“It is a question of proposing simple and adapted procedures to contracting authorities, whether in the public or private sector, based on quality criteria rather than on fees.” Michelle Friederici, president of the OAI. Marie Russillo Maison Moderne 

“It is a question of proposing simple and adapted procedures to contracting authorities, whether in the public or private sector, based on quality criteria rather than on fees.” Michelle Friederici, president of the OAI.  Marie Russillo Maison Moderne 

Michelle Friederici, president of the Ordre des Architectes et Ingénieurs-Conseils (OAI), shares her outlook on architecture, trends she sees for the sector, the OAI’s priorities and topics she believes will be important for the sector's evolution in 2023.

After two years of the Covid crisis, it is now the war in Ukraine that is dominating the news. The architect Michelle Friederici, president of the Ordre des Architectes et des Ingénieurs-Conseils (OAI) underlines that the OAI has joined in the condemnation of this war, and has launched actions to help the Ukrainian colleagues who have taken refuge in Luxembourg to find a job.

Another effect [of the war] is the shortage of materials, which makes it necessary to adapt projects quickly (planning, budget, etc.). It should not be forgotten that the additional services provided by architects and consulting engineers in this area are to be paid for by the client.

It is important not to lose sight of the longer-term objectives. The European Commission presented the “New European Bauhaus - NEB” in September 2021, which combines the global vision of the European Green Deal with concrete changes for our living environment.

Foreign initiatives, such as the demand of the Bund deutscher Architekten (BDA) for a moratorium on demolitions, the "Gebäudetyp E" (translated as “Building type E" - E as in experimental or simple) for administrative simplification, or the Spanish law on the quality of architecture, show that the problems are similar to those encountered in Luxembourg.

The OAI has always been active in these areas to raise awareness among its public sector stakeholders (relaunch of the architectural policy programme, guide-urbanisme.lu...) in order to find effective solutions with the aim of improving the quality of our living environment.

In anticipation of the legislative elections of 2023, the OAI is currently preparing its proposals that will be sent to the political parties in the running.

Another priority for the OAI is the allocation of tasks to OAI members. It is a question of proposing simple and adapted procedures to contracting authorities, whether in the public or private sector, based on quality criteria rather than on fees.

A recent draft of the United Nations San Marino Declaration on Sustainable and Inclusive Urban Planning and Design for Safe, Healthy, Socially Inclusive, Climate Neutral and Circular Housing, Urban Infrastructure and Cities was recently discussed. It emphasises the essential contribution of our professions to our living environment, which requires them to be differentiated, especially in the context of public procurement, even more so from commercial and craft enterprises.

Michelle Friederici wishes to send a positive signal, stressing that even though we are living in uncertain times, the members of the OAI, with their holistic view, are trained professionals, responsible and perfectly able to design suitable projects, being aware of their freedom of proposal and their courage in the choices they make. They are role models in proposing a sustainable development of our society for future generations.