IAA | All articles of statute


I. Blanket Regulations

Art. 1. (1) The International Academy of Architecture – a non-profit-making company for performing activities for private benefit, hereinafter called the Academy is a corporation in accordance with the Non-Profit-Making Corporations Act (NPMCA).
(2) The Academy is an international, voluntary, creative, academic and research organization, which is associated and acts in accordance with the laws of Republic of Bulgaria and within the present Articles.
(3) The Academy is separate from its members and is liable for its obligations by its property. The members of the Academy are not liable for its obligations unless becoming so by virtue of a specifically signed contract.
Art. 2. The Academy represents its members and protects their creative and professional interests before corporations and natural persons.
Art. 3. The Academy may not formulate aims and make use of means, which could be defined as ethnical, political or religious activity.
Art. 4. The Academy performs with its own property, resources and means additional economic activity, the means derived from which are used solely for the achievement of the goals, set forth in these Articles.
Art. 5. (1) The Academy may be member of other non-organizations with similar objects.
(2) The Academy may, without being a member, participate through its members in the work of non-profit-making organizations with a similar creative activity.
(3) The Academy duly fulfils its obligations as advisory member with consultative status of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations Organization (UN), of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, of the United Nations Children Organization – UNICEF and collaborates with the United Nations Committee: HABITAT, UNEP, UNESCO etc.


II. Name

Art. 6. (1) The name of the Academy is: “INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF ARCHITECTURE – a non-profit-making company for performing activities for private benefit”.
(2) The Academy’s name is obligatorily written in Bulgarian for the purpose of all documents for use in Bulgaria.
(3) Working languages of the Academy of equal right are English, French, Russian and Spanish.


III. Seat and address of administration

Art. 7.(1) The seat of the Academy is Sofia city, Bulgaria.
(2) The other alternative seats of the International Academy of Architecture may be CHOSEN between European cities. The change of the IAA seat has to be decided by the Academic Council
Art. 8. The address of administration is Sofia city, Sredetz municipality, 40 “Maria Luiza” Blvd.
Art. 9. The name, seat, address of administration, the information about the incorporation and the BULSTAT number are stated in all documents and publications of the Academy.


IV. Emblem and seal

Art. 10. The emblem of the Academy is the abbreviation “IAA”, spelled in the Roman alphabet and enclosed in a circle.
Art. 11. The seal of the Academy is round, the name of the Academy is written along its periphery and the emblem of the Academy is set in the centre of the seal.


V. Term

Art. 12. The existence of the Academy is not limited by any term.
VI. GOALS OF THE ACADEMY AND MEANS FOR THEIR
ACHIEVEMENT
Art. 13. The Academy has as its goal:
1. To stimulate architecture creation, theory and architecture education.
2. To popularize the work of its members and to work towards the development of young talents in architecture.
3. To work on the global, regional and local problems of architecture, urban planning and environment and towards a steady development of civil society.
4. To aid the fulfillment of the programs or UNO and its committees regarding architecture, urban planning and environment and for a steady development of civil society.
5. To perform creative and educational activities and research.
6. To work towards the development of new ideas and conceptions in architecture.
Art. 14. The goals of the Academy are achieved by its own efforts and in cooperation with similar organizations.
Art. 15. For the achievement of the goals, which have been set forth the Academy makes use of the following means:
1. It works toward the popularization and public recognition of the professional accomplishments of its members by the means afforded by mass communication and by awards and other forms of public recognition.
2. It organizes conferences, discussions, exhibitions, competitions and projects in architecture, urban planning and environment.
3. It organizes schools, seminars and other programs and structures for professional qualification in the areas of its activities and issues the corresponding diplomas and certificates.
4. It produces analyses, assessments and other documents about architecture, urban planning and environment.
5. The Academy is a centre for postgraduate qualification with programs of various periods of duration.
6. It aids the recreation and the creative work of its members.


VII. Defining of activities performed 

Art. 16. The Academy performs activities to the benefit of its members.


VIII. Objects

Art. 17. The objects of the Academy are activities in the architecture creation, architecture theory and education areas.


IX. Membership

Art. 18. Membership in the Academy is a high honor and a recognition of a special contribution to architecture of natural persons and corporations. Membership is compulsory and is to be paid before the 30-th June of every calendar year.
Art. 19. (1) The Academy has academicians, professors and visiting professors. Members of the Academy are the academicians and professors. The most important international architectural personalities up to a maximum of 100 are elected Academicians of the Academy.

(2) Architects who have made valid contributions to the architectural profession are elected professors up to a maximum of 150.
Art. 20. (1) The Academy Assembly elects academicians of the Academy.
(2) The Senate (Academic Council) of the Academy elects professors of the Academy.
Art. 21. Members of the Academy have the right to:
1. Participate in the activities and all programs of the Academy.
2. Receive complete, accurate and timely information about the activities of the Academy.
3. Be elected members of the organs of the Academy.
Art. 22. Members of the Academy are obliged to work toward achieving the goals of the Academy and to protect its good reputation.
Art. 23. Candidates for members of the Academy are nominated by the Senate (Academic Council), about which the President of the Academy informs them. After receiving a notice of the written acceptance of these Articles and desire for membership in the Academy, their candidatures are approved by the corresponding organ.
Art 24. Universities and other organizations for architecture, urban planning and environment, which are admitted by the Academic Council, can also be members of the Academy.
Art. 25. (1) Membership in the Academy is terminated:
1. By a one-sided written declaration, addressed to the President of the Academy.
2. In the occasion of death of the natural persons or dissolution of the corporations.
(2) In the occasion of terminating the membership the Academy is not liable to return the property contributions made.


X. Structure

Art. 26. (1) The Academy is an independent corporation.
(2) Branch offices of the Academy outside the place where the Academy has its seat can be opened and closed by a decision of the President of the Academy. These are not independent corporations; they are administrated by a manager and perform the activities, determined by the President by the decision of their opening.
(3) The Academy has regional centres outside the boundaries of Republic of Bulgaria. They are independent corporations, in line with the legislation of the country where they have been incorporated and act in partnership with the Academy on the basis of the goals and principles of these Articles. President of the IAA regional centers can be only IAA Academician.


XI. Organs

Art. 27. Organs of the Academy are the General Assembly, the Academic Council and the President.
Art. 28. (1) The highest organ of the Academy is the Assembly, which performs the functions of a General Meeting of the Academy. All academicians, professors and corporations that are members of the Academy through their representatives constitute the Assembly.
(2) The President convenes the Assembly once every two years.
(3) The powers of the Assembly are to:
1. Modify and supplement the Articles of Associations and the programs of activities.
2. Elect and remove from office the members of the Academic Council.
3. Elect and remove from office the President of the Academy.
4. Elect new members for academicians.
5. Adopt resolutions on all other issues, which have been placed within its competence by the law or by these Articles of Association.
(4) The resolutions of the Academy are adopted by a simple majority of the members present. The resolutions about modifying and supplementing the Articles of Association or about transformation or dissolution of the Academy are adopted by a majority of 2/3 of the present.
(5) Invitation to a session of the Assembly is sent to all members at least six months before the session is held. At least one month before the set date the session is announced in the “State Gazette” and placed on the announcement board in the building where the Assembly has its administration.
(6) The Assembly is considered valid if at least half of its members are present. If the required numbers are not present, the Assembly is postponed for one hour under the same agenda and in the same place, after which it is held irregardless of the number of the members present.
Art. 29. (1) The President represents the Academy. The General Assembly authorizes the President to implement the functions of the Academic Council when it is necessary, as determined by NPMCA and these Articles. The President has the following powers:
1. Represents the Academy.
2. Ensures that the resolutions of the Assembly be executed.
3. Disposes of the property of the Academy. The General Assembly has to decide about it.
4. Convenes and chairs the Academic Council.
5. Opens and closes branch offices and regional centers.
6. Manages the operating activities of the Academy and adopts decisions on all issues, which by virtue of the law or in accordance with this Statute do not fall under the rights of another organ.
(2) The President is elected by the Assembly among the members of the Academic Council for a period of 2+2 years.
Art. 30. (1) The Academic Council consists of 7 members from worldwide. They are elected by the Assembly for a period of 2+2 years. Part of the council will be reelected every 2 years.
(2) The President (IAA Academician) of the International Academy of Architecture is a member of the Academic Council and manages its activities.
(3) The Academic Council elaborates and controls the execution of all programs of the Academy.
(4) The Academic Council nominates the candidates for members of the Academy and admits for membership the professors and corporations.
(5) The Academic Council meets at least once a year.
(6) The resolutions of the Academic Council are adopted by a simple majority by those of its members who are present and are obligatory for the members of the Assembly.
(7) On special occasions the resolutions of the Academy on separate issues can be adopted by correspondence.

(8) The Academic Council has the power to create technical/scientific committees and the Chairman of the Committee must be member of the Academic Council.
Art. 31. The minutes from the sessions of the Assembly and the Academic Council are authenticated by the person who chairs them and this person is fully responsible of the recording of the minutes thus authenticated.
Art. 32. The resolutions of the Assembly and the Academic Council authenticated by the person, who chairs their sessions, are sent to all participants in the corresponding meeting for coordination within a one-week period after the end of the session. In the occasion of receiving corrections within a period of one month after these have been sent, these are taken notice of in the resolutions, which are published in the Bulletin of the Academy as final.


XII. Finances of the Academy 

Art. 33. (1) The property of the Academy consists of ownership and other real rights over movable and immovable estate, claims and other rights, stipulated by the law.
(2) Sources of financing are:

1. The IAA members` contribution is the annual membership fee. The amount of the annual membership fee has to be decided by the General Assembly
2. Subvention from international, national and local organizations, companies, natural persons, etc.
3. Revenues from disposing of the property of the Academy.
4. Means, acquired by virtue of programs, financed by international, national and local organizations.
5. Additional economic activity.
(3) The Academy performs additional economic activity with the following object:
1. Performing designing, advisory and expert services in architecture, urban and country planning, designing and interior design.
2. Publishing and information activities.
3. Transactions in intellectual property of the Academy.
4. Lending of the Academy’s own property.
5. Organizing schools and courses for qualification and re-qualification in architecture and construction.
6. Other activities which are not been prohibited by the law.
(4) The Academy does not allot profits and incomes of the additional economic activities are only used for achieving the goals, set forth in Art. 13 of the present Articles.
(5) Regional centres of the Academy adepts and works by their own, independent budgets and is financially independent of the Academy.


XIII. Transformation, dissolution and winding-up 

Art. 34. (1) Transformation, dissolution and winding-up of the Academy are performed in accordance with NPMCA.
(2) In the occasion of dissolution of the Academy winding-up is performed by the President of the Academy.
(3) Distribution of what property is left after discharging obligations to creditors is performed by a resolution of the receiver and in accordance with the requirements of the law.


XIV. Transitional and concluding provisions 

1. The present Articles of Association have been drafted in accordance with §1, sec. 4 of NPMCA. The provisions of NPMCA and the rest of the relevant Bulgarian legislation are applied to ail issues which have not been made provision for by these Articles.
2. These Articles have been adopted at the VIIth extraordinary session of the Assembly of the International Academy of Architecture, which was held on November 15th, 2001 in Sofia and avoids the Articles, adopted at the Constituent Assembly from 1987.
3. All the elements in the IAA Statute have been accepted by the X-th IAA General Assembly, held at 17 May 2009.

4. These articles have been amended on the XIII Session of the International Academy of Architecture – the Amended articles have been accepted by the IAA General Assembly, held in Sofia on the 13-th of May 2018.