The Architects’ Council of Europe (ACE) is a Brussels-based non-profit organisation that represents the interests of architects at the European level. Formed in 1990 in Treviso, Italy, ACE emerged from the merger of the Liaison Committee of the Architects of the United Europe and the Council of European Architects, consolidating efforts to represent and advance the architectural profession in Europe.
Today, ACE brings together 52 member organisations, encompassing regulatory and professional bodies across all EU member states, as well as observer members from several European countries and those with special status such as the UK, Switzerland, and Norway. Collectively, ACE represents more than half a million architects from 36 countries.
The organisation’s work is structured through thematic areas: access to the profession, professional practice, architectural quality, and research and development. Key activities include developing policy positions, advocacy in EU decision-making, facilitating cross-border professional mobility, and addressing sectoral issues like public procurement, digitalisation, and gender equality. ACE operates largely through specialised work groups and organises two General Assemblies yearly, bringing together national representatives to shape strategy and approve priorities.
Recent projects reflect its engagement with contemporary European challenges: ACE has contributed to initiatives on sustainable building, digital transformation such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), and research on professional trends. The organisation’s governance includes a General Assembly, an 11-member Executive Board, and a permanent Secretariat, collectively driving a mission anchored in professional standards, sustainability, and the public interest in built environments.