Over the past few years, the field has received a growing amount of attention that has highlighted long standing labor issues within the architecture industry, ranging from unsustainable pay models to unwelcoming work environments. Looking for an alternative, the Architecture Lobby created the Just Design Initiative, which recognizes fair labor practices in architecture. Beginning with nominations submitted by employees, and followed by an evaluation process, the team looked at practices that can serve as models of a new status quo within the profession. Archinect has teamed up with the Just Design crew to profile firms across the country that meet the initiative's standards. Whether it is a family-friendly work schedule or a health coverage plan that goes above and beyond, the series spotlights practices that honor the basic rights of their employees and can serve as exemplary models of what should become standard for the field.
As Kimberly Neuhaus was preparing to start a family, she was faced with a challenge common for many women: how do I balance my career with raising kids? Architecture’s notoriously grueling work culture harms everyone; However, the burdens of this undue pressure are often felt by female architects more acutely and can present unique challenges for those with kids.
In a 2016 study on diversity in the profession, the American Institute of Architects found that women strongly believe that there is not gender equity in the industry. Concerns about work-life balance, excessively long hours, and lack of flexibility were the most commonly cited reasons for the underrepresentation of women by those asked.
“I think a lot of women do leave architecture for that reason or fail to get licensure or their careers get short circuited because of the macho culture of studio and how late were you here, and how many hours did you sleep last night,” says Neuhaus. Faced with the decision to make peace with an office that was not family friendly, Neuhaus chose instead to break out on her own, working as a sole practitioner so that she could have the type of flexibility that would better accommodate her familial aspirations.
Started in 1998, her practice has now grown into an office of four. Work-life balance remains a central part of the office culture that her firm, Neuhaus Design Architecture, promotes. A large part of that is achieved through maintaining a 40 hour workweek and avoiding serious crunch times. And, paying employees on an hourly basis so that workers can easily expand or contact their workweeks when necessary. As an example, one of their employees currently keeps a standard 32 hour workweek so they can spend more time with kids at home.
The other part, says Neuhaus, comes from defending the talent that architects and an architecture firm can bring to a project. A large component of the office culture problem, as Neuhaus sees it, stems from the fact that as an industry, architects have a tendency to underrate the worth of their expertise. "We don’t value the work we do and don’t ask other people to value the work we do, and the time it takes to do it!” say Neuhaus. Those were important things to keep in mind when setting up her firm. “We value our time and we want our clients to value our time too, whether [that be] time on a project or time that we need for the rest of our lives’” she says.
On good labor practices, Neuhaus believes that as an employer it can give her firm an edge, especially when people are looking for a certain degree of flexibility and support. In that same 2016 survey mentioned earlier, the AIA found notably, that a majority of architects regardless of gender or race see their ability to achieve work-life balance as more difficult for them compared with other professionals.
This is a familiar observation for Neuhaus, who comments on how often she is shocked when hearing colleagues discuss the policies and procedures in other offices. “I don’t know why our profession shouldn’t offer the same benefits and securities as other professions,” she affirms.
7 Comments
The 'macho' culture starts in studio and carries over into work. Other professions have similar issues, but glad to see it being called out in architecture. It has nothing to do with quality.
Very excited for this series. It's an extraordinarily relevant topic in the profession right now. It's refreshing to see that someone like Kimberly has embraced a progressive outlook on her practice.
Topical. Eager to see more firms in the series.
At a lecture, one of the guys from Neutelings Riedijk (i never DON'T have to look up their spelling) said they maintain a 4 day work week- pretty incredible. Would love to know more about this.
4 day workweek is standard for 50% of people in dutch architecture offices. In your 20's you're more than welcome to work 40+ hrs all you want, when you're older or have kids (ie value your personal time more) you switch to 36 or 32hr weeks...everyone is flexible. Also have 30 days off each year and can ask for extra unpaid holiday time. Never going back to USA.
huh, guess i'm emigrating to the Netherlands
Remote architectural Practice. Come to work once or twice a week to collaborate and then go home and get your things done on your own time.
I once interviewed in a OC Architectural office to be their Design Director. The owner was a typical old school guy that churned out bland mix use Apartment complexes. He thought we’re thought provoking... come on buddy.
He asked me to bring life into his studio. He said we have talented people, I just don’t know why they don’t interact with each other.
In my head I was like well for one they work on crap building.
In the middle of my interview I asked to see the studio, he hesitated I stop him from talking and I asked again. He looked at me like he just saw a Ghost. He took me back into the studio space. Designers on one side/ drafters on another side, all had head phones on. And his answer was come on guys let’s pump up the music. One guy stood up walked to the music doc scared of his coworkers reaction and turned the volume up one notch.
There’s no reason to have a office that everyone sits next to one another in their own space, spaced out listening to music that takes them away from what they are doing.
Give them freedom of space and life and they become thinkers again. Cage them umogst the Mundane and their enjoyment dies.
The first rule To be an artist/ designer and a thinker you have to be free. The second one is the actual focus of putting your work out in the world.
Block this user
Are you sure you want to block this user and hide all related comments throughout the site?
Archinect
This is your first comment on Archinect. Your comment will be visible once approved.