeting of the Czech Chamber of Architects

The general assembly of the Czech Chamber of Architects (ČKA) took place in Brno on Saturday, April 21, 2012, with more than 300 of its members in attendance. In addition to current professional issues, the discussion primarily focused on the proposal for a new communication strategy for ČKA, public procurement, architectural competitions, extraordinary membership, and the preparation of a new competition showcase of completed buildings. Elections to the bodies of ČKA were also held.

20 YEARS SINCE THE PASSAGE OF THE PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE ACT
Emeritus Chairman of ČKA Petr Bílek reminded that in 1992, Act No. 360/1992 Coll., on the practice of authorized architects, of authorized engineers, and technicians working in construction, was approved. The struggle for the existence of professional chambers, securing the headquarters of ČKA, and commenting on laws related to the practice of architecture were the main priorities of the profession's representatives at that time. Since then, among other things, cooperation has been established with important organizations both domestically and internationally (especially ACE, UIA, EFAP), participation in legislation both in the Czech Republic and abroad, and the authorization of more than 3,400 individuals. Václav Aulický, a member of the ČKA preparatory committee, also pointed out the challenging beginnings and thanked particularly Miroslav Masák, Martin Peterka, Jan Sapák, and Jiří Plos for their commitment at that time. The participants of the general assembly realize that it is necessary to clarify priorities and the future direction of ČKA after twenty years.

ARCHITECTURE IN THE LOWER HOUSE
Among the guests of the general assembly was Member of Parliament Stanislav Polčák, Chairman of the Committee for Public Administration and Public Development. He stated that it is important to support architecture in the upcoming period, promised his efforts on behalf of the representatives of the regions in the House of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, and urged architects to exert pressure on politicians themselves. ČKA Chairman Jan Vrana reminded that last year the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic also recommended approving the Architecture Policy of the Czech Republic, a document prepared and long advocated by ČKA.

ČKA COMMUNICATION
The working group for the promotion of architecture within ČKA presented a proposal for a new Communication Strategy for ČKA. This was a response to the demands of the membership base from last year, when there was talk about finding ways to improve ČKA's image, new communication internally (to its members) and externally (to the media and the public). The function of the communication manager for ČKA was also discussed, as well as the importance of having a quality spokesperson for ČKA, who should, according to some opinions, be an architect, preferably a board member as before. Based on the proposed strategy, it was possible to push through the realization of new ČKA websites, an intranet, a visual style for ČKA, and closer communication with journalists for this year. The general assembly mandated the ČKA board to refine the communication strategy, including specific measures.

EXTRAORDINARY MEMBERSHIP IN ČKA
Members of the general assembly discussed the possibility of ČKA covering unlicensed individuals (i.e., individuals who do not meet the certification requirements—students, graduates, professionals, etc.) as extraordinary members. This option was proposed by the Working Group for the Promotion of Architecture. However, some architects envision extraordinary membership as only a limited number of exceptional individuals. Additionally, they warn that such layering within the chamber could lead to its confused perception (not just as an organization of professionals) and to a deterioration of ČKA's position as a certifying body. Many propose either extraordinary membership solely for architects awaiting certification or the establishment of a separate group called, for example, Friends of ČKA.

COMPETITION SHOWCASE OF ARCHITECTURAL REALIZATIONS
For many years, discussions have been ongoing between the Association of Architects and the Czech Chamber of Architects about the existence of a quality showcase of completed buildings in the Czech Republic. After various types of collaboration, this year it was concluded, which was confirmed by the general assembly: ČKA, together with the Association of Architects, will establish a non-profit company to organize a competition with the working title Grand Prix Architecture. This will lead to the transformation of the current Grand Prix of Architects and the establishment of its financing.

ARCHITECTURAL COMPETITIONS
The issue of competitions is addressed by two working groups (the PS for Competitions and the PS for Transparent Procurement, which was established last year), whose aim is to promote broader application of design competitions. Despite ČKA's considerable efforts so far, it can only be stated that there are still too few architectural competitions, contracts are mostly awarded in a non-transparent manner, typically through public procurement competitions, where the main criterion for evaluation is the lowest bid price. ČKA strives to advocate for regular architectural competitions but often encounters irregular modifications (some competition organizers do not adhere to the ČKA Competition Rules and do not form a professional jury or establish financial prizes and awards, for example). Given the large number of irregular competitions, the proposal was raised at the general assembly that authorized architects should not be disciplinarily punished by the ČKA Chamber Court for participating in irregular competitions, thus preventing them from accessing contracts. However, many architects consider such an approach as an erosion of the professional rules of ČKA and a path to an unending retreat before the clients. Some also view such a concession as a violation of the law, which mandates the chamber to prevent irregular competitions. In the past year, ČKA became a co-author of a regulation to the Public Procurement Act, which is based on the ČKA Competition Rules. The regulation was drafted for the Ministry of Regional Development (MMR). If the approval of the regulation by the minister can be secured, it will become a binding document for public procurers.

PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Until now, the general assembly of ČKA has been accessible only to members of this professional organization. However, there is clear interest from non-members in participating in its proceedings. Therefore, the board has been tasked with finding ways to enable access to the general assembly meetings for everyone.

ELECTIONS TO ČKA BODIES
The following were elected to the board of ČKA: Pavel Hnilička (for the Prague region), Ladislav Kuba (for the Moravian region), Josef Panna (for the Bohemian region), Jan Sapák (for the Moravian region). The following continue to serve on the board: Tomáš Bezpalec, Petr Janda, Milan Košař, Petr Lešek, David Mareš, Vlado Milunić, Barbara Potysz, Josef Smutný).
The following were elected to the supervisory board of ČKA: Miroslav Holubec (for the Prague region), Josef Patrný (for the Bohemian region), Pavel Rada (for the Moravian region). The following continue to serve on the supervisory board: Jan Drahozal, Zdeněk Jiran, Jan Kaštánková, Josef Kopečný, David Mikulášek, Tomáš Vích,
The following were elected to the Chamber Court of ČKA: Karel Doležel, Pavel Kopecký, David Mateásko. The following continue to serve on the Chamber Court: Jan Kozel, Petr Kučera, Milan Nytra, Martin Peterka, Josef Vrana, Václav Šebek
The general assembly also mandated the board of ČKA to prepare a proposal for a change in the Organizational and Procedural Rules of ČKA by the next general assembly that would limit the term of office for all members of the bodies to two consecutive terms.

The Czech Chamber of Architects is a professional institution performing delegated state administration. It convenes the general assembly as its highest body once a year. The meeting of all authorized architects is a platform where issues related to the architect's profession and their possible solutions can be discussed, changes to the ČKA rules can be approved, budgets can be ratified, new members can be elected to ČKA bodies, etc. At the same time, it is possible to mandate the board of ČKA with specific tasks for the following year in the final resolution of the general assembly.