ABSTRACT
The Netherlands has often been portrayed as a fertile ground for young architects, giving rise to internationally acclaimed firms such as MVRDV, OMA, Mecanoo and UN Studio. This chapter discusses trends in Dutch competition concepts, such as more integrated contracts and development competitions. It also discusses the implications of these trends, and developments in Dutch competition culture. Public clients in particular aim to select their architects in a careful manner to ensure the support of their stakeholders and to obey procurement rules. They often use high, disproportional suitability criteria and time-consuming procedures, which can lead to the exclusion of young architects and small firms from public commissions. Architects still aim for the highest standard of quality possible, as they don't want to jeopardise their firm's reputation, or their own personal work satisfaction. In the Netherlands, most school and cultural facilities are procured in traditional design-bid-build contracts. Sport facilities, infrastructure, housing and urban area developments are generally procured with integrated contracts.
