Open Call
In short
The procedure for appointing designers for public assignments in the fields of architecture, urban planning, landscape design, public space and infrastructure.
Open Call 52
Open Call 52 will be published on Friday 2 October 2026. Design teams may submit their applications until Friday 16 November 2026.
Open Call 53 will be published on 12 March 2027.
Building, a societal ambition
A new school, square or sports hall, a town hall, a care institution, social housing, a park: these are public facilities which, if well designed, can contribute to a valuable living environment for everyone. Authorities responsible for these spatial assignments therefore face a unique and multifaceted task. Not only must they ensure that a number of functional needs are met in a future-oriented way for the wider community; they also contribute to the heritage of the community. To bring this task to a successful conclusion, public clients can count on the Team Flemish Government Architect.
Get inspired
What the Open Call stands for
The Open Call deliberately stands out from other selection procedures for designers. As it pursues specific objectives and ambitions, the procedure seeks to enable the client to make the right choice. Several principles are crucial in this respect:
Responsible commissioning
public projects have an impact on our shared living environment and should be exemplary, as regards both the process and the end result.
Society-based ambitions as a guiding principle
the client should formulate ambitions for the project on a social, cultural and societal level.
Responsible use of space
a client should pursue the right strategies to minimize the impact of the project on our planet, today and in the future.
Engaging with a diversity of design attitudes
by keeping the application process accessible for designers and letting design ability prevail in the selection, we maximize opportunities for creativity, experimentation and innovation.
The importance of dialogue between candidates and the client
a good dialogue between client and designer is a prerequisite for realizing high-quality projects.
Choosing a designer and a design vision
a detailed design is not required at the tender stage, only a schematic illustration of an initial concept.
Integrated approach and assessment
the overall assessment of quality encompasses cultural, social and sustainability aspects.
The Open Call as a guarantee of quality
Since 2000, the Open Call has provided the Team with a unique method to select designers for public projects. This earned the Open Call an international reputation, in part due to the hundreds of acclaimed and prize-winning achievements it has led to over the years.
Designers at home and abroad closely follow the Open Calls of the Team Flemish Government Architect, with many excellent candidates as a consequence.
