its got to the point for architects in the uk that spec work is actually illegal.

not go to jail illegal but its all bound up in the professional charter that protects the title of architect.

its still understood that you can offer advice to friends but given that architects can be sued even if that advice is given freely and turns out to be false most Professional Indemnity Insurers won't let us.

nonetheless its a good movement - i only work for myself for free

unpaid competitions happen less and less these days which has its own drawbacks of course.

most are actually a competitive interview these days which is as much about preparing your portfolio and your practice documentation as anything

then a lot are by invitation where you get an 'honourarium' to cover your costs

the truly open competitions are realistically the only way for startups and the like to get on the ladder. if you are always judged on what youve already done its difficult to pick up prestige work without such work - first stage often being free and second stage usually with one of those honorariums.

it could be considered marketing i suppose - after all noone pays you for that either do they - in the case of architectural competition its like saying we have talent, look at this, give us a chance of proving it to you further

my current employer has a policy far beyond no-spec, we dont work on things, as a general rule, unless they turn between 15-40% profit minimum*

greedy, perhaps? but it does reflect the position they have as a pair of bods who enetered a competition on spec 20 years ago, won it and made good

*depending on building sector

all creative industry is still thriving!

NC - love it!

I think in areas where a service is a provided it's harder for people to recognize the value versus a tangible product.