During the inauguration ceremony for Amsterdam’s public library in 2007, Jo Coenen, Dutch architect and former Rijksbouwmeester (2000–2004), raised two crucial points in the debate on public procurement in architecture. The first point concerned the ‘Standaard Regeling 1997′ – SR 1997 for those in the know – a standard regulation establishing a fixed calculation of fees for architectural assignments. This regulation marked the start of a content-based selection process. By eliminating competition based on remuneration, quality now came first.

In Antwerp, since the launch of design pools in 2006, a fixed percentage has also been applied to architects’ fees. Recently adapted to the new indexation standards, this percentage also takes into account the additional tasks and duties incumbent on architects. The fact that here too, the quality of a project takes precedence when choosing an architect has therefore been common practice for some time in the procedures launched by the City.