The Value Chain of Construction - How Can Architects Occupy a Larger Role? - A report by ACE - IBM Task Force Group

Oct 24, 2026

The Value Chain of Construction presents a strategic framework for expanding architects’ influence across the construction sector. It outlines the professional environment, report aims, methodology, and explains the value-chain concept. The study identifies five key roles—sustainability expertise, social impact and urban advising, green finance, low-carbon materials and technologies, and circular economy specialism—alongside sector-specific responsibilities. The report supports a shift toward sustainable, inclusive, and aesthetically grounded built environments.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages32

Reading Time1 h 21 min

AccessFree to download

Foreword

Part One: Introduction

Sector Commitments

Report Aims & Objectives

Part Two: Context

The Professional Environment

of European Architecture Architects for a Sustainable Future

Part Three: The Value Chain of Construction

Report Methodology

Value Chain Explained

Value Chain Diagram

Part Four: Strategy of Improvement

Eighteen Roles Identified

Key Sectors Within the Architectural Field

Part Five: Defining the Five Key Roles

Role 01–Features & Proposals

Role 02–Features & Proposals

Role 03–Features & Proposals

Role 04–Features & Proposals

Role 05–Features & Proposals

The Value Chain of Construction: How Can Architects Occupy a Larger Role? Building art is a synthesis of life in materialised form. We should try to bring in under the same hat, not a splintered way of thinking, but all in harmony together Alvar Aalto A report by ACE International Business Models (IBM) Task Force Group Role 01: Sustainable Building Expert Role 02: Social Impact & Sustainable Urban Advisor Role 03: Green Finance Expert on Sustainability Role 04: Low Carbon Footprint & New Technologies Materials Consultant Role 05: Circular Economy Expert for Buildings Architects play many parts in the value chain of construction. Their responsibility and expertise extends beyond the boundaries of any one role or sector. This requires them to wear many hats. 􀀞 . eu Co-funded by the European Union THE VALUE CHAIN OF CONSTRUCTION How Can Architects Occupy a Larger Role? 4 The Value Chain of Construction A report by ACE – IBM Task Force Group Architects Council of Europe Internationalisation and New Business Models | Foreword by
Ruth Schagemann,
President of ACE | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Part One: Introduction | 1.1
1.2 | Sector Commitments
Report Aims & Objectives | | | Part Two: | 2.1 | The Professional Environment | | | Context | 2.2 | of European Architecture Architects for a Sustainable | Future | | Part Three: | 3.1 | Report Methodology | | | The Value Chain | 3.2 | Value Chain Explained | | | of Construction | 3.3 | Value Chain Diagram | 5 | | Part Four:
Strategy of
Imrprvement | 4.1
4.2 | Eighteen Roles Identified Key Sectors Within the Architecural Field | | | Part Five: Defining the Five Key Roles | 5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5 | Role 01–Features & Proposals
Role 02–Features & Proposals
Role 03–Features & Proposals
Role 04–Features & Proposals
Role 05–Features & Proposals | | References Colophon The Value Chain of Construction Foreword 6 “This is why we will set up a new EUROPEAN BAUHAUS – a co-creation space where architects, artists, students, engineers, designers work together to make that happen1.” — Ursula Von der Leyen, 2020 The Value Chain of Construction Ruth Schagemann, President of the Architects Council of Europe (ACE) The New European Bauhaus comes at a key moment for the architectural profession. On the hand, it does so when we have overcome the negative cliché that architects may have su ered after the construction bubble. On the other hand, at a time of ambition in the areas of urban, environmental and social policy, to add a cultural soul to the European Green Pact and bring it closer to the spaces we inhabit on a daily basis. The already more than widespread values of sustainability, inclusiveness and beauty are part of the pillars of architectural training. In addition, the combination of local and global dimensions, participation and transdisciplinarity are part of the complexity of the architectural process. The DNA of the profession is embodied in the New European Bauhaus. Moreover, the social vocation of the collective means that it must place itself atthe service of citizens. Like the historical Bauhaus, the ultimate goal of the NEB is to improve people's lives. To put culture, architecture, design and urban planning at the service of society. At a time when we are going to invest millions of euros in renovating buildings to make them more e􀀞cient, and build in a more sustainable way, the role of architects is indispensable to do it in an inclusive and aesthetic way: following our values, but also those of the NEB. If we share time and place with this initiative, we must seize the opportunity to put our profession and our sector in the place they deserve. The original Bauhaus movement came to democratize our homes, our objects, to make them more comfortable, easier to produce, more a ordable. A hundred years have passed and the ways of living have changed much

FAQs

What is the main purpose of the report?

To enhance and enlarge architects’ role within the construction value chain, showing how they can occupy a larger part in creating sustainable built environments.

How does the report define the construction value chain?

It provides a value-chain explanation and diagram, describing how responsibilities and expertise connect across the construction process.

What are the five key roles identified for architects?

Sustainable building expert; social impact and sustainable urban advisor; green finance expert on sustainability; low carbon footprint and new technologies materials consultant; circular economy expert for buildings.

Oct 24, 2026

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