BAM, Archidvisor, Archibien: the new dating sites for architects
They are witnesses to the digitization of the profession and promise visibility and new projects, platforms for connecting architects and project managers abound. What are they ? What to expect? Ooti takes stock!
Each time the promise is similar: to offer a turnkey solution to a project leader. With this, the stakes are multiple: by making future clients aware of the work of architects, we participate in the production of a substrate conducive to architectural creation » can we read on bam.archi.
Because it is here that lies the number one issue of these platforms: broadening the horizon of architects to project leaders who often think, wrongly, that their support is reserved for an elite.
In doing so, the playing field for these new actors takes shape around a command that too often escapes the designers: “ the profiles are different from the traditional control. There is a desire for architecture, without always understanding what that implies explains Antoine Prax, architect of the Parisian agency Gramme.
They are called Archidvisor, BAM or Archibien, to name a few, and we spoke with them.
Originally, it was the network that led the architect Simon Jézéquel to structure what word of mouth is no longer enough to satisfy: between his architect friends looking for projects, and his acquaintances who are concerned about building projects. to be accompanied in their construction projects, there is a connection to be made.
This is how “La Palette” was born, in Brittany. A few years later, the palette became Archibien, Simon joined forces with Olivier and together they set up the startup in the Paris region. " We have built up a pool of more than 500 agencies, whose particularities and characteristics we know, which we match with our clients » explains Olivier Ménard, also an architect by training.
The difference is significant: to referencing platforms, with few filters and without real support, archibien opposes a connection based on the knowledge of the project owner and potential project managers.
We qualify the order upstream, its feasibility and the consistency of its budget. This is what we offer architects: find the project that suits them.
Each time, the process is the same: once a project has been validated, the Archibien team organizes a mini competition between 3 agencies, after which a winner is chosen. A risk and potentially wasted time? " We invoice the competition to the client and pay all participants! »
For reference, go to the following page: https://app.archibien.com/inscription/archi/
" The competition between construction professionals is increasingly fierce, and this means that it is increasingly difficult to stand out explains Adrien Martin, the founder of Archidvisor.
The observation is clear: the changes in the sector and its digitization are modifying the relationship between designers and project leaders. The young graduate architect then observed that agencies were unsuited to the new challenges of highlighting knowledge, and had an idea: to offer free visibility to encourage activity.
" Our bias is to offer ultra-qualified leads”. Understand: an order in phase with the specificities of the agency. " If an architect is only looking for extension projects, over 150,000 euros, within a radius of 10 kilometers around him, we are able to offer him only that. ".
A hyper segmentation to which is added a range of tools such as an online payment module, simplified management of calls for tenders, or the automation of certain tasks made available free of charge.
" This package seems to convince architects: we have more than 2200 agencies registered on our platform!
" This mode of operation allows us to affirm that an agency will have more visibility thanks to a referencing on Archidvisor than on its own site. »
Asked about the cost for the architects, the contractor does not hide the formula: " it is a win-win exchange. Registration and listing are totally free. It is the contracting with a contracting authority that marks the start of a remuneration generally situated between 7 and 9 % of the total amount. » Fees modeled on an observation: “ this is the share allocated to communication costs of all kinds. »
A position shared by Mathias Boutier, founder of BAM: “ the secret lies in the qualification of the project ". A promise of visibility and business contribution that the entrepreneur claims with supporting figures: " every year we manage around 3000 projects, from apartment renovations to international competitions ".
A vast playground that allows the Marketplace to display big names: " we have certain substantial budgets such as the construction of a hotel in Martinique for a budget of 50 million euros, the wine cellar of Maison Laffitte Rothschild for around twenty million euros…” Mathias explains. Projects on which some 6,000 agencies referenced on the platform, mainly French, but also European and American, compete. " We are capitalizing on our flagship projects to shine beyond France. »
More than networking, BAM also offers long-term support reflected in the development of applications.
" For example, we launched Aglo, which is an app intended for all archis and which facilitates the DCE phase by accompanying the drafting of CCTPs. »
A service offer that should soon be extended with the deployment of " Aglo Carbon intended to support the transition to RE2020.
" This module will calculate the LCA footprint and allow architects to facilitate the RE2020 certification process”. A novelty that should easily find its audience as the new version of the ecological regulations expected for January 2022 is looming...