Podcasts, social media and news stories don’t paint a very good picture of architecture as a profession, with architects openly sharing their negative experiences of the workplace.

From arguments about the protection of the title of ‘architect’ and the poor treatment of younger architects, to ‘me too’ moments making international headline news and the exploitation of staff requiring visas, these narratives paint a picture of architectural practices run as personal fiefdoms, with practice principals’ egos often matching their practice size. Employees toe the line afraid of challenging the status quo.

Excessive hours with poor pay and minimal benefits while working in toxic environments takes a negative toll on mental health and personal lives. This is compounded by a culture of false promises and false hope that conditions will improve.

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