ABSTRACT
The RIBA report Why do women leave architecture? notes that the findings, including discriminatory and anti-family tendencies in male-dominated practices, apply to both genders. It goes on to identify the long hours culture as a core issue. Architecture is seen as a vocation. Long hours and weekends are needed to break even or make a profit, which makes us the laughing stock of other construction professionals who work less and earn more. Indeed, the architects most lauded by our profession as ‘genius’ and awarded the highest accolades are, allegedly, the worst offenders in poor pay and conditions, ‘shape making’ ego projects for massive personal profit. Their staff will suffer long hours for better career prospects. The alpha male and female characters of architecture need to listen more and to care more.
