Architecture carries a strong archetype, one in which its purpose seems larger than the discipline itself. Embellished by a poetic image, its practitioners embody the symbol of great inventors who conceive space and establish new ways of living in society. It is undoubtedly an alluring trade, and one that certainly shapes the daily life of any culture. Yet it is increasingly marked by illusion and disappointment in a market that seems to gradually distance itself from theory and close itself off in niches of its own creation. Under ever-growing competition that fails to yield a significant improvement in the quality of what is produced, working in architecture gradually translates into frustration and insecurity.
We asked our audience why architecture has become such a thankless profession and what could be done to bring new questions—and solutions—to the field. We received more than 160 responses, which we have compiled and explored through the main points raised: the job market, the (false) image of the profession, the lack of recognition, the lack of regulation, and flawed professional education. See them all below.
The Job Market: From Undervaluation to Harassment
