In a recent discussion on the 'Klasika+' show by Latvijas Radio 3, industry professionals highlighted significant issues surrounding design and architecture competitions in Latvia. One prominent case was the competition organized by the Nature Conservation Agency for the Gauja National Park Nature Center, which raised eyebrows due to its unacceptable conditions. This incident is symptomatic of a broader crisis in the competition framework, where the lack of knowledge on the part of clients often leads to problematic competition scenarios.

Dagnija Andersone, a partner and manager at the design office H2E, along with Liena Šiliņa, founder of the architectural firm Noonsoon, and Artis Lapiņš, head of the Procurement Monitoring Bureau, discussed the growing frustration within the industry. They stressed that many issues related to competition practices have persisted for years, suggesting that these problems are not insurmountable. The consensus among them was that appropriate types of competitions need to be chosen to ensure fair practices and meaningful participation by professionals in the field.

The experts called for a reassessment of competition practices, indicating that the design and architecture sectors could benefit tremendously from more informed clients and better-structured competitions. They argued that competitions should not resemble the Olympic Games devoid of rewards, urging for reforms that would enhance the overall integrity and outcomes of such events, ultimately leading to a more robust and innovative architectural landscape in Latvia.