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Work/life/work balance by Andrew Maynard


15
May 2012
By Karissa Rosenfield Filed under: Editorial , Andrew Maynard, Andrew Maynard Architects

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Courtesy of Andrew Maynard Architects

Australian architect Andrew Maynard, co-director of Andrew Maynard Architects, has shared with us his article Work/life/work balance, published first on Parlour.
Many women leave the profession due to the difficult combination of poor work cultures, long hours and low pay. But these conditions affect everyone women and
men as well as the viability of the profession as a whole. Andrew Maynard sets out the issues and challenges the profession to end exploitative and exclusionary
working practices.

It is time for architectural work practices to grow up. We must stop deluding ourselves that architectural employees are anything other than a contemporary exploited
labor force.
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5/19/12 Work/life/work balance by Andrew Maynard | ArchDaily
Epicurus argued that humans needed only three things in life to be happy friends, freedom and an analyzed life. All evidence indicates that Epicurus had a rather good
time while he was around. Now he is dead. I wonder if Epicurus became a senior associate at Philosopher & Associates Pty Ltd before he died? Surely this was a
priority. Does contemporary architectural employment deny us our happiness; our friends, freedom and the opportunity for an analyzed life? Many would argue that
being employed in architecture and the pursuit of happiness are irreconcilable. It can reasonably be argued that most architects, and almost all recent graduates, are
working in conditions that are unhealthy, unsustainable and exploitative.

Continue reading after the break.

At 27, like a surprising number of architecture graduates, I cut and ran from commercial architecture. A number of my peers disappeared into graphic design, 3D
rendering, fashion and retail. I did my time and mused that, Lifes too short. Ill start my own practice. I wont work for another architect again. What I didnt know at
27 years old was how unlikely it would be that my practice would survive. (It was more luck than anything else, by far, that it did).

We all imagine working for ourselves. We become the authors of our own work, we get the credit for our work and, most importantly, we gain full control of our
working conditions. After ten years I now have what could be described as a good work/life balance. My office is an old shop front on Brunswick Street in Fitzroy. I
live upstairs with my eight-year-old son and my partner. At 5.30pm all staff leave the office, including myself. On some nights I will return to the office after my son has
gone to sleep to play video games (mostly COD, SWTOR and BF3). On very rare occasions (perhaps six times a year) I work at night, however, this is done under very
specific conditions: Firstly, I am inspired and, secondly, I want to work.

Most importantly, through planning, management and the ability to turn away bad projects, I never allow myself to be in a position where I need to work after hours. I
have manufactured this situation with great difficulty over the years and outside of the norms of architectural practice. To generate this work/life balance I have opted
out of the overly competitive and patriarchal environment that contemporary architectural working culture demands. My practice fills a tiny niche and I recognize that it
is not financially viable for the profession as a whole to do as I do.

After all, the entire profession cannot relegate itself to working almost exclusively on renos and extensions as I do. Commercial architectural firms are the biggest
employers of architects and their slice of the pie continues to increase as we see mid-size practices morph and compress. The vast majority of architects will continue to
be employees rather than employers.

There is a strange unspoken, yet ubiquitous, competitiveness within architecture offices. Who will leave first? Who has put in the most hours? Who looks busiest? Who
gets along best with the boss? Whose timesheet is full of office and admin hours?

When I worked for one of Australias largest commercial architectural firms I deliberately ignored this internal scrutiny. I did not want to compete with my fellow
employees and I did not want to be exploited by my employer. I dedicated myself to producing the best work I could within the constraints of my employment
agreement.

I would arrive no earlier than 8.30am. I would have a morning tea break daily. I would never work through lunch. I would try to leave at 5.30pm, ensuring that I was
gone before 6pm. I would never work on weekends or public holidays.

This attitude, as expected, put me on a crash course with management. When it was clear that I was going to be uncompromising my employer became passive
aggressive and easily rallied a handful of fellow employees against me. I was accused of not being a team player. I was accused of not being committed to my projects.
The quiet hostility got to the point where I found it necessary to have my employment agreement front-and-centre on my desk, conveniently flipped to the page stating
that my work day ceased at 5.30pm and my right to paid overtime should I work beyond this.

Eventually I surrendered to the realization that I was very much alone in exercising my rights. At no point during informal reviews of my work and attitude was the
quality or quantity of the work I produced in question. I performed my contracted task well and received compliments from fellow employees about the care and rigor of
my work. There was no evidence that I did any less work than other employees. However, it became obvious that one idealistic graduate commie upstart like myself
was not going to change the exploitative office culture of one of Australias biggest firms. So I left.

Courtesy of Andrew Maynard Architects

But why was my insistence to work within the time limits, protected by my employment agreement, so confronting and provocative to my employer and so threatening
to a handful of fellow employees?

Working overtime for extended periods indicates a fundamental failure in planning or communication. Valve Software employee manual

A number of unique conditions, and abundant false logic, leaves young architects exposed to exploitation. Perhaps its our left-of-centre university indoctrination to be
egalitarian, generous and servants of society and the city? Could it be that all-nighters are considered the norm and time management is seen as the enemy of creativity
at university? It could be the illusion that one must suffer for their art. Is it simply the need to conform to an office culture?

Regardless, there is the belief that architecture is a profession that demands all or nothing. We are even led to believe that we are working in an industry whose margins

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5/19/12 Work/life/work balance by Andrew Maynard | ArchDaily
are so tight that its very survival is reliant on donated time of architectural employees.

These factors contribute to the ongoing exclusion of many parts of our diverse community; there are many individuals within our community who cannot donate their
time due to family or other external commitments. Inclusion of these individuals outside of the architectural norm would no doubt enrich the architectural profession.

Arguably the most pervasive element enabling exploitative office culture is the postmodern trickery of the contemporary working environment. Slavoj iek argues that
modern employment tactics create the illusion that our employer is our friend. This fabrication empowers the employer while denying the employed the right to vocalize
and protest dissatisfaction of their working conditions. Youre not going to stick around and help out? I thought we were a team? I thought we were friends?

iek suggests that the environment of the workplace has been twisted, using architectural devices, to manipulate employees. Kitchens, break-out spaces, lounges, free
food, free coffee he postulates that this is a postmodern sleight of hand designed to manipulate and disarm staff. By fabricating the illusion of employer as friend, the
employed is denied the opportunity to protest, argue, fight, be adversarial and demand more of their working conditions. These informal spaces are political spaces of
control, surveillance and manipulation.

Architectural employees operate within a specific set of broken logic principles that leave them open to exploitation. We tell ourselves;

If I work longer hours I will get promoted and paid better.


Architects are often the lowest paid person on the building site and the only ones willing to donate their leisure time for free.

I will one day start my own practice.


The proliferation of small practices and their significant cull rate illustrates a pathology unsupported by economic logic.

Ill rise through the ranks of management.


Architects are a labor force, not a set of managers. The most insidious trick in the corporate world was to begin calling everyone a manager, executive or senior
something or other. This created the illusion that everyone was on a relatively even plane with their employer.

We must suffer for our art.


We are suffering for our employers profit. After all, how much of your time is spent being the artist? I spend around 7% of my time being the artist. I refuse to suffer
and sacrifice for all the other stuff.

Long hours make the project better.


Long hours may produce a greater quantity of information, but corporate research suggests that working long hours drastically reduces quality and soon becomes a
liability.

My employer is suffering equally for the good of the project.


Each unpaid hour of overtime you work is profit to your employer. Though an employer may articulate otherwise, profit plays a fundamental role in encouraging an
environment of extended working hours. If one of my team did an extra hour I could only think thanks for that extra $210 you just gave me.

Architectural practices cannot afford to pay overtime.


Like so many other professions, the architectural profession would adapt. It would remodel its spreadsheets. So is the nature of capitalism.

Other professions, such as law, demand extended hours why not architecture?
Law is one of a handful of professions that has a cultural predilection for extended hours. The fundamental difference between law and architecture is that lawyers are
typically paid very well.

Creativity doesnt necessarily happen between 9am to 5pm.


How creative are you between 5.30pm and 8.30pm? Let me answer that for you; you are not creative at all, you are in fact tired, hungry and keen for a beer. You may
get a burst of creative energy at 2am, but those moments are rare and fleeting and they dont need you to be sitting in your employers office for them to emerge.

Once you allow yourself and the staff around you to work past your contracted period of employment you are enabling a culture of exploitation. A commercial office is
an instrument to make money not art. There is a hint that gives this fact away its the word commercial. Yet it is within the practice of commercial architecture that
we see the greatest amount of unpaid work and we see the greatest donation of leisure time to an employer.

Courtesy of Andrew Maynard Architects

Deferred Happiness Syndrome and a shift to an Epicurian mode of thinking.

During my time at a commercial architecture office I anecdotally noticed specific behavioral shifts among new young employees.

As employees worked longer hours their friends became those that they were working with. Is this because they saw their other friends less? This overlay
between colleague and friend helps reinforce an office culture of extended working hours.
Most employees trade their freedom either through a competitive desire to rise through the ranks or a conformity to office culture and the fear of being seen as an
uncommitted team member.
An analyzed life. Clive Hamilton writes of the endemic nature of deferred happiness now ingrained within Australian culture: (a) widespread propensity of
Australians to persist with life situations that are difficult, stressful and exhausting in the belief that the sacrifice will pay off in the longer term. If one worked

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fewer hours then perhaps one could spend more time exploring an Epicurian analyzed life.

Hamilton argues that the motivations for deferring happiness are various.

Growing aspirations for more expensive lifestyles, reflected in rapidly increasing house prices, are dominating some peoples lives. The desire to stay in this race
leads many to work longer and harder, often at the cost of other aspects of their wellbeing.
Some workers feel a powerful need to accumulate as much as they can in preparation for their retirement. This is especially prevalent among men in their forties
and fifties.
Some workers are stuck in demanding jobs because they are fearful of the consequences should they change. They become habituated to the stresses and
pressures, perhaps until a health problem or some crisis at work or home forces them to consider alternatives.

Within architecture, we should be attempting to erode the competitive aspirational illusion of grinding our way through the ranks or aspiring to all working for ourselves.

Instead we collectively need to start concentrating on securing fair and reasonable working conditions that support a healthy, rewarding and creative lifestyle. One can
and should argue that selling ones daylight hours to an employer must be fully rewarded and no part should be offered for free.

Currently architectural employees appear to have two options of attaining a good work/life balance:

(1) work for oneself and take the very real risk that one may go broke at anytime

(2) leave the profession.

These issues obviously threaten the long-term relevance of the profession. Unsustainable work practices and poor working conditions are a significant part of the overall
viability of the profession into the future.

Quite simply, if you are paid to work until 5.30pm then stop work at 5.30pm. You may be able to work for much longer, you may be keen to work longer, you may
dream of becoming an associate or one day a director, but along the way you are contributing to an exploitative and exclusive work environment.

Written by Andrew Maynard, Director and Architect of Andrew Maynard Architects

Cite:
Rosenfield , Karissa . "Work/life/work balance by Andrew Maynard" 15 May 2012. ArchDaily. Accessed 18 May 2012. <http://www.archdaily.com/234633>

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Comments (59)
Tweets (48)
Links to this entry (1)

+4
J says:

Agreed!

Reply

# May 15, 2012 at 14:39

-2
Tony Soprano says:

His work is not that bad for a small firm too.

Reply

# May 16, 2012 at 22:02

+5
Michael Fischer says:

www.archdaily.com/234633/worklifeworkbalance/ 4/25
5/19/12 Work/life/work balance by Andrew Maynard | ArchDaily
Bravo. With regards to the time and effort demands of the individual, there is a root cultural overlap from architectural schooling to the professional work place. It would
seem wise to also aim effort in rethinking the approach and execution from the educational side of architecture to further compliment these changes outlined for the
workplace.

Reply

# May 15, 2012 at 15:25


+8
a guy from malta says:

very good article. if only everybody would agree to stop slavery then the world would look better

Reply

# May 15, 2012 at 15:39

+1
ejjh says:

agreed on the thoughtful article, but lets not go so far as to compare underpaid white collar employment to *actual* slavery, which still does exist in the world
today.

Reply

# May 16, 2012 at 02:52

+9
Nick says:

This article gets at the very root, the very core of everything in my opinion. Never should there be a profession which rips away the enjoyment of that purveyors life.
Thanks you for shedding some light, for those who sacrifice themselves for someone elses profit every day, on an issue that most people are blind to see.

Reply

# May 15, 2012 at 15:52


+5
Juan Pablo says:

Ive worked in Barcelona and Santiago de Chile and its the same scheme as Australias, it seems. Here in Chile now, the main problem is the major and unrealistic
quantity of arch. schools, mostly private, that make construction market abuse the high number of architects looking for jobs. No way out for now, maybe political in the
long term. Lets vote for real.

Reply

# May 15, 2012 at 16:05


+6
Mark V says:

A big thanks to Andrew for writing so clearly what many of us believe and commit ourselves to. As a young architecture professional, I have been working hard to
establish a proper working balance and it is very encouraging for a successful and experienced architect to reinforce.

Reply

# May 15, 2012 at 16:11


+4
will says:

Thank you for articulating this so well.

In my experience in design offices there is an enormous emphasis on endless cycles of options, with the attitude that more time = better solutions. If we suffer enough,

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if we exhaust every option, the client will be impressed and the work is bound to be good. After 12 years I have seen that this is rarely the case.

Efficiency is almost never discussed because it is assumed that labor is free or at a discount.

Reply

# May 15, 2012 at 16:33


+5
Chris says:

Episode IV: A New Hope

Reply

# May 15, 2012 at 16:36


+6
Patrick H says:

Great article, thank you. These frustrations led me to leave a mid-size firm 3 years ago and start freelancing. Id encourage others to do the same. The exploitation only
works because the workers tolerate it!

Reply

# May 15, 2012 at 16:42


+4
Ben says:

Well said, Andrew. That was the most honest thing to come out of our industry in years.
I would forward it to my boss but hed just fire mejk

Reply

# May 15, 2012 at 19:27


+7
Brandon Young says:

its a good article i agree, but i think the root of the problem lies in architecture school not in the profession. professors just expect us to work long hours from day one.
its not like we walk into an architecture firm and all of sudden find ourselves working past 5:30 everyday. we are used to the extreme work hours from architecture
school. the problem lies in the education not the profession. that being said, the reason why we work late hours in architecture school is because architecture students
find comfort in the idea that their sacrifice is worthwhile because it enhances their ideal self-image, the hero designer. Similar to medical students, we find reward in
sleep deprivation because the learning experience ennobles it. If the learning experience didnt ennoble it, then there wouldnt be this problem and maybe then we could
live a more average life.

Reply

# May 15, 2012 at 20:04


+6
Alberto Sunderland says:

Andrew, thank you very much for this article. I have often thought that perhaps Architects should have their very own Union, but I think most would see that as
somehow lowering ourselves and im sure there would be a lot of resistance from the upper echelons in most commercial firms.

Reply

# May 15, 2012 at 20:18


+1
Adriano says:

Couldnt be more right.. Sitting at work right now reading this and considering your 2 options.

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5/19/12 Work/life/work balance by Andrew Maynard | ArchDaily
Didnt include the holiday to Spain in there

Reply

# May 15, 2012 at 22:17


+4
chris roberts says:

In Architecture in Australia this has been the elephant in room for years and has ultimately underminded the profession.
pitty we don,t see more discussion on the subject, good stuff.

Reply

# May 15, 2012 at 23:06


+2
Kieran says:

link posted as my facebook status. perspective that all industries could consider

Reply

# May 16, 2012 at 00:45


+2
m g r says:

Love it! Best article ever in archdaily life and pretty relevant nowadays

Regarding Brandon Young comment, I do agree some of the problem starts at architecture schools but, lets remember that in most of the cases, professors are the first
employers of those architecturally-robotized students. Students willingly become cheap working force in order to access the hidden professional circle. Therefore, I still
think there is a professional problem (if not a moral and ethical one in general terms)

Some architectural unions start to flourish though often criticized due to the dumb assumptions around them (commies, lazy individuals wanting to work less, etc.)
which I hear even at the most blue-collared environments.

Anyway, A New Hope (hopefully)

Reply

# May 16, 2012 at 05:31


+9
Skaap says:

I never did an all nighter during uni and got a distinction. Gensler fired me for not working weekends and that was the best thing to ever happen to me as it was the
worst place to work ever. I since decided not to do overtime unless absolutely neccesary and have been getting better jobs and pay than my peers. You have to believe
in your worth. If you arent performing in the given hours maybe youre calling is something else.

Reply

# May 16, 2012 at 07:52


+6
Zilon X says:

Fact: some big architectural offices make big money, and almost ever, this do not translate to better gains or conditions to the professional. Other than that, there are a lot
of architects on the wrong profession they could be everything else, but not architects and most of those are working long after hours

Reply

# May 16, 2012 at 07:59


+2
StructEng says:

www.archdaily.com/234633/worklifeworkbalance/ 7/25
5/19/12 Work/life/work balance by Andrew Maynard | ArchDaily
Very well said. The same goes for the engineering industry. I worked for a very large company and the conditions were very similar. The attraction of working on high
profile projects and the hope that this will somehow lead to moving up keeps the slaves going for a while. Unfortunately the engineering lacks any creativity or quality
because its all done by drones with the pressure on time/fees.

I think part of the problem is that as an industry we are not business minded. Lawyers and other professionals are savvy enough to not cannibalize each other by
competing for lower and lower fees.

Reply

# May 16, 2012 at 10:11


+5
Harpo says:

I work as an Industrial Designer, and find myself in that very situation. My boss actually put a negative comment in my review for taking vacation time, and calls me
uncommited if I do not stay late. Very frustrating. And, Industrial Designers are paid very little for the work and creativity we provide. How have the creative fields
become so undervalued? And why are poeple so willing to trade their personal lives for their employer?

Reply

# May 16, 2012 at 13:02


-1
Jef in SF says:

Great Article
- The issue & solutions do not need to be so black & white.
- My frustration is the lack of efficiency: exploit technology!
- BIM has transform our productivity from dumb 2D cad.
- Research examples in other professions & architecture firms:
(Example is Google allowing employees to explore personal interests)
- When I leave the physical office, the project is always in my consciousness: The best solutions / inspiration happen not in O.T. at the office, but walking down the
street, in the shower, at art galleries, while enjoying a meal, & my favorite: when meditating.
archmix@gmail.com

Reply

# May 16, 2012 at 13:33


0
Jef in SF says:

Great Article
- The issue & solutions do not need to be so black & white.
- My frustration is the lack of efficiency: exploit technology!
- BIM has transform our productivity from dumb 2D cad.
- Research examples in other professions & architecture firms:
(Example is Google allowing employees to explore personal interests)
- When I leave the physical office, the project is always in my consciousness: The best solutions / inspiration happen not in O.T. at the office, but walking down the
street, in the shower, at art galleries, while enjoying a meal, & my favorite: when meditating.
archmix@gmail.com

Reply

# May 16, 2012 at 13:33


+3
Francisco says:

Capitalism formulaMaximum profit (for the employer) that is the cause of all the symptoms mentioned in the article. Something already known by most of us
reading the article.

The question here is.. Whats the plan? We see the problem but we dont have a good solution.

Reply

# May 16, 2012 at 13:36


+3
Scott Smith says:

www.archdaily.com/234633/worklifeworkbalance/ 8/25
5/19/12 Work/life/work balance by Andrew Maynard | ArchDaily

Couldnt agree more, Ive always said if you cant accomplish what you need to in an 8 hour day/40 hour week something is wrong with you or wrong with your
manager.

There are always exceptions of course.

Reply

# May 16, 2012 at 13:40


+1
Bliash says:

Very true article. I think another important reason for this phenomenon is the too large supply of architecture related people in business. This creates the possibility for
owners to increase the pressure on the people.

Reply

# May 16, 2012 at 14:42


+1
jamie go says:

Excellent and very timely article. In my own experience, I have been unable to break into the creative industries because of the unspoken requirement that one
completes several unpaid, full time internships, lasting months if not years. This results in the industry being dominated by workaholics from privileged backgrounds.

While internship culture is an adjunct to the issue highlighted in the article, it is perhaps another root cause of the culture of working for free in creative industry. It is
demeaning for all involved (but for some at the top), it demeans creative work and excludes many from entering an industry where they could offer so much to it.

Sadly, this kind of worker exploitation is endemic to contemporary capitalism, but looking at the architectural profession in-depth like the author has makes for an
enlightening and cautionary case study.

Reply

# May 16, 2012 at 14:48


+1
Sam says:

I imagine there has been a significant influx of CVs sent to Mr Maynard.

Reply

# May 16, 2012 at 15:54


+2
simonk says:

Great article! Ironically it is my architectural peers (sometimes friends), not employers, that put the most pressure on me to work long and late hours

Reply

# May 16, 2012 at 16:35


+3
M_Blazon says:

Without trying to sound deliberately hyperbolic, how is this article not sparking a revolution? My only two choices are work for myself and quit? This is my lifes
work. I believe what Ive read as Ive experienced what it describes firsthand but thats what it boils down to? Looks like Ive got to polish up my stand-up comedy
routine. Though itll be hard to sound funny after having read this.

Reply

# May 16, 2012 at 17:18


0

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5/19/12 Work/life/work balance by Andrew Maynard | ArchDaily
Elizabeth says:

Great article! I am one of the many that left the commercial world to start my own modest business.the final straw was having returned from (unpaid) maternity leave
to a part time (3 days a week) job, I quickly realized that there was an expectation that I would need to complete at least 5 long days of work in those 3 days! My non
architect partner was appalled at the increasingly long hours I was working! Life is much better, (though much less secure and profitable) this side of the fence!

Reply

# May 16, 2012 at 17:32


+1
Stan Majcherkiewicz says:

Right on. Couldnt say it better.

Reply

# May 16, 2012 at 18:29


+2
Georgie B says:

Bravo!

Reply

# May 16, 2012 at 19:41


+3
Future Shape says:

Completely agree! Since Im still a Student. In my opinion, the Architectural training in educational institution eager us to work perfectly with some sort limited of time.
So, unconsciously we willing to work overtime to finish the job and we fight for the good grade. I also agree with the statement work more NOT equals more creativity.
Probably we can produce better diagrams and site analysis or drawings set, but actually the core concept wont going much further.

I think, if the educational institution would like to re-interpreting the attitude of Architects which has to comply with personal life, I think Architects life will be better.

If I had a project, I always keep away from sunlight, no time to cook or usually I eat instant or canned food and absolutely could not sleep for 3 days. What a healthy
live.

Reply

# May 16, 2012 at 20:56


-1
mrmomar says:

I agree with most of what you have said. However, I disagree with the undertone of the article that employees are essentially helpless unless they start their own
practice, or leave architecture. In recent months I have made tremendous effort to be more effective, more efficient and to work smarter not harder.

The result after making this effort has been astounding I rarely work overtime, my productivity has increased, my quality of work has increased, and the chronic
condition of over-expending hours on a limited fee has, for the most part, diseased.

Food for thought. Maybe were just bad at our jobs?

Reply

# May 16, 2012 at 22:40


0
John Lamb says:

I for one am right out the door at 5pm without fail.

Reply

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5/19/12 Work/life/work balance by Andrew Maynard | ArchDaily

# May 16, 2012 at 23:15


0
Sharon says:

Fantastic article! Most Architecture firms, from where I sit, are dinosaurs when it comes to keeping up with the new challenges in relation to employee engagement, staff
retention and attraction strategies, and to a degree fostering a desirable culture. The old way is not necessarily the right way of doing things around here.

Architects are brilliant at creating amazing buildings, but some fall short of the mark when it comes to creating amazing teams. Educate the mid to top tier leadership
teams in terms of current HR best practices and implement the appropriate structures, rituals and symbols into the workplace, and you might find staff become more
productive, more engaged & better advocates for your firm. Well done Andrew!

Reply

# May 16, 2012 at 23:48


+1
mebeyou says:

As only someone who has been there could tell it. Much needed insights! Thanks Andrew.

For a variety of reasons including those pointed out in Andrews article I chose option #2. It was the best thing that I have done for myself and my family. I have just
submitted a forum post at Archinect called After architecture: Success stories of leaving the discipline. I will submit the link here once the forum moderator approves
the post. If you too have left the disciple and have something positive to share about what it looks like from the other side, please head over to Archinect and share your
story. We owe it to the the younger generation to understand the existence of alternative paths.

Reply

# May 17, 2012 at 00:45


+4
Alberto Sunderland says:

Congratulations Andrew. Brave article. Brave to put you name to it and expose yourself to a virtual lynching.

I dont think Andrews article give us only two options; work for oneself or leave the industry.

I think there are a myriad of options open to us. For example imagine if everyone working at a typical large commercial firm [where for years they have been doing
hours and hours of unpaid overtime] got up at exactly 5:30pm and walked out. Like a flash mob but only in reverse; instead of appearing they disappear! Perhaps if we
organised such action on a national scale and repeated that action every night for a week or a month. What would happen then? The powers that be would adjust
accordingly, the message would be loud and clear, and the fear that one may loose his job by actually speaking up would disappear.

Reply

# May 17, 2012 at 01:56


+1
Carl says:

And when did 9-5 become 8:30 5:30?

Reply

# May 17, 2012 at 06:07


+2
Idan Zveibil says:

A voice. Finally
Our profession is viewed by so many as irrelevant. I notice all around me works carried without any architect involved with the thought of people that they know
better.
Another fact that come to my mind is respect yourself and you will be respected.
Demanding our money worth for our work and dedicated hours is so relevant in order to present dignified work and be respected for it.
No more doing anything for free, or presenting 5 versions in the cost of 1. No more no compensation competitions. In advertising no one will present a tender unless it is
paid for it, why should we?
Seriously, we should fight for our rights! To live a happy balanced life!

Reply

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5/19/12 Work/life/work balance by Andrew Maynard | ArchDaily
# May 17, 2012 at 06:19
+1
Juan says:

Thanks for writing the article. In my experience I have seen humanly ran architectural practices (no overtime, bonuses based on performance, good wages, etc.) the
common feature between this practices was that all were ran by architect-managers which could understand both the nature of the profession and the nature of business.
In my days as an arch. student, management education for architects was nearly non existent, thus the skills needed to run a practice had to be learned the hard way.
Architects need to understand that practicing architecture goes way beyond design and that fostering a proper working environment is critical for the production of
relevant work. Slavery prone practices dont tend to last long.

Reply

# May 17, 2012 at 07:00


+3
Kavan Applegate says:

I agree this is a good article, but Im honestly surprised that our firm is apparently so unusual.
1. We try to limit overtime at all
2. Overtime is paid at time-and-a-half
3. Overtime, when it occurs, is generally self-motivated because individuals want to finish tasks or meet self-imposed deadlines, or whatever. But, it is rare.

We changed to this about 7 years ago, and as Andrew indicated, once the decision was made, the culture changed.

I suspect others are more fearful of the unknown rather than just greedy for profits if employers were THAT money-focussed, they would have done something other
than architecture.

Reply

# May 17, 2012 at 07:56


-5

Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.

-2
cooper says:

I absolutely agree! as a stay at home mother of four, I am afraid to return back to architecture after 12 years of long hours and working weekends, I would never see my
kids grow up! when I was pregnant with my third, I was handed a book about how the population of men and childless workers had to make up for the lack of work
produced by working mothers.

Reply

# May 17, 2012 at 09:45


0
Josh Kutler says:

Sorry for the duplicate post. I did not see that my post was already added. Serious server lag.

Reply

# May 17, 2012 at 12:14


0
b_dd says:

Ive felt many/if not all of the same feelings/thoughts throughout my architectural career. Thank you for putting this voice out there.

Reply

# May 17, 2012 at 12:57


0
Jek says:

www.archdaily.com/234633/worklifeworkbalance/ 12/25
5/19/12 Work/life/work balance by Andrew Maynard | ArchDaily

The truth! Finally! From someone on the INSIDE!


Thank you Mr. Maynard!

Reply

# May 17, 2012 at 13:03


0
Hallie says:

I think this is a very good article, and Im thankful that a successful individual in the practice has voiced the issue.
However, I believe there are some key factors at play that are missing from the article. While it is true that the employer is ultimately responsible for the working
conditions of its employees, it also needs incentive to do so. A commercial employer will never find it necessary to increase pay, reduce hours, or better the work
environment, so long as there are thousands of young architects who are willing to work under poor conditions. Wherever there is an architect who attempts to boycott
this system, there are hundreds waiting in line to take their position for even lower (or no) pay and accept the working conditions as they are.
A significant root of the problem lies within the people who are willing to accept the culture as it is- the employees themselves. But who can blame them when the
unemployment rate is so high? It is a dangerous game for a young architect to test their employers loyalty to a written contract (if there even is one),chance the
possibility of being let go, and being thrown into a sea of thousands upon thousands of unemployed architects who are all competing for a handful of positions.
The process is a vicious cycle and one Ive contemplated at great length after working for several years for a starchitect. I have since quit that position in search for a
better work/lifestyle balance. In exchange for regular working hours I have sacrificed proper health insurance and roughly 20% of my previous income. I am much
happier now, but when those sacrifices are made, can you really consider it a balance?

Reply

# May 17, 2012 at 14:03


+1
Andrew K says:

The fundamental difference between law and architecture is that lawyers are typically paid very well.

That actually is NOT the fundamental difference. The resulting difference in hours and fees is a result of the ability to monetize and quantify the value of services
rendered.

Law services are very easily measured. The value of avoiding a lawsuit, or succesfully negotiating litigation is far more measurable than the value of a $30,000 change
order on a project. Therein lies the problem with our profession. I agree somewhat with the points Mr. Maynard takes, but I think the constant comparison between our
profession and other high-skill services is not really apples-to-apples.

What we do is rather abstract and qualitative. He cites a capitalistic market, but our industry produces things that are entirely custom and qualitative in value. As a result,
market comparisons and valuation is tenuous at most. Whats added value in going with Firm A over Firm B? We cant really answer that question, and thats why we
wind up where we are at.

Reply

# May 17, 2012 at 14:58


0
Eli says:

Perfect. It is a sad thing that the industry has sold itself so short. We are regarded as servants, not as professionals, with much of the labor being carried by the young.
Its a bitter environment to walk into and attempt to grow in. But the big question is how do we change this? It would require an industry wide shift. And there too many
profit-centric corporate style firms that would never embrace this. And in an economy where our profession is undergoing a thinning of the herd due to lack of work,
some firms cant allow a client to slip away just because they request a brutal schedule. The big firms will snap the work up because they have no moral compunctions
about making their employees meet that schedule. We as the employees have to agree as one to leave work when it is time leave. Heres hoping for some change!

Reply

# May 17, 2012 at 19:46


0
Manny Garcia says:

Great article. Im a graphic designer and the same could be said of most design workplaces. There are so many parallels if not absolutely identical. The employer as
friend is an absurd notion in most cases. Its a smart tactic to keep you at work. My most recent work environment offered a kitchen w/ food and beer, a lounge in the
front complete with 50 HDTV and all three major consoles. It was all there to have you stay in the office. I was compensated on a day rate. So each hour I stayed over
my contracted time was free or made me feel like I was potentially working for under minimum wage. I stood up for myself and very rarely let myself be taken
advantage of. The sad fact is that there are constantly young people ready and eager to take your place. Id have to say the worst is a low paying internship or a free
internship. Thats were the real slavery lays.
www.archdaily.com/234633/worklifeworkbalance/ 13/25
5/19/12 Work/life/work balance by Andrew Maynard | ArchDaily

Reply

# May 17, 2012 at 19:55


0
ZP says:

So interesting to read this article. I recently returned to university to expand my skill set. My realisation was summarised in Andrews closing remarks;
Currently architectural employees appear to have two options of attaining a good work/life balance:

(1) work for oneself and take the very real risk that one may go broke at anytime

(2) leave the profession.


Architecture practices are run by Architects. Who have architectural training, with little if any managerial training or understanding of economics. The Architectural
industry has allowed itself to become an undervalued and marginalised part of the building process due to their inability to demonstrate and prove their added value.
Employees of these practices are in the same boat and witness to this inability to prove value and tend to become exploited. The whole industry needs a shake up.

Reply

# May 17, 2012 at 20:09


0
Andrew Maynard says:

Thanks for all the wonderful feedback. I am glad that the article seems to have hit a chord. I strongly suggest that you head over to http://www.archiparlour.org (where
my article first appeared) for many (far better) articles that relate to the work/life balance and fair conditions in the workplace.

Reply

# May 17, 2012 at 22:00


0
Thomas says:

This is a very succinct and well-presented argument and Im happy that youve taken the time to write down what it seems everyones constantly taking about. Lets
hope that it leads to more examined lives, and more people taking an active role in finding their own happiness.

Reply

# May 18, 2012 at 01:02


0
Abdullah says:

hey Mr Andrew

i worked for s very famous Architect in South Africa, in in this office overtime (accumulated hours
) was = to time out of the office. A great idea, but when it was time to take your hours off it did not always go dowm well.
anyway, just a question, please give me pointers as to how you run your office?

Reply

# May 18, 2012 at 04:24


0
Shilpa says:

Spot On Article!!
Been there, done that.. I couldnt agree more!!

Reply

# May 18, 2012 at 05:07


0
Boyd Wilkinson says:

www.archdaily.com/234633/worklifeworkbalance/ 14/25
5/19/12 Work/life/work balance by Andrew Maynard | ArchDaily

Ive been in a similar situation, working at a grade-A firm in Sydney. The long hours were not an expectation, but a necessity, in order to be appointed to the next
project team. A 8am-10pm day was a regular occurrence, and 8-6pm the norm.

Luckily a redundancy package came my way, and I gladly jumped. At 27, with nearly 10 years of experience in infrastructure projects, I was fortunate enough to join
the public sector in New South Wales. The pay increased dramatically, and a maximum 35-hour working week is enforced.

I have noticed that the quality of my work has increased, and the output volume is similar. The work smart adage has certainly proved true.

I know that public-sector architectural consultancies are rare, however if the chance presents, I strongly recommend.

Reply

# May 18, 2012 at 07:21


0

1:11 AM May 16th

Alan Gee

WorkLife Work/life/work balance by Andrew Maynard | ArchDaily http://t.co/nKxxwO6l from RSS

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2:42 AM May 16th

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Work/life/work balance by Andrew Maynard


http://t.co/IbXweMHy

3:06 AM May 16th

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3:32 AM May 16th

LifeinBalanceinfo

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www.archdaily.com/234633/worklifeworkbalance/ 15/25
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0

6:48 AM May 16th

A.C.Id.+LaBuenaVida

Work/life/work balance by Andrew Maynard | ArchDaily http://t.co/X9qJ4Iad va @archdaily

7:13 AM May 16th

Enrique Martnez

Work/life/work balance by Andrew Maynard | ArchDaily http://t.co/X9qJ4Iad va @archdaily

10:59 AM May 16th

Brindle

Utterly brilliant on the exploitation of architects by commercial architectural practices http://t.co/gwu45gaA fao @jeremytill

11:20 AM May 16th

Alice Hood

Work/life/work balance by Andrew Maynard | ArchDaily http://t.co/qDTROeFM via @archdaily

12:00 PM May 16th

Daniel G. Cordon

RT @AndrewMaynard: @_Parlour article on @ArchDaily: Work/life/work balance by Andrew Maynard http://t.co/Mvb19bfI #architecture

12:00 PM May 16th

Daniel Cordon

RT @AndrewMaynard: @_Parlour article on @ArchDaily: Work/life/work balance by Andrew Maynard http://t.co/NeQwhnLl #architecture

12:20 PM May 16th

PAMPOLSARQUITECTEslp

Reflexin lcida y estimulante sobre vida/trabajo de arquitecto | Work/life/work balance by Andrew Maynard | Archdaily http://t.co/ffu9lVFF

12:43 PM May 16th

Harald Brynlund-Lima

fin artikkel om arbeids- og ytelseskulturer p arkitektkontorer: http://t.co/1spQ4pIL

12:45 PM May 16th

Harald Brynlund-Lima

..workplace twist, using #architecture, to manipulate employees. kitchens, lounges, free food, free coffee http://t.co/2q3zjkO8 #zizek

1:37 PM May 16th

Rockstarchitecture

Work/life/work balance by Andrew Maynard | ArchDaily http://t.co/Isd22ynk via @archdaily

1:38 PM May 16th

IOI

What is @AIANational 's response to Andrew Maynard's article? http://t.co/lHJ55M5s

2:27 PM May 16th

www.archdaily.com/234633/worklifeworkbalance/ 16/25
5/19/12 Work/life/work balance by Andrew Maynard | ArchDaily
Seth Rodewald-Bates

Work/life/work balance by Andrew Maynard | ArchDaily http://t.co/Zm0RXkKg via @archdaily..hahaha!!!! leave @ 5:30.

2:39 PM May 16th

Meredith Post

Work/Life/Work Balance: http://t.co/PHVYkQk4

2:41 PM May 16th

The Ranch Mine

Fantastic article for all the architects and architecture graduates out there http://t.co/3TJYb2pB

3:00 PM May 16th

Juan Bugarin

Great Responses to @AndrewMaynard 's post on bucking exploitative #architecture office culture. Can you relate? http://t.co/1mcCCSI5

1:40 AM May 17th

Neph Wake

Good to see @archdaily's republishing of @AndrewMaynard's @_Parlour article kickstarting some comments. http://t.co/ya8I5y8K

3:32 AM May 17th

kath odonnell

a work/life balance article regarding architects. I think it's true for engineers & IT people also http://t.co/PPaoBBBB probably others too

3:57 AM May 17th

Joanna Helm

Work/life/work balance by Andrew Maynard | ArchDaily http://t.co/opcck8vP va @archdaily

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thomas brown

Interesting read. A must for young #architects // Work/life/work balance by Andrew Maynard http://t.co/EyaJEYWt via @archdaily

4:21 AM May 17th

Zachary Meade

Good point.. http://t.co/NTVFChJs

4:23 AM May 17th

Ross McPhail

work/life/work balance. http://t.co/UkYc88EH

4:25 AM May 17th

Annette Rose

Architecture enables a culture of exploitation? Shocker. Must read for not only architects: http://t.co/TruX4hba #bethechange

4:49 AM May 17th

jayson hood

Interesting, accurate perspective MT @marshall_tara: This ones for my Archi friends who share and know this pain. http://t.co/nLGv5LRZ

www.archdaily.com/234633/worklifeworkbalance/ 17/25
5/19/12 Work/life/work balance by Andrew Maynard | ArchDaily
0

5:45 AM May 17th

Guy Horton

Great Responses to @AndrewMaynard 's post on bucking exploitative #architecture office culture. Can you relate? http://t.co/1mcCCSI5

5:56 AM May 17th

Dave

Interesting article on Work/Life Balance in Architecture by Andrew Maynard


http://t.co/LawHSrFL

6:00 AM May 17th

Dave

Interesting read about #WorkLifeBalance in Architecture by Andrew Maynard http://t.co/LawHSrFL

7:07 AM May 17th

Tara Imani, AIA, CSI

Great Responses to @AndrewMaynard 's post on bucking exploitative #architecture office culture. Can you relate? http://t.co/1mcCCSI5

11:58 PM May 17th

Manuel Garcia

Work/life/work balance by Andrew Maynard | ArchDaily http://t.co/qLqbS9o2 via @archdaily So many parallels to most creative workspaces.

1:19 AM May 18th

Lao Y

Work/life/work balance by Andrew Maynard | ArchDaily http://t.co/okZpu2Ye

1:23 AM May 18th

Aaron Bergmann

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1:52 AM May 18th

Catherine Griffiths

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3:39 AM May 18th

Louie H. Varni

Fantastic article for all the architects and architecture graduates out there http://t.co/3TJYb2pB

4:22 AM May 18th

Takuma Hiramatsu

Working overtime for extended periods indicates a fundamental failure in planning or communication. http://t.co/KGH6sMF9

5:06 AM May 18th

Sally Orwin Lee

Great article. Challenging! Work/life/work balance by Andrew Maynard | ArchDaily http://t.co/E4ESGAWd

5:06 AM May 18th


www.archdaily.com/234633/worklifeworkbalance/ 18/25
5/19/12 Work/life/work balance by Andrew Maynard | ArchDaily
Stefano Massa

Work/life/work balance or how the architecture industry needs to change: http://t.co/QE0Lx3tO Thank you @AndrewMaynard, so well written.

5:53 AM May 18th

David Weir

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6:44 AM May 18th

ajealousarchitect

I hope my life ends up like this!!

Work/life/work balance by Andrew Maynard | ArchDaily http://t.co/E2oPFVRn via @archdaily

7:27 AM May 18th

APDL

An article every architect must read: Work/life/work balance by @AndrewMaynard | ArchDaily http://t.co/TrVO4qOP via @archdaily

7:34 AM May 18th

Dragica Kahlina

RT @doctorcrowd: Work/life balance in the architecture industry http://t.co/Y1lOIre7 via @AndrewMaynard <- reminds me of gamedev

Architect Work/life/work balance by Andrew Maynard

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