The SA Chapter has been made aware of a current EOI that asks for architects to provide concept designs as part of the submission.  A response has been provided to the organisation calling the EOI, advising that the Institute does not support the request for free design services on the grounds that:

• This is a request for a significant amount of intellectual property and attracts liability whether the architect is paid or not.
• The provision of free design services limits the benefit that can be provided by an architect by constraining their access to briefing information and the client/users.

We have offered to assist them in developing a more suitable methodology for procuring architectural services.

Provision of free design services in a bid to win a project devalues the profession.  Architects’ ability to generate highly resolved, unique responses to specific criteria is the essence of what we do.  It is also what adds value to projects.  In addition to this, provision of free services may be in contravention of Registration requirements.

The decision as to whether to respond to requests for free design services is ultimately one for each practice to determine.  However, when making this decision we ask that members consider whether undertaking a project for a client who clearly does not value or understand what we do as architects is going to result in a commercially successful or professionally rewarding relationship.  The wider impact on the viability and standing of the profession also needs to be considered.

As Jon Clements noted in a previous discussion on the same subject, he is not aware of any architect who has built a successful practice on the basis of giving away their services.