(Another blogger) found the blog of Merel Vos, a dutch girl working at SANAA (we have removed the link to the blog that pointed this out, per request from that blogger). To read about appalling working conditions is nothing new but still does shock. Maybe the blog wont last long.
11 Comments
translate it for yourself....
http://www.google.com/translate?u=vosmerel.blogspot.com%2F&langpair=nl%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF8
While i don't think it is right for interns to not be monetarily paid anything, as there are some living expenses even when one lives in the office, if more young architects did this kind of working model, we might improve the skills of more young architects. Those willing to dedicate their time and to be personally invested in design gravitate to studios like these specifically because of the described work atmosphere.
There's an Oscar Wilde quote that goes something like "Ridicule is the tribute paid to the genius by the mediocrities"
i am surprised that anyone is surprised.
In response to jts329: Being an architect is more than being a good designer, a dedicated worker, someone who understands the technical issues of a given project. It is also, in possibly equal amounts to all above, about understanding and interacting with your team and the client in both a social and economic regard.
Granted, this type of role is not desired by everyone, but how is one to improve upon such skills when a practice of slave-labor has become noble?
It is hard for me to beleive, that in in the capitalist society in which we practice, it is acceptable to include the role of a compensation-free laborer in a firm of any size, and especially that doing so will improve the future of our profession.
in the capitalist society in which we practice, the use-value AND the market-value of 5 months of such an experience is far greater and more sustainable than being monetarily compensated at a comparably less intense or well known studio.
maybe if they got some sleep, their drawings would be better.
This news entry seems to be constantly changing. Are we really that afraid of posting links and translations? Send it to Norman Blogster, I'm sure he'll stick his neck out.
Damn. And the orignal blog is now invite only.
... down the memory hole ...
We really need more unpaid internships so we can FINALLY get rid of these working class kids. I mean, isn't this supposed to be a "gentleman's profession"? Who invited these working class/middle class losers anyway? I thought when I showed up at the GSD I could finally leave these tasteless unrefined "working" people behind but NO, even HARVARD has something called "financial aid". I mean, how pathetic is it that some of my classmates were wasting time WORKING as shop moniters and library drones when they should have been in studio devoting themselves to design? It just shows you how lazy the underclass really are...
it wasn't really earth-shattering news. i'm sure there are plenty of offices in new york with rickety furniture, 6 day work weeks, and minimal pay. Plus they might require you to bring your personal computer to work. maybe there's no one asleep under your desk, but there's probably someone asleep outside your front door.
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