The myth of the calling obscures the role of architectural support staff and encourages architects to surrender their workers’ rights. It stands in the way of solidarity between all architectural workers. — Failed Architecture
Writing in Failed Architecture, Marisa Cortright unpacks how the sense of unwavering duty implied by the architecture profession’s persistent reliance on hero myths and the idea of architecture as a calling undermines both the individual and collective interests of architectural workers, including those of non-architects like the administrative, finance, legal, public relations and business development professionals often employed by architecture firms.
2 Comments
With apologies up front for my recent contrarian streak....
Is there some random image-selection algorithm at work with these 'news' items? How does that image relate to the topic? (Aside from, "Yup, we all sure do use computers a lot!") It seems a bit under-considered. How about an interior shot of one of the starchitects' sweatshops instead?
I don't see what hero myths have to do with architecture culture -- it's more of an American capitalist ethos. Was just watching a Chinese sci-fi movie Wandering Earth the other night, a very different culture where there were no stars, a collectivist problem solving drama where nobody stands out. And yet I'm sure that society has more worker exploitation than anywhere.
Think it has more to do with a genuine love of design and belief that it can make a positive difference for others that can lead to [exploitation--not even the right word here]. Structural forces -- a professional bureaucracy, toxic media and a culture that devalues humanist design values -- create a problem for anyone trying to do good. I'm sure its the same for doctors fighting against big Pharma or lawyers representing clients against big corporations. Just depends on what side you are playing for. It's quite easy if your career ambitions are signing off on big dumb developments.
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