You Don't Look Like You Could Represent the Firm

K* opens up about his experiences entering the architecture profession after serving in the military. 

K shares with hosts Jake and Erin about his background growing up in a low-income family and joining the Marines to pay for college. After deploying overseas, K left the military to pursue architecture. 

However, the transition from the military hierarchy to architecture school was challenging, as was finding a job after graduation. K shares stories of working for firms that undervalued his experience and exploited entry-level employees. 

Ultimately, K hopes sharing his perspective will validate others who have struggled and empower them to improve their situations.

*Not his real name

5 Key Takeaways:

1. The transition from the military to architecture school can be difficult due to the difference in culture and hierarchies. 
2. Early career architects are often undervalued and exploited by firms that take advantage of entry-level employees.
3. Speaking up about unreasonable demands as a student or employee requires confidence and tact. 
4. Changing firms may provide some relief but doesn't always address core issues around control and compensation.
5. Surrounding yourself with supportive mentors and continually developing confidence and communication skills is important for career growth.

Episode Quote: 

"I really hope that everybody listening at first feels validated. Like I have been in the other podcasts I've listened to, and even getting this platform that these things are weird, odd at best, and downright discriminatory or abusive."

Notable Quotes:

"I went through the school of hard knocks as a kid. I went to the school of hard knocks as a Marine. I went to the school of hard knocks as a student, and then I gave myself a couple years in architecture to be able to stand and speak from a point of knowledge."

"It doesn't have to be this way. If you're a young person, be very clear with your boundaries. Don't sell yourself short and give into the ethos of putting in the long hours."

Conclusion:

• K's story highlights the need for the architecture profession to adapt to diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• The discussion opens up avenues for improving the support system for both employees and sub-contractors in architecture.

Relevant Links:

• AIA Code of Ethics: https://www.aia.org/about-aia/professional-standards
• Out of Architecture website: https://www.outofarchitecture.com
• Information on becoming an Out of Architecture Patreon supporter: https://www.patreon.com/outofarchitecture

If you have resources to share that you think may be helpful to what was discussed in this episode, please email us at: redlines@outofarchitecture.com 

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Chris* faced a series of traumatic and unfair experiences over the course of his architecture career. 

Despite his lifelong passion for architecture, Chris dealt with difficult bosses, excessive overwork, sexual harassment, lack of appreciation, and ultimately wrongful dismissal. 

His story highlights the need for positive change in architecture's problematic power dynamics, management issues, and lack of work-life balance. 

Three major incidents that happened to Chris were:

1. Early in his first job, Chris was berated and had his housing stipend removed for mentioning his rent in casual conversation (6:00)
2. A mentor made sexual advances; Chris went along but felt uncomfortable and taken advantage of by the power dynamic (22:00)
3. After taking medical leave for depression, Chris was not welcomed back to his firm as legally required and instead encouraged to resign (33:00)

*Not his real name

5 Key Takeaways:

1. Inappropriate sexual dynamics are common but rarely discussed in architecture firms.
2. Taking medical leave for mental health is often met with retaliation, not support.
3. Overwork culture leads to poor work-life balance and burnout.
4. Speaking up about unfair treatment is important despite being difficult.
5. Young architects should set boundaries and advocate for themselves early on.

Notable Quotes:

"I felt so disrespected and used in this moment. I really, I just couldn't believe that I had been so misled and it really just. I get emotional because of it, I just felt really, really disrespected."  

"It doesn't have to be this way. If you're a young person, be very clear with your boundaries. Don't sell yourself short and give into the ethos of putting in the long hours."

Episode Quote: 

"Making decisions based on whether it's the bottom line in their best interests and not in yours. And it's just very unfortunate because. Industry couldn't exist without the workers. we're being completely exploited for our passion and interest in this profession. it's just really unfair."

Relevant Links:

• The US Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fmla
• Your Rights to Discuss Your Wages (US Specific) https://www.nlrb.gov/about-nlrb/rights-we-protect/your-rights/your-rights-to-discuss-wages
• Out of Architecture website: https://www.outofarchitecture.com
• Information on becoming an Out of Architecture Patreon supporter: https://www.patreon.com/outofarchitecture

If you have resources to share that you think may be helpful to what was discussed in this episode, please email us at: redlines@outofarchitecture.com 

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Welcome to this week's episode of Redlines, where we delve into the intriguing world of architecture and its untold stories. This week, we're taking a unique turn from our usual format. In this episode of Redlines, hosts Jake and Erin revisit stories from the Out of Architecture book that continue to look at the culture of exploitation within architecture.  

Legitimate complaints about underpayment and poor working conditions are often dismissed under the guise of “the gentlemen’s profession.” We discuss the ways normative structures of propping up “starchitects” through exploitative labor practices can lead to an internalized drive toward toxic perfectionism in some workers while driving others out of the field completely. 

Three Stories:

1. Jake recalls his internship experience at a famous Roman architecture firm, and details a culture of abuse, exploitation and harassment that was alluded to in the previous episode.

2.  Architecture is considered a “gentleman’s profession” historically, as it was traditionally a field dominated by men of noble birth who were financially supported by their family wealth. This allowed them to spend years studying and working on projects that cost more than they could ever return. This perception, however, made it difficult for those without such wealth or social status to gain recognition and succeed in the field. We dive into this with a snippet from our audiobook with a look at Michelangelo as a way to frame an understanding of the profession today.

3. Our third story is an anonymized story of Cady*, a student of Erin’s who attempts to stand up to professors who had been exploiting her labor on a competition project. This story highlights the struggle of architecture students for fair wages, recognition in the field, and the power dynamic between students, professors, and practicing architects.

*name has been changed.

Quotes:

"We never thought someone so pleasant would stand up for herself."

"Now, family wealth propped up unpaid internships, facilitated travel abroad, and offered the ability to focus on passion projects on which every detail was polished to perfection."  

“[...] when you dug deep into architectural history, including famous architects from the not so distant past and current big names in the field, the role of family wealth and personal connections glared back at you with contempt.  The gentleman's profession, an idea that seemed so antiquated, was very much alive and well.”

Relevant Links:

• Out of Architecture website: https://www.outofarchitecture.com
• The Out of Architecture Audiobook can be found on Audible
• Information on becoming an Out of Architecture Patreon supporter: https://www.patreon.com/outofarchitecture

Invitation for Contributions:

• If you have an experience in the architecture profession that you believe would make a great addition to Redlines, we want to hear from you!
• Share your stories and insights about the industry, especially if they relate to unconventional or overlooked aspects of architectural work.

If you have resources to share that you think may be helpful to what was discussed in this episode, please email us at: redlines@outofarchitecture.com 

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In this episode of Redlines, hosts Jake and Erin speak with Cecilia and Elif, two architecture students who took an unpaid summer internship abroad at a famous firm in Spain at the recommendation of their professor. 

However, instead of gaining valuable experience in an architecture office, they were treated as expendable labor. 

Cecilia and Elif recount the harrowing details of this exploitative internship and the fear they felt in speaking up due to the power dynamics at play with famous architects and professors. They explain why they and other students stayed despite the conditions and discuss how this experience impacted their career paths and beliefs around what is acceptable treatment in the architecture industry.

Ultimately, Cecilia and Elif hope that by speaking openly about these abusive practices, the next generation of architects can help break the perpetuating cycle of poor labor conditions in the name of becoming a “great architect.”

Three major incidents:

1. Cecilia and Elif arrive at the internship and are forced to work manual labor on a construction site instead of in an office, with no safety protections (6:00)

2. Famous architects visit the construction site, gather the students around for a demonstration, and have them running around doing tasks, yelling when they make mistakes (19:00) 

3. After Cecilia takes two days off, the architects gather everyone and lecture them that leaving for even one day is unacceptable and detail the punishments (38:00)

Four key takeaways 

• Architect students worldwide are often exploited as manual laborers during their internships, working long hours in dangerous working conditions with no safety equipment, training, contracts, or labor protections.
• Speaking up about famous architects and professors was scary due to fear of retaliation and harm to future career prospects.
• Some student interns feel compelled to stay to get required credits or due to visa dependency, despite the conditions.
• Sharing stories openly can help prevent ongoing exploitation so the next generation of architects doesn't have to suffer the same way.

Quotes:

"Rather than framing them (internships) as learning opportunities or rites of passage, we need to start looking at them the way they are. They’re just exploitative."

"My professor told me that good architecture takes three things, time, money, and freedom… but I realized at our internship we had no money, no time and no freedom due to the constant surveillance."  

Relevant Links:

• Out of Architecture website: https://www.outofarchitecture.com
• Information on becoming an Out of Architecture Patreon supporter: https://www.patreon.com/outofarchitecture

If you have resources to share that you think may be helpful to what was discussed in this episode, please email us at: redlines@outofarchitecture.com 

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The Turbulent Journey of an Accomplished Architect

This episode of Redlines tells the story of Natasha (a pseudonym), an architect with over 14 years of experience who faced discrimination and career roadblocks at the hands of her employer. Despite her expertise and external recognition, Natasha was excluded from opportunities and advancement.

Three major incidents:

• Natasha was invited to speak at a prestigious conference about her work in computational design.
• Her firm and professor plagiarized her work when she had the chance to pursue a PhD with a prominent university.
• Even after 14 years as an architect, Natasha faced more roadblocks when applying for promotion to senior architect.

Key Takeaways:

• Talented employees can face resentment and exclusion when their skills outshine others, especially when they don't fit expected demographic norms.
• Firms may prioritize maintaining power dynamics over equitable advancement, even at the expense of utilizing talent.
• Academia is not immune to unethical behavior when prestige and connections are at stake.
• Persist in developing your skills and pursuing your passion, even if your current environment doesn't value you.

Quotes:

“At the end I felt that because they had blocked my career, I can't do the work I enjoy the most and I also can't further develop."

Relevant Links:

• Out of Architecture website: https://www.outofarchitecture.com
• Information on becoming an Out of Architecture Patreon supporter: https://www.patreon.com/outofarchitecture

If you have resources to share that you think may be helpful to what was discussed in this episode, please email us at: redlines@outofarchitecture.com 

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This episode shines a light on the withholding of critical information by architecture firms to create an uneven power dynamic as firms hold visa sponsorship over young, foreign workers.

Our storyteller this week is Cat - a pseudonym - who shares their personal experience with the H1B visa process in the United States and the challenges they faced while working at a reputable architecture firm. 

Cat discusses the lack of transparency, exploitation, and the difficulty of seeking a life in the US versus other countries. 

“I asked my employer, can I have my receipt number so I can go into USCIS system to look up whether or not I got selected this time. They told me that there is no longer such a thing as a receipt number. But this contradict with the official statement that USC has put out on their own website, this number obviously exists. It's just my employer decided not to disclose it.”

Key takeaways:

1. The path to sponsorship can take years with uncertain results
2. Lack of transparency in the H1B visa selection process
3. Employers can legally withhold sponsorship information from workers
4. Risk in the visa process creates opportunities to take advantage of sponsored workers
5. There are many countries that provide better options for young architects

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