SEP and the Architects' Association bring together industry professionals for an important meeting to enhance collaboration

To promote collaboration and mutual understanding between builders, designers, and architects, the SEP design and construction office and the Latvian Architects Association gathered industry representatives for an "Architects' Breakfast." The well-attended event provided an excellent networking opportunity, as well as a chance to discuss current industry issues.

Several presentations on industry trends were also held during the event.

Working on industry development

Edijs Kup?s , Chairman of the Board of the Latvian Construction Association ( Latvijas Būvuz?ēmēju apvienība ), outlined the development of the construction industry and highlighted areas the association aims to improve. In his presentation, he emphasized key focus areas that could enhance the construction sector:

Industry Digitalization – The association is focusing on the digitalization of the construction sector, promoting the mandatory implementation of BIM (Building Information Modeling) by 2025, and developing the Construction Information System (BIS). They are collaborating with regulatory institutions to establish minimum standards and are implementing cross-industry and cross-border knowledge exchange to integrate the latest digital solutions and practices.

Industry Regulations and Statistics – The association is working to improve construction industry legislation and regulations, reviewing and updating laws to meet modern requirements and international standards. Additionally, they ensure the accuracy and availability of industry statistics, promoting data collection and analysis to reflect market trends and growth opportunities.

Sustainability and Green Construction – The association is committed to promoting sustainable and green construction. Their main goal is to ensure readiness for sustainability requirements and emission reduction, fostering collaboration among all sectors, businesses, and institutions. This includes certification processes like BREEAM, LEED, and DGNB, the introduction of circular economy principles, and building lifecycle assessments.

Public Procurement in Construction – The association is also working to improve public construction procurement processes, moving beyond a lowest-price approach with structural changes that focus on cost reduction from the design phase. The emphasis is on professional project management practices, as well as initiatives like indexation, payments, and guarantees to ensure effective and fair financial management.

Business Growth and Shadow Economy – The association is focusing on business growth and tackling the shadow economy. Key areas include promoting the use of prefabricated products to improve productivity and quality, as well as boosting competitiveness and export potential. Measures to reduce bureaucracy, improve oversight, and offer tax relief are being implemented to foster a fair and responsible business environment.

Education, Safety, and Workforce Availability – The association is also focused on improving education and workforce availability in the construction industry, especially emphasizing professional experience in practice. Activities include the creation of systems that encourage the accumulation and demonstration of experience, ensuring the availability of highly skilled workers and specialists. The goal is to increase efficiency, productivity, and safety in the workplace while improving the industry's competitiveness and education standards.

AI – A Tool or Future Competitor?

SEP's Commercial Director, Olegs Umanskis , shared his experience and insights on the use of artificial intelligence in design, as well as future prospects for AI applications in the field. One of the main takeaways was that AI offers the opportunity to increase efficiency and innovation in design, allowing engineers and architects to create smarter, faster, and more sustainable solutions:

• Faster Project Development: AI can automate time-consuming design processes, enabling projects to be developed and reviewed significantly faster than with traditional methods.
• Optimized Design Solutions: AI can analyze vast amounts of data, offering better and more efficient solutions that reduce material consumption and costs.
• Error Detection: AI can identify errors in the project, such as clashes between construction elements, before they are realized during the construction process, thus reducing error costs.
• Visual Simulations and Modeling: AI helps efficiently create 3D visualizations and simulations, allowing for precise modeling of lighting, energy flow, ventilation, and other behaviors.

• Data Analysis and Decision Making: AI enables analysis of project data, helping to make more informed decisions regarding construction solutions and material selection.
• BIM Integration: AI is increasingly being integrated with BIM (Building Information Modeling) systems, improving coordination between various disciplines (architects, engineers, builders).
• Personalized Solutions: AI can offer customized designs based on specific client needs, such as personalized architectural or interior solutions.
• Progressive Integration: AI integration in design is still developing and has tremendous potential. New platforms and tools are currently being developed, gradually making AI a daily tool in design offices.

Reforming the Architecture Sector

Meanwhile, Anda Kursisa , Board Member of the Latvian Association of Architectural Firms, discussed the industry's challenges and potential ways to improve the architecture sector. She took a critical stance on the current status quo and highlighted several areas that need improvement in the architectural sector:

Anda Kursi?a pointed out an insufficient number of architects in Latvia. On average, the EU has one architect per 1,000 people. In Latvia, the situation is significantly different, with only 0.4 architects per 1,000 people.

This has led to a deficit of quality architectural services. With over 700 architects in Latvia and more than 800 companies offering architectural services, some architects are working for multiple companies as project signatories, often without thoroughly evaluating the quality and safety of the projects...

She also pointed out association initiatives aimed at improving the sector.

It is encouraging that during the event, there were calls to organize such gatherings regularly to continue strengthening the dialogue and development among industry professionals. Additionally, it was a great opportunity for many to showcase their services and businesses, as well as to find new collaborations and business partners.

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