Legal Notices and Terms of Use

Website: https://concours.bam.archi — Version dated July 24, 2026

1. Legal Notice

In accordance with the provisions of Articles 6-III and 19 of Law No. 2004-575 of June 21, 2004, on Confidence in the Digital Economy (LCEN), users of the concours.bam.archi website are hereby informed of these legal notices.

1.1 Website Publisher

The website concours.bam.archi (hereinafter the “Site”) is published by:

  • Company Name: BAM — Because Architecture Matters
  • Legal Form: Simplified Joint-Stock Company (SAS)
  • Share capital: 56,234 euros
  • Headquarters: 50 Avenue des Caillols, 13012 Marseille, France
  • SIREN Number / RCS Registration Number: 810952614 RCS Marseille
  • Intra-Community VAT Number: FR78810952614
  • Contact email address: concours@bam.archi

1.2 Publisher

The publisher is Mr. Mathias Boutier, in his capacity as President of BAM — Because Architecture Matters.

1.3 Web Hosting Provider

The Website is hosted by:

  • DigitalOcean, LLC
  • Address: 105 Edgeview Drive, Suite 425, Broomfield, CO 80021, United States
  • Phone: +1 347-903-7918

1.4 Intellectual Property

All elements comprising the Site (structure, text, logo, the “BAM — Because Architecture Matters” brand, graphic guidelines, visuals, and interface elements) are protected by intellectual property law and remain the exclusive property of the publisher or its partners. Any reproduction, display, modification, publication, or adaptation, in whole or in part, of these elements, regardless of the means or method used, is prohibited without the publisher’s prior written authorization, subject to legal exceptions.

1.5 Accessibility and Reporting

The publisher strives to keep the Site accessible at all times, though it is under no obligation to do so. Any issues, illegal content, or malfunctions may be reported to concours@bam.archi. Such reports enable the publisher to take action in accordance with the provisions of the LCEN.

2. Privacy Policy and Personal Data Protection

This policy describes how BAM — Because Architecture Matters (hereinafter “BAM,” “we”) processes personal data collected through the concours.bam.archi website, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of April 27, 2016 (GDPR) and Law No. 78-17 of January 6, 1978, as amended (“Data Protection Act”).

2.1 Data Controller

The data controller is BAM — Because Architecture Matters, SAS, with its headquarters located at 50 avenue des Caillols, 13012 Marseille. If you have any questions regarding your data, please contact us at: concours@bam.archi.

2.2 Scope

This policy applies exclusively to the concours.bam.archi showcase website. It does not cover the application accessible at app.bam.archi, where architects create and submit their applications and portfolios: this tool is subject to its own terms and conditions and privacy policy.

2.3 Data Collected and Categories of Data Subjects

Depending on your profile, we collect the following data, primarily through online forms:

a) Project Owners / Project Sponsors

  • Identification and contact information: last name, first name, organization, email address, and phone number, if applicable;
  • Project data provided via the questionnaire: type of project (new construction, renovation, etc.), estimated budget, project description, and any other information voluntarily provided in the form.

b) Architects / competition applicants

  • Email address provided to download the competition guidelines;
  • Content of email correspondence with our teams and associated contact information.

c) All visitors

  • Browsing and connection data (IP address, technical logs) and data from cookies and trackers (see Section 2.9).

Required fields are marked on the forms. If you do not provide the required information, your request may not be processed. We ask that you refrain from providing sensitive personal data, as defined in Article 9 of the GDPR, that is not necessary for our services.

2.4 Purposes and Legal Bases for Data Processing

Your data is processed for the following purposes and on the following legal bases:

  • Process and respond to projects submitted by project owners; organize and manage architectural competitions: carrying out pre-contractual and contractual measures (Art. 6.1.b GDPR).
  • Distributing the competition specifications and managing communications with the architects: BAM’s legitimate interest in responding to requests (Art. 6.1.f), or the performance of precontractual measures.
  • Managing the relationship, responding to contact requests, and following up on sales leads: legitimate interest (Art. 6.1.f).
  • Sending information or communications (if applicable): consent (Art. 6.1.a), which may be withdrawn at any time.
  • Measuring website traffic and improving the Site using cookies: consent (Art. 6.1.a), except for strictly necessary trackers.
  • Ensuring the security of the Site and complying with our legal obligations: legitimate interest and legal obligation (Art. 6.1.f and 6.1.c).

2.5 Recipients of the Data

The data is intended for authorized teams at BAM. It may be shared with our subcontractors and technical service providers acting on our instructions (web hosting providers, messaging and email tools, audience analytics solutions), as well as with administrative or judicial authorities when required by law. In connection with the organization of a competition, certain information related to the project may be shared, in an appropriate format, with participating architects; personal contact information is not disclosed unless necessary. We do not sell or rent your data to third parties.

2.6 Subcontracting

We engage subcontractors who provide sufficient assurances regarding the implementation of appropriate technical and organizational measures, governed by a contract in accordance with Article 28 of the GDPR.

2.7 Data Transfers Outside the European Union

Some of our service providers (particularly those offering hosting or online tools) may be based outside the European Union or process data outside the European Union, specifically in the United States. In such cases, data transfers are governed by appropriate safeguards within the meaning of Articles 44 et seq. of the GDPR: an adequacy decision (including the EU–U.S. Data Privacy Framework, when the service provider is certified under it) and/or the European Commission’s standard contractual clauses. A copy of these safeguards may be requested at concours@bam.archi.

2.8 Retention Periods

  • Data on client project leaders: for the duration of the relationship, and thereafter for the applicable statutory limitation period;
  • Prospect data and contact requests (including architects who have downloaded a set of specifications): 3 years from the last contact;
  • Cookies and trackers: maximum lifespan of 13 months; consent retained for 6 months;
  • Log files: in accordance with applicable legal retention periods.

2.9 Cookies and Trackers

The Site uses cookies that are strictly necessary for its operation, as well as audience measurement cookies designed to compile traffic statistics and improve the Site. Non-essential cookies are only placed after we have obtained your consent via the banner displayed during your first visit. You may accept, refuse, or withdraw your consent at any time, set your preferences, and configure your browser to manage cookies.

Tool used: Google Analytics.

2.10 Your Rights

In accordance with the GDPR and the French Data Protection Act, you have the following rights regarding your data: the right of access, rectification, erasure, restriction of processing, objection, and data portability, as well as the right to provide instructions regarding the handling of your data after your death. When processing is based on consent, you may withdraw your consent at any time, without this affecting the lawfulness of the processing carried out prior to such withdrawal.

You may exercise these rights by writing to concours@bam.archi. We may ask you to provide proof of identity if we have reasonable doubt about your identity. We will respond within one month at the latest. Finally, you have the right to file a complaint with the French Data Protection Authority (CNIL), 3 place de Fontenoy, TSA 80715, 75334 Paris Cedex 07 — www.cnil.fr.

2.11 Safety

BAM implements appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect data against destruction, loss, alteration, unauthorized disclosure, or unauthorized access. Access to the data is limited to authorized individuals.

3. Terms of Use (TOU)

3.1 Purpose

The purpose of these Terms of Use (“TOU”) is to define the terms and conditions for accessing and using the concours.bam.archi showcase website (the “Site”), published by BAM — Because Architecture Matters. They apply to all users of the Site (the “User”). By accessing and using the Site, the User acknowledges having read these Terms of Use and accepts them without reservation.

3.2 Publisher

The Site is published by BAM — Because Architecture Matters, SAS, whose contact information is provided in Article 1 (Legal Notice) of this document.

3.3 Definitions

  • “Website”: the showcase website accessible at concours.bam.archi;
  • “User”: any person accessing the Site, whether a project owner or an architect;
  • “Competitions”: architectural consultations and competitions organized or presented by BAM;
  • “User Content”: information submitted by the User via forms (including project information) or by email.

3.4 Access to the Site

The Site is accessible free of charge to any User with Internet access. The User is responsible for any access and connection costs. The Site is generally accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, subject to maintenance, updates, force majeure, or events beyond BAM’s control. BAM shall not be held liable for any unavailability of the Site.

3.5 Description of Services

The Site is a promotional website that allows users, among other things, to:

  • project owners/developers to submit an application by filling out a questionnaire about their project (type of project, budget, description) so that BAM can contact them;
  • architects to view information about design competitions, provide their email address to receive or download the competition guidelines, and communicate with BAM via email;
  • to any User, to learn about BAM’s activities (project management support and organization of architectural competitions).

The Site serves as an entry point: creating applications, submitting portfolios, and tracking competitions are done through a separate application accessible at app.bam.archi, which is governed by its own terms and conditions.

3.6 User Obligations and Commitments

The User agrees to use the Site in accordance with these Terms of Use, applicable laws and regulations, and not to infringe upon the rights of third parties or violate public policy. In particular, the User agrees to:

  • provide accurate, up-to-date, and complete information when filling out a form;
  • Do not transmit content that is illegal, defamatory, or infringes on the intellectual property rights or personal data of third parties;
  • not to disrupt the operation of the Site, attempt to gain unauthorized access to it, or introduce any malicious software into it;
  • to use the data and documents obtained (including the specifications) only in connection with its participation in the competitions and in compliance with any confidentiality requirements.

The User is solely responsible for the information he or she provides and warrants that he or she is authorized to disclose it.

3.7 User Content

The User retains ownership of the information they submit. The User grants BAM the right to use this information solely for the purposes of processing their request and organizing contests. The User indemnifies BAM against any third-party claims relating to the content they submit. The processing of personal data contained in User Content is governed by Section 2 (Privacy Policy).

3.8 Intellectual Property

The elements of the Site are protected by intellectual property rights, in accordance with Section 1.4. No provision of these Terms of Use shall be construed as a transfer of rights to the User. The User is liable for any unauthorized use.

3.9 Personal Information and Cookies

The processing of Users’ personal data and the use of cookies are described in Article 2 (Privacy Policy and Personal Data Protection), which forms an integral part of these Terms of Use.

3.10 Hyperlinks

The Site may contain links to other sites or services, including the app.bam.archi application and, where applicable, third-party sites. BAM has no control over third-party sites and assumes no responsibility for their content, practices, or privacy policies. The creation of a link to the Site is subject to BAM’s prior consent.

3.11 Liability and Warranties

BAM takes reasonable measures to ensure that the information on the Site is accurate and up-to-date, but does not guarantee that it is free of errors, omissions, or inaccuracies. The information published on the Site is provided for informational purposes only and is not contractually binding. BAM shall not be held liable for any indirect damages resulting from the use of the Site, nor for any damages related to the Site’s unavailability, the presence of viruses, or the User’s use of the information obtained. It is the User’s responsibility to take appropriate measures to protect their own data and equipment.

3.12 Changes to the Terms of Use

BAM reserves the right to modify these Terms of Use at any time, in particular to adapt them to legal, regulatory, or technical changes. The applicable Terms of Use are those in effect on the date the Site is used. The date of the last update appears at the top of this document.

3.13 Governing Law and Disputes

These Terms of Use are governed by French law. In the event of a dispute, and in the absence of an amicable resolution, the French courts shall have jurisdiction in accordance with general law. In accordance with Articles L.611-1 et seq. of the French Consumer Code, any consumer may, free of charge, seek the assistance of a consumer mediator to resolve a dispute amicably.

3.14 Contact

For any questions regarding the Site or these Terms of Use, the User may contact BAM at: concours@bam.archi.