Flanders' reputation for outstanding architecture threatened by move to scrap procurement system

摘要

Since winning federal autonomy from Belgium in the early 1990s, Flanders has developed one of the most progressive architectural cultures operating anywhere in the world today. The competition system by which the designs of most Flemish public buildings are secured is known as the Open Call and is managed by the state architect, the 'Vlaams Bouwmeester'.The Open Call has delivered more than 200 projects of a remarkable standard. And it is not just local practices that have benefited: Maccreanor Lavington, Sergison Bates, Tony Fretton, Stephen Taylor, Ian Simpson, Witherford Watson Mann and DRDH have all secured substantial commissions through a procurement system that is notably less risk-averse than our own.