Most architects can relate to the feeling of being plunged into a deep devotion towards architecture. What starts out as a dream career becomes a nightmare for many. After a rigorous education, the experience of a tumultuous career journey can dishearten professionals. Twitter threads and LinkedIn posts have widely debated topics of long work hours and disparate pay, with not many solutions. Architects are constantly at war between profession and passion, a juxtaposition of love and despair. Perhaps, at the root of these problems is the colloquial definition of the noun ‘architect’.

“Architecture is a form of labor that masquerades as a labor of love”, write architecture studio Adjustments Agency. The statement crudely reflects the reality of an architect’s professional life. Unprofessional behavior, dishonestly-written job postings, and the realization that a career in architecture requires an alarming degree of sacrifice—these are the experiences that characterize many entry- and mid-level careers in architecture. These are the experiences that have talented professionals disappointed and seeking change.