Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The archdata web portal is a collection of digital tools supporting effective, long-term collaboration between clients and architects in architectural practice and in the public procurement of architect services. It supports the transformation of the architectural profession towards standard European working models. Architects and their clients can find methodological guides, contract templates, service catalogues and tools for calculating an architect’s contract value.

The methodology is based on a standard model in which the architect provides value to the client across the architect service stages. The former system—in which design engineers supplied successive stages of design documentation followed by so-called author’s supervision—can no longer ensure successful projects under present conditions and has been failing for a long time. The new methodology defines the scope and outputs of each stage and the architect’s remuneration for the services provided, reflecting the value delivered to the client. The terms of this collaboration are set out in the architect services contract.

The Standards module contains methodological procedures for collaboration between clients and architects. It defines the scope of architects’ basic, other and additional services, organises them into service stages, and provides contract templates and service catalogues. It helps architects and clients establish clear and stable terms for their collaboration.

The Calculator module contains tools for calculating the estimated (approximate) architect’s contract value and the architect’s contract value. It helps architects and clients establish and verify the value of the service provided for standard scopes of architect services on buildings of typical quality, appropriate to the particular complexity and scope of the brief.

The Assistant is an AI chatbot that answers questions using only the portal’s core-document database and selected key legislation concerning architecture. It can help you find information in the portal’s methodological materials. The Assistant currently operates in Slovak. AI-generated answers may contain inaccuracies, so always verify important information using several sources.

No. The Calculator is in its testing phase, and all information and calculated values are provided solely as guidance for checking the contract value and an individual calculation for buildings of typical quality and corresponding brief complexity. Fees and terms of collaboration are always agreed individually between the architect and client, but should reflect the value and quality of the services provided.

You can send questions and suggestions to info@archdata.sk or use the form on the Contact page. For questions about the Standards methodology, you can also contact the Slovak Chamber of Architects at reforma@komarch.sk.

Kornel Kobák is the author and editor of the archdata portal. The Standards module was developed under the auspices and with the support of the Slovak Chamber of Architects, in cooperation with several practising professionals.