GENERAL TERMS

1.1.These Terms and Conditions (hereinafter - the Terms) determine the rules of registration and conduct of the competition named “The Architect’s Stair / Edition #1”. 

1.2.Buildner is the trading brand of BUILDNER SLU, e-mail address [email protected] (hereinafter – the Buildner).

1.3.Buildner reserves the right to update or amend these Terms and Conditions at any time. By using this Portal and registering for the Competition, the Participant fully and irrevocably agrees to these Terms and Conditions, which form a contract between the Participant and the Organizer. Please review them carefully.

1.4.The use and disclosure of personal information provided by the Participant is subject to the Portal Privacy Policy and Cookies Policy. Please read these documents before using the Portal or providing any personal information within the Portal.

 

DEFINITIONS

2.1.“Portal” is portal https://architecturecompetitions.com/. It is clarified that the Portal is not related to the organized Competitions, but is only a platform for placing competition offers, for registration and submission to Competitions.

2.2.“Competitions” are architecture and design concept competitions organized by Organizer through the Portal.

2.3.“Organizer” is the Buildner, which organizes and administers the Competitions.

2.4.“Participant” is person or team registering for the Competition. Participant can participate in the Competition with full rights (Ordinary Participant) or limited rights (Limited Participant). Participant within the Terms is understood both Ordinary Participant and Limited Participant unless otherwise specified in separate clauses.

2.4.1.“Ordinary Participant” participate in the Competition with full rights, including the right to receive a Prize.

2.4.2.“Limited Participant” participate in Competition with limited rights - limited Participant have the right to participate in Competition and to participate together with Regular Participants in the selection of the winner, but without the right to receive a Prize in case of win.

2.5.“Verifier” is the party that provides Participant’s profile verification service on the architectural professional (student) verification portal Architects' Network - https://an.pro.

2.6.“Competition Brief” is a separate document setting out specific requirements for each particular Competition.

2.7.“Submission” is the design proposal submitted within the Competition, regardless whether or not completed or finished.

2.8.“Jury” is the group of professionals judging Submissions in a Competition.

2.9.“Prize” is monetary award for the Ordinary Participant for winning the Competition.

 

PARTICIPANT ELIGIBILITY AND REGISTRATION

3.1.Competitions are open to any Participant aged 18 and over.

3.2.Participants participate in the Competition individually or as a team. Participant teams consist of at least 2 members and are restricted to a maximum of 4 (four) persons. Participant (also applicable to Participant Team) participate in the Competition as Ordinary Participant or Limited Participant.

3.3.Participant (also applicable to Participant Team in case if one of Participant Team Member complies) cannot participate in a Competitions and will be immediately disqualified and forfeit all of prizes if Participant or Team Member is or become:

3.3.1.a minor under age 18;

3.3.2.a resident of, or ordinarily resident in Russian Federation (effective from February 24, 2022);

3.3.3.otherwise prohibited by applicable export controls and sanctions programs;

3.3.4.a resident anywhere that a Competitions are prohibited by law;

3.3.5.a current employee, intern, contractor, officer, director of Buildner, the Organizer or the Jury, their associate or family member.

3.4.By registering for the Competition and/or providing a Submission the Participant expressly and unequivocally certifies full compliance with any and all eligibility requirements.

3.5.The Organizer reserves the right to verify Participant’s eligibility and to adjudicate any dispute regarding eligibility at its sole discretion. Participant agree to provide the Organizer with any proof of eligibility requested, and refusal or failure to provide such proof within 5 (five) days of Organizer's request will result in disqualification from a Competition and forfeiture of any prizes.

3.6.To participate in a Competition, a Participant follows the registration procedure (Registration):

3.6.1. Before registering to participate in the Competition, all team members, including the team leader, must register and verify their profiles on the architectural professional (student) verification portal, Architects’ Network (https://an.pro), managed by the Verifier. The verification process is essential to ensure that all participants are protected from fraud, including infringement of intellectual property rights, by other participants. Verification methods may include the submission of government-issued identification (such as a passport or driver’s license), biometric verification methods (such as facial recognition), and the use of a secure app or device camera. These procedures are carried out through a certified third-party provider operating under strict data protection and privacy regulations. By registering, participants agree to complete this identity verification process as a condition of participation.

The Verifier will charge a subscription fee of 4.95 € per month per verified user. The subscription can be canceled at any time by the team members.

3.6.2.The Participant pays the Registration Fee (or first part of the Registration Fee in accordance with the Terms) on the Portal. Once the Registration Fee (or first part of the Registration Fee in accordance with the Terms) is received, the Participant will receive an automatically generated confirmation email containing a Unique Identification Code (“UIC”).Participant is solely and fully responsible for entering the correct email to receive the UIC.

3.6.3.After receiving the UIC, the Participant logs into the Portal using Architects' Network (https://an.pro) authentication tool.

3.6.4.In case of individual participation, to complete the registration procedure, the Participant selects “Validate New Registration” page and enters received UIC. In case of successful UIC entry, the Competition will be added to the Participant's profile on the Portal.

3.6.5.In the case of team participation, to complete the registration procedure, the first Participant selects “Validate New Registration” page and enters received UIC. The first Participant who enters the received UIC, becomes the team leader, with whom all communication, including the transfer of correspondence, takes place. The other team members log into the Portal, select the "Join Team" page, enter the team leader's UIC and wait for the team leader's confirmation. It is the responsibility of the team leader to manually approve all team members in his/her profile. Unconfirmed team members will not be featured in the Competition results, and in case of won, unconfirmed team members will not be eligible to receive the Prize;

3.6.6.All Participants and team members are obliged to verify profile on the architectural professional (student) verification portal Architects' Network (https://an.pro) until the day of valuation of Submissions. If the Participant or team member has an unverified profile on the architectural professional (student) verification portal Architects' Network (https://an.pro) , the Organizer may deny the Participants or the team valuation of the Submission by the Jury and it may be grounds for disqualification (see Disqualification of Submissions Section).

3.6.7.The Organizer is entitled to transfer Participant’s data to Commissioning Party and Jury.

3.7.By registering for a Competition and/or providing any Submission the Participant agrees to the processing of any personal data and information according to the Portal Privacy Policy and Cookies Policy.

3.8.The Organizer reserves the right to change or omit Participant Team names, particularly if they are, in the Organizer's sole opinion, offensive or obscene, or violate the intellectual property rights of others. If Participant creates team name that is offensive or obscene, or violates the intellectual property rights of others (in each case, as determined at the Organizer’s sole discretion), Team may be disqualified from the Competition.

 

SUBMISSIONS

4.1. All Submissions must be the original work of the Participant (or Participant Team). The visual materials of the Submission must not have been previously published by any of the Participant or members of Participant Teams. In case of detection of a violation of this term, the Organizer solely evaluates the significance of the violation.

In case claims of a copyright violation are received regarding the concept or idea that are applicable to the competition assignment, the Organizer will evaluate the claim internally following these guidelines:

4.1.1. Design Concept Core Ideas and Themes

4.1.1.1. Comparison of Concepts:  

The Organizer will conduct an in-depth comparison of the underlying design concepts of both projects to determine whether the core ideas and themes are similar or if there are unique interpretations. This includes an examination of the architectural philosophy and objectives that guided each project.

4.1.1.2. Originality and Innovation:  

The Organizer will assess the level of originality and innovation in each design, focusing on how each project interprets its core concept uniquely. This will involve analyzing how the concept is manifested in the design and any novel approaches used in its development.

4.1.1.3. Influences and Inspirations:  

The investigation will consider documented influences and inspirations for both designs to understand the context in which they were developed. The Organizer will explore the historical, cultural, or personal influences that may have shaped the design choices and assess whether these influences are common or unique to each project.

4.1.2. Functional Elements Layout and Space Utilization

4.1.2.1. Spatial Organization:  

The Organizer will evaluate the spatial organization of each project, examining how spaces are arranged and interconnected. This includes analyzing the flow of movement, the relationship between different functional areas, and how efficiently the space is utilized.

4.1.2.2. Purpose and Functionality:  

The Organizer will assess whether the projects serve similar purposes or functions and identify any significant overlaps. This involves reviewing the intended use of each space and how well each design achieves its functional goals.

4.1.2.3. Design Efficiency:  

The investigation will examine the efficiency of the layout, including how well the design optimizes space usage, facilitates user interaction, and meets the needs of its intended occupants.

4.1.3. Aesthetic Features

4.1.3.1. Architectural Style:  

The Organizer will analyze the architectural style and visual language of both projects to identify any resemblances. This includes reviewing the overall form, structure, and stylistic elements that define each design.

4.1.3.2. Materials and Detailing:  

The Organizer will evaluate the choice of materials, construction techniques, and detailing used in each project. This involves comparing the textures, colors, finishes, and craftsmanship to determine if there are significant similarities.

4.1.3.3. Artistic Expression:  

The investigation will consider the artistic expression of each design, focusing on how aesthetics contribute to the project’s overall impact and character. The Organizer will assess the creativity and uniqueness of the visual elements and how they enhance the design concept.

4.1.4. Contextual Response

4.1.4.1. Environmental and Site-Specific Considerations:  

The Organizer will analyze how each design responds to its specific site and environmental conditions. This includes assessing how the design integrates with its surroundings, addresses site constraints, and takes advantage of natural features.

4.1.4.2. Cultural and Social Context:  

The Organizer will evaluate how each project reflects or responds to its cultural and social context. This involves reviewing the cultural significance of the design, its impact on the community, and how well it aligns with local values and traditions.

4.1.4.3. Sustainability and Environmental Impact:  

The Organizer will assess the sustainability features of each project, including energy efficiency, resource conservation, and environmental impact. This evaluation will consider how each design incorporates sustainable practices and whether these elements are similar.

4.1.5. Request for Explanation

If the Organizer deems it necessary, the Participant may be asked to provide a comprehensive explanation of their design process. This request may include:

4.1.5.1. Design Process: A detailed description of the design process, including the steps taken to develop the project and the reasoning behind key design decisions.

4.1.5.2. Sources of Inspiration: A clear identification of any sources of inspiration, including architectural works, cultural references, or other influences that have contributed to the design.

4.1.5.3. Evolution of Ideas: Documentation or explanation of how the project concept evolved from initial ideas to the final submission, highlighting any changes and innovations made during the development process.

4.1.6. The Organizer is not obligated to disclose the evaluation process or findings publicly. After the evaluation is conducted, an internal jury will determine whether the work is to be disqualified. The Organizer’s decision and evaluation are final and cannot be used as evidence or referenced in any legal action that may be initiated by third parties against the Participant (or Participant Team).

4.2.The Participant confirms that the Submission does not infringe any copyright, rights related to trademarks, trade secrets, designs or patents of any third party.

4.3.The Participant shall be ready to supply copyright licenses for images used if requested by Organizer. A failure to supply such licenses within the period specified by Organizer may be grounds for disqualification.

4.4.The Participant assumes full liability for any infringement of rights and acknowledges that any Submission in any significant breach of these rights may be grounds for disqualification (see Disqualification of Submissions Section). In case that a third-party asserts infringement of intellectual property rights against Organizer, the Participant shall be liable for all costs in relation to acts required to defend against such actions.

4.5.All Submissions must conform to the Terms and Conditions and the rules and guidelines set out in the Competition Brief. Any significant breach of this term may be grounds for disqualification (see Disqualification of Submissions Section).

4.6.All Submissions must be made solely through the specified upload panel within the Portal, access to which is granted upon successful Registration and payment of Registration Fee (or first part of the Registration Fee in accordance with the Terms). Submissions received by email or any other delivery method will not be considered.

4.7.The Participant may continue to upload Submissions and/or edits through the specified upload panel within the Portal until 24.00, London Time, on the date of the Submission deadline. Participant is responsible for determining the corresponding time in his/her time zone.

4.8.The Participant must submit a presentation panel or a series of panels as required by the specific competition. Each panel must be saved in the JPEG format (.jpg or .jpeg extensions) and the file size of each panel must not exceed 10 megabytes (MB) to ensure the integrity of the submission process on the Portal. The exact number of panels required will be determined by the competition brief, which will stipulate whether a single panel or up to four panels are necessary for the Participant's entry. It is the responsibility of the Participant to adhere to these specifications when preparing their design proposal for submission. Failure to comply with these format and size requirements may result in the disqualification of the Participant's submission.

4.9.The Participants are permitted to upload an unlimited number of submissions for the competition. In scenarios where additional submission options are available (applicable for selected competitions) and can be purchased at a discounted fee, these submissions must be linked to the same Unique Identification Code (UIC). Such additional submissions can be acquired either via the registration form or directly in the upload panel. It is imperative to note that the team associated with a given registration must remain consistent across all submissions made under that UIC. With a single registration, a team is enabled to submit multiple design proposals; however, the composition and information of the team must remain unchanged for all these submissions, ensuring equitable involvement and contribution from all team members. In cases where submissions involve different teams, distinct registrations are required for each team composition.

 

ENSURING THE INTEGRITY OF THE COMPETITION

5.1.The Participant must ensure that Submissions do not include any marks, logos, symbols, or signs that may identify its authority or source during the evaluation of the Submission by the Jury. Any significant breach of these rule may be grounds for disqualification (see Disqualification of Submissions Section).

5.2.The Participant may not approach or address any member of the Jury or the Commissioning Party during the Competition. Any breach of these rules will lead to immediate disqualification.

5.3.The Jury will be made aware of a Participant’s identity only after the winners are selected.

 

PUBLICITY

6.1.By registering for the Competition, the Participant acknowledges and agrees that all aspects of any Submission (including, but not limited to, narratives, descriptions, details, images, illustrations, photographs, and animations and names and images of the Participants) may be used by the Organizer for publicity purposes.

6.2.The Participant agrees to participate in the promotional activities and the publicity arrangements for the Competition. The Organizer is authorised to use any and all statements made by the Participant in connection with the Competition without additional approval and consent.

6.3.The Organizer reserves the right to undertake promotional activities and/or publicity arrangements through the Portal or other channels, as well as to discontinue any of its activities and/or arrangements at any time.

6.4.Publications advertised or referenced in the Competition Brief are not binding on the Organizer. The Organizer shall make every effort to follow the announced publication schedule, but cannot be held responsible for publishers' decisions.

 

FEES AND COSTS

7.1.During Registration Participant must effect payment of the Registration Fee for the Competition.

7.2.The Registration Fee is a payment for registration for the Competition, for data processing and for covering administrative costs.

7.2.1.When registering for the Competition, the Participant chooses participation model – to register as Regular Participant or Limited Participant. Registration Fee for Regular Participant and Limited Participant are different. The difference is based on the fact that Limited Participant do not receive a prize in case of winning places (see Terms below). During the Competition it is not possible to change the participation model (Regular or Limited) chosen at the time of registration. The Registrar asks Participant to be careful and evaluate all arguments when choosing the participation model.

7.2.2.During Registration for the Competition, the Participant chooses the terms of payment of the Registration Fee - the Participant is entitled to pay the Registration Fee in one payment or in three monthly payments. In case of monthly payment, at the time of registration the Participant pays the Registration Fee for the first month and makes payments for the remaining two months according to the payment schedule indicated at the time of registration. An additional fee is applied for dividing the Registration Fee into three monthly payments.

7.2.3.At the time of payment of the Registration Fee (or part thereof), the Participant undertakes to ensure that there are sufficient funds in his/her chosen payment method account to pay the full Registration Fee or the monthly payment of the Registration fee (depending on the participant's choice at registration).

7.2.4.The Participant is warned that if there are insufficient funds in the Participant's account at the time of payment of the Registration fee (or monthly payment), the Participant is obliged to contact the Organizer immediately and request an alternative method of payment. In case the Participant does not contact the Organizer and does not request to be given an alternative method of payment within 6 (six) days from the day of payment delay, the Participant is being disqualified from the Competition, all prizes will be revoked and the already paid Registration fee is not refunded.

7.2.5.The Participant agrees that in case of non-payment of the Registration Fee (or monthly payment), the Organizer is entitled to apply to the debt collectors of the respective country and to the courts with claims for recovery of the unpaid Registration fee (or monthly payment). In this case, in addition to the Registration Fee, the Participant will be charged all costs related to debt collection, including court fees, debt collection costs, legal fees, etc. payments. Subsequent payment or recovery of the Registration Fee shall not renew the participation of disqualified Participant in the Competition and does not entitle the Participant to receive the Prize.

7.3. Registration Fee Refund Policy and Insurance Option: The Registration Fee for the competition is non-refundable, except in circumstances where the Competition is suspended.

The only way to make the Registration Fee refundable is by opting for the Insurance Program at the moment of registration, and no later. For selected competitions, the Organiser offers Participants the option to purchase Registration Fee Insurance. This additional service, which incurs an extra fee added to the standard Registration Fee, provides the Participant with the opportunity for a partial refund of the Registration Fee under specific conditions.

Refund Amount: Participants who opt for Registration Fee Insurance are eligible for a maximum refund of up to 70% of the paid Registration Fee.

Refund Claim Deadline: To be eligible for this refund, Participants must submit their claim at least 15 days prior to the official competition submission deadline, no later than midnight London time. All claims for a refund under the insurance policy must be sent via official email communication to any of the @Buildner.com email addresses by this deadline.

Scope of Refund: This refund applies exclusively to the Registration Fee. Any additional fees paid for supplementary services, including the cost of the Registration Fee Insurance itself, are not subject to refund under this policy.

In cases where Participants, at the time of registration, opt to add extra design purchases (a feature available in selected competitions), the refund policy extends to encompass all such registrations. This includes the original Registration Fee and all additional design submission options. Therefore, should a refund claim be made under the Insurance policy, it will apply collectively to the Registration Fee for the initial entry and any supplementary design submissions made by the Participant.

7.4.The Participant is responsible for all costs and disbursements incurred in preparing a Submission. The Participant is not entitled to claim the repayment of Registration Fee and/or the reimbursement any of its expenses related thereto.

7.5. The Registration Fee is payable by the Participant in Euros through PayPal or by credit or debit card. However, please note that the Architects’ Network ID verification fee is only payable by credit or debit card; PayPal is not accepted for this verification process.

 

DISQUALIFICATION OF SUBMISSIONS

8.1.Participants will be disqualified if non-compliance with the above restrictions for participants, also in case of providing false information about Participant during registration or concerning eligibility.

8.2.Any significant non-compliance of the Submission with these Terms and Conditions, the Competition Brief or other applicable requirements may be grounds for disqualification. The Organizer has the right to make a decision on the disqualification of the Submission after evaluating the factors of the significance of the violation (for example, evaluating whether the reason for the disqualification is significant, causes damage, is preventable, etc). In case of a significant violation, the Organizer has the right to disqualify the Submission. In case of a minor violation, the Organizer has the right to warn the Participant about the violation without disqualification of the Submission. The Organizer is not obliged to notify and to inform the Participants about decision and the evaluated arguments.

8.3.Participants shall not communicate with any member of the Jury during the term of the Competition. Should it become known that a winning Submission was submitted by a Participant in breach of this rule, the Submission shall be disqualified and the prize revoked.

8.4.All Submissions received by the Organizer after the closing date and time for Submission will be automatically disqualified.

8.5.In case the Participant does not pay the Registration Fee or part of the monthly payment according to the schedule indicated at the time of registration, the Participant will be automatically disqualified from participating in the Competition and the prizes received by the Participant will be revoked.

8.6.The Organizer will notify Participant regarding the disqualification of a Submission. Nevertheless, the Organizer is under no obligation to refund any Registration Fee or monthly payment. If winning Submission will be disqualified, the Participant shall be obliged to return any prize monies awarded.

 

CANCELLATION OF THE COMPETITION

9.1.The Organizer reserves the right to cancel or suspend the Competition or alter the Terms and Conditions and/or the Competition Brief and/or other applicable requirements at any time and stage at its own discretion, including but limited if it is considered necessary or if circumstances arise outside of its control.

9.2.In a case of suspension of a Competition the Registration Fees of Participant shall be returned.

 

SELECTION OF THE WINNER

10.1.The Guest Jury shall be identified on the Competition Portal. Any changes to the Guest Jury shall be at the Organizer’s discretion.

10.2.The Organizer reserves the right to assign judges, agents, or other authorised administrator to administer its Competitions, including making any decision or exercising such decisions at its discretion.

10.3.Prior to registering for any Competition, Participants are advised to seek information about the Guest Jury and Commissioning Party from the Organizer, since establishing and maintaining eligibility for the duration of the Competition is the sole responsibility of each Participant.

10.4.The determination of the Competition winners commences following the closure of the submission deadline, wherein the Organizer administration, in coordination with the Organizer in-house jury panel and invited specialists encompassing budget, technical, and cultural advisors, undertake the task of analyzing and evaluating all project submissions. Organizer reserves the full liberty to select and appoint members of its in- house jury at its discretion, as well as to invite external experts and specialists as deemed necessary for each competition. This meticulous process involves creating a shortlist of submissions, which is derived from a comprehensive review of entries. Subsequently, this shortlist is presented to the invited Guest Jury panel, consisting of experts and authorities in relevant fields. The Guest Jury panel is responsible for the selection and ranking of the shortlisted submissions, utilizing a point system to ascertain the winning entries. Moreover, Organizer retains the discretion to organize a virtual conference among the Guest Jury panel members to facilitate detailed discussions and deliberations about the submissions. This step, taken at Organizer’s discretion, aims to ensure a thorough and fair assessment of all entries, thereby upholding the integrity and standards of the Competition. Through this structured and rigorous process, the winners are ultimately decided, reflecting a blend of expert evaluation and comprehensive analysis.

10.4.1.For the sake of clarity, it is clarified that winners are not selected separately from Regular Participants and Limited Participants, but consolidated anonymous list of Submissions from all Participants. During the selection of winner, the Jury evaluates only the Submissions, but does not know any information about the Participant who submitted the Submission, including information about the type of participation.

10.4.2.The decision is final, no appeals will be allowed and no further communication will be entered into by the Organizer either with Participant or judges.

10.4.3.Only Regular Participants receive Prize in case of win. If a Limited Participant is selected as the winner, the respective Participant does not receive the Prize; in such case, the Prize is not transferred to another Participant.

10.5.After the winners of the Competition are selected, the Organizer transfers this information to the Commissioning Party.

10.6.Unless stated otherwise in the particular Competition Brief, the association and/or relationship of Organizer with any member of the Jury does not imply any contract, partnership, agency relationship or endorsement of any member of the Jury.

10.7. The Guest Jury panel, in coordination with the Organizer, reserves the right to request additional time for the evaluation of project submissions should it be deemed necessary to ensure a thorough and comprehensive assessment. In such instances, the Organizer retains the discretion to extend the evaluation period, thereby postponing the announcement of the Competition results. This measure, undertaken solely to uphold the integrity and rigor of the judging process, shall be exercised only when deemed essential for maintaining the highest standards of review and deliberation.

 

PRIZE

11.1.The Prize is announced on the Competition Portal.If the Prize is a prize fund, then the prize fund is distributed among all Participants who have the right to receive the Prize.

11.2.Participant is entitled to receive the Prize only personally and is not entitled to transfer the Prize to other persons.

11.3.Prize pay-out conditions:

11.3.1.After announcing the results of the Competition, the Participant must enter a bank account for payment of the Prize in his/her profile on the Portal (if the Participant is entitled to receive a Prize).

11.3.2.To allow time for any public concerns regarding copyright claims or plagiarism, to be fully addressed, the Organizer will endeavour to send the Prizes to the winner starting from 46th (forty-sixth) business day after notification of the decision of the Jury and receiving a signed confirmation from the winner.

11.3.3.The Prize is paid out when the Participant manually enters his/her bank account in the Portal and selects the cash out option.

11.3.4.The Participant is entitled to pay out the Prize in one or more payments or to use the Prize to cover the registration fees of other contests at his/her discretion. For each Prize payment transaction, the Participant pays a commission fee of EUR 25.00 (twenty-five euros).

11.3.5.The Participant is obliged to pay the prize no later than within 1 (one) year from the publication of the results.Unpaid Prizes remain the property of the Organizer.

11.4.Prizes of different competitions do not add up.

11.5.The Participant hereby confirms its binding commitment to engage and cooperate with the Commissioning Party after the Competition in case it submits the winning Submission. The Commissioning Party undertakes no promise or commitment to construct the project in the Submission or as envisioned in the Submission.

11.6.If the Regular Participant whose Submission has been selected as the Winner of Competition cannot accept, receive or becomes ineligible for the prize for any reason, the Prize is awarded to the next highest ranked Participant. in this case, the person who cannot accept, receive or becomes ineligible for the prize is not entitled to request a later transfer of the prize from the Organizer. 11.6.1.If next highest ranked Participant is Limited Participant, the prize remains the property of the Organizer.

11.7.Participant is solely responsible for complying with all applicable tax laws and filing requirements, as well as for paying all taxes, duties, and other fees imposed on prizes awarded.

11.8. Public Favorite Award

11.8.1. For selected Competitions, the Organiser may grant an additional opportunity for recognition in the form of a Public Favorite Award. This Award is separate from the prizes outlined above and is announced at the sole discretion of the Organiser.

11.8.2. The Public Favorite Award may be announced during the active period of the Competition or on the day of the publication of the official results.

11.8.3. The Award will be granted to one (1) shortlisted Submission based on public voting.

11.8.4. Only Submissions that are shortlisted by the Jury will be eligible for inclusion in the public voting process. If a Submission is not available for voting, it is considered not to be shortlisted.

11.8.5. The public voting process will commence immediately after the official results are published on the Organiser’s Portal and will remain open for forty-eight (48) hours. After this period, the Submission with the highest number of valid votes will receive the Public Favorite Award.

11.8.6. Voting is available to any person with an active Architects’ Network Plus subscription (https://an.pro).

11.8.7. Each Architects’ Network Plus subscriber receives ten (10) free votes per calendar month. Votes are reset on the first (1st) day of each month and do not accumulate or transfer between months.

11.8.8. Votes may not be transferred to other accounts.

11.8.9. Architects’ Network Plus subscribers may purchase additional votes for their own account. Purchased votes are non-refundable and may be carried over to the following months.

11.8.10. Authors of shortlisted Submissions are permitted to vote for their own projects.

11.8.11. In the event that two (2) or more Submissions receive the highest and equal number of votes, the Public Favorite Award shall be split equally among the tied Submissions.

 

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

12.1.Intellectual property rights include all rights including but not limited to copyright, trademarks, service marks, trade names, design rights, patents, know-how, trade secrets, inventions and other forms of intellectual or industrial property, whether registered or unregistered and all applications for the same (the “Intellectual Property Rights”).

12.2.Upon providing the Submission to a Competition, the Participant and/or each member of the Participant Team grants to Organizer an unrestricted, worldwide, irrevocable and royalty-free, full license to the Intellectual Property Rights of the Submission and/or any part thereof as follows: publicly display by any means and in any media; to copy, modify, translate and/or adapt, archive and distribute for publicity purposes and use Submission and all information contained therein in any other ways (including for commercial purposes) without any further notice or remuneration to the Participant.

12.3.By transferring all Intellectual Property Rights of the Submission and/or any part thereof to the Organizer, the Participant (including each team member) agrees that the Organizer has the right to use the Submission and all information contained therein (including the solutions, designs, concepts and other creative results) in machine learning processes (Artificial Intelligence learning processes) or transfer it to third parties who will use the Submission and all information contained therein these processes.The Participant (including each team member) agrees that as a result of machine learning processes (Artificial Intelligence learning processes), the Submission or the information contained in it (including the solutions, designs, concepts and other creative results) may be partially or fully reproduced, copied and modified, and these results (including visual materials, designs) will be considered the result of a machine creation, which the Organizer or any other third party will be entitled to use for commercial purposes. The Participant (including each team member) waives all claims, demands and objections against the Organizer or any other third party in this regard.

12.4.The Organizer has the rights, but is not obliged to use all or any of the Intellectual Property Rights licensed above.

12.5.All credits in connection with the Submission are associated with the registered name of Participant or the title of the Participant Team. Organizer shall make a reasonable effort to display the author's name on any Submission whenever published or otherwise featured.

12.6.The Participant undertakes to not exploit any of its personal rights arising out of the Intellectual Property Rights in any time and manner contrary to the interests of the Organizer.

12.7. In addition to the rights granted above, the Participant and/or each member of the Participant Team expressly grants to the Organizer the right to use, publish, and include the Submission (or any part thereof) in any book or publication produced by or on behalf of the Organizer, without the need for any additional permission from the Participant or any member of the Participant Team. This includes the right to use the Submission for the purposes of compiling, editing, and publishing such book or publication, in any format or media, and to distribute, sell, or otherwise make available such book or publication to the public. The Participant and/or each member of the Participant Team agrees that no additional payment, royalty, or other compensation is required to be provided by the Organizer for such use of the Submission.

12.8. The Participant and/or each member of the Participant Team acknowledges and agrees that the Organizer is under no obligation to use, publish, or include the Submission in any book or publication and that any decision to do so is at the sole and absolute discretion of the Organizer. The rights granted under this clause are irrevocable and shall remain in effect indefinitely. The Participant and/or each member of the Participant Team waives any right to inspect or approve the finished book or publication, or the use to which it may be applied.

 

LIABILITY AND INDEMNITY

13.1.By registering or providing a Submission to a Competition, the Participant agrees to release, discharge and hold harmless the Organizer and its partners, representatives and judges from any claims, losses, damages, expenses and liabilities (including attorney’s fees and settlement fees) arising out of the involvement of Participant in a Competition, the provision of any Submission, any exploitation of Submission by the Organizer, including any infringement of Intellectual Property Rights, or any other activities of Participant related to a Competition.

 

CLAIMS AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCEDURE

14.1. Informal Resolution

If the Participant has complaints or concerns regarding the services or operation of the Portal, the Participant is encouraged to first contact the Organizer to attempt an informal resolution. The Participant may initiate this process by sending an email detailing the complaint to: [email protected]. The Organizer is committed to working in good faith to address and resolve the Participant’s concerns.

14.2. Formal Dispute Resolution and Arbitration Agreement

If a dispute cannot be resolved through informal means, any claim or dispute arising out of or related to the Participant’s access to or use of the Portal, these Terms, or any related policies shall be resolved through binding arbitration, as outlined below:

• Arbitration Scope: This arbitration agreement covers any claim or dispute between the Participant and the Organizer arising out of or connected to the Participant’s use of the Portal. 

• Exclusions: The Participant and the Organizer may bring claims in small claims court if they qualify. Additionally, the Participant may pursue equitable relief in court solely for intellectual property matters (e.g., copyrights, trademarks) directly involving third parties, without requiring or implying any involvement, responsibility, or liability on the part of the Organizer.

Intellectual Property Matters: The Participant acknowledges that any intellectual property disputes related to competition project submissions, including but not limited to claims of copyright, trademark, or patent infringement, are the sole responsibility of the Participant. The Organizer shall have no obligation to assist, enforce, or defend against any intellectual property claims or disputes arising between the Participant and third parties. Furthermore, the Participant expressly waives any right to seek indemnification, reimbursement, or legal support from the Organizer in connection with any intellectual property claims, disputes, or enforcement actions.

In line with these Terms, the Participant agrees:

•  To independently manage and resolve any intellectual property issues or disputes that may arise from competition submissions, ensuring compliance with all applicable intellectual property laws. 

•  To bear all costs, legal fees, and expenses associated with any intellectual property claims or disputes, including any actions initiated by or against third parties. 

•  That the Organizer shall not be named or involved as a party in any intellectual property claims, proceedings, or disputes, except where required by law. In the event that the Organizer is involuntarily named or involved, the Participant agrees to indemnify and hold the Organizer harmless against any associated claims, liabilities, or expenses.

14.3. Arbitration Process

•  Arbitration Rules: Arbitration shall be conducted by a neutral arbitrator in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association (AAA) for U.S. Participants, or the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) for Participants outside of the U.S., unless otherwise agreed by the parties.

•  Location: Arbitration shall take place in Andorra or at another mutually agreed-upon location, or via teleconference if both parties consent.

•  Arbitrator’s Authority: The arbitrator shall have the authority to grant any relief available in court under law or equity. The arbitrator’s decision shall be final and binding on all parties.

14.4. Class Action Waiver

All claims and disputes arising under these Terms must be resolved exclusively on an individual basis. The Participant explicitly waives any right to bring or participate in any claim, dispute, or action as a plaintiff or member in any class, collective, or representative proceeding against the Organizer. This waiver applies to any claim that may otherwise allow for collective action under applicable law and precludes the Participant from acting as a class representative or from seeking relief on behalf of any group, collective, or purported representative body.

The Participant further agrees that:

•  Under no circumstances shall claims or disputes with the Organizer be joined or consolidated with claims of any other individual or entity, whether through arbitration or any other legal process.

•  Any attempt by the Participant to initiate or join a collective or representative proceeding shall constitute a breach of these Terms and shall entitle the Organizer to seek immediate enforcement of this waiver, including dismissal of such collective claims.

•  In the event that any aspect of this Class Action Waiver is deemed unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, any allowable class or representative claims will be limited strictly to claims brought in the Participant’s individual capacity.

By agreeing to this Class Action Waiver, the Participant acknowledges that they are relinquishing their right to participate in class, collective, or representative actions and affirms that all claims or disputes will be adjudicated solely on an individual basis as stipulated in these Terms. This waiver shall remain fully enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by law, and any deviation from this provision will not be construed as a waiver of the Organizer’s rights under these Terms.

•  Batch Arbitration: If multiple similar claims are filed within a 30-day period, they may be batched together for efficiency but will still be processed as individual claims. This batching shall not constitute a class action or collective arbitration.

14.5. Waiver of Jury Trial

By agreeing to arbitration, the Participant and the Organizer waive the right to a trial by jury or to have claims heard in court, except in the limited cases outlined above.

14.6. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Organizer’s liability for any claim or damages arising from the Participant’s use of the Portal is limited to a maximum of €100. This limitation applies to all types of damages, including direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, and any loss of profits or revenues, whether incurred directly or indirectly.

14.7. Applicable Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms and any disputes arising from the Participant’s use of the Portal shall be governed by the laws of Andorra, excluding its conflict of law principles. Any arbitration or court proceedings will be conducted in Andorra, based on the Organizer’s legal address at the time the action is filed.

14.8. Indemnification

The Participant agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Organizer from any claims, damages, liabilities, losses, and expenses (including legal fees) resulting from the Participant’s breach of these Terms, use of the Portal, or any third-party claims related to actions taken on the Portal.

14.9. Severability

If any part of these Terms, including this dispute resolution section, is deemed unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full effect and shall be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

COMMUNICATION

15.1.Communication pertaining to competition queries and announcements will be exclusively conducted via official email channels, distinguished by the @buildner.com domain. This ensures the integrity and official status of all communication.

15.2.Organizer will engage in communication solely with the designated Team Leader of each participating team. This protocol is established to maintain streamlined and effective communication.

15.3.Where SMS notifications are available as an optional service, they are to be considered ancillary to primary email communication. Organizer is not liable for any repercussions stemming from Participants' non-receipt of SMS notifications, including impacts on competition entry submissions or related actions. Participants are advised to rely on email as the primary communication channel.

 

CONCLUSION

16.1.If any term (or part of a term) of the Terms is invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the rest of the terms will remain in effect.

16.2.These Terms and Conditions shall enter into effect when the Participant has registered on the Organizer Portal and expressed acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.

16.3.The Organizer has the right to unilaterally revise, amend or change the Terms without any special notice to the Participant. In case of revision, amendments, changes and additions to the rules, the Participant does not have the right to refer to the old version of the Terms.

16.4.When making changes in the current wording of the Terms, the date of the last amendment is indicated.

16.5.The new wording of the Terms shall enter into force from the moment of its posting on the Portal.

16.6.The Participant may address any questions to: [email protected]

 

Date of wording: May 16, 2025

Date of publication: May 16, 2025