Brussels, 24/09/2009 (Agence Europe) - As it gave undertakings to do in its 2007 communication on its accommodation policy (see EUROPE 9495), the European Commission announced on Wednesday 23 September that it had adopted a guide to its architecture policy. It will provide guidance in drawing up the terms of any architecture competition in which the Commission is involved. The guide states that architecture competitions (with prior definition to the building plan) should be used to ensure high quality construction and compliance with more rigorous parameters in terms of energy efficiency and the environment. It highlights the importance of: - providing access to buildings for people with reduced mobility; - ensuring that Commission buildings fit harmoniously and coherently into the surrounding urban context; - defining a common theme (an ideas competition on this theme will be launched in architecture, art and design institutes throughout Europe before the end of the year) with the aim of finding a form of symbolism common to all buildings occupied by the Commission. The guide will now be widely circulated among market operators and will form part of the information guide on Commission buildings procedures. (http://www.ec.europa.eu/civil_service/audience/real_estate/index_en.htm ) (L.C./transl.rt)