In this week's comments update, readers are debating Andrew Daley's opinion piece which argued that "architects must reject the 'follow your passion' narrative and see themselves as workers".
Widespread unionisation should be supported by studio leaders as it would help architecture businesses thrive as well as giving workers a fair deal, wrote Andrew Daley of Architectural Workers United for Dezeen. Commenters responded with their own feelings about working in the industry.
Adam M thinks people complaining need to get a grip. "If you're working too many hours for pay that you don't think is fair – Leave! Nothing changes if people don't stand up and advocate for themselves," they commented.
David M blames capitalism: "One of the sleight-of-hands that late capitalism has hoodwinked workers in every industry with is the idea there is fulfilment and wellbeing in the extra hours you work for free".
Chris M thinks the solution to avoid "this race-to-the-bottom is via collective action. When workers organize the cutthroat conditions become untenable."
"The real problem is not that your employers don't value your time and effort, it is that the world at large doesn't value architecture in the slightest," argued Eugene Eley.
WorkerBee took a more fatalistic view: "I don't like most of my colleagues anyway".
Do you think unionisation would make a difference to working conditions? Join the discussion ›
"Brad's only mistake was trying to help"
Commenters have been discussing where responsibility lies for homes built by Brad Pitt's Make It Right Foundation housing charity, which suffered from water leaks, black mould and foundation issues. Last week the actor reportedly agreed to a settlement of $20.5 million for the owners of the problem houses.
Apsco Radiales doesn't think it's Pitt's fault. "Don't blame the big names. Blame the local architects," they commented.
Trusake defended the actor: "Brad’s only mistake was trying to help. Even if he wasn't involved the outcome of the houses would've been the same."
"Not one person has mentioned the building inspectors?"Â The Paint Man thinks there are others to blame.
What do you think? Join the discussion ›
"You can't kick a football around in a forest"
Last week, Phineas Harper wrote an opinion piece arguing that "in the face of climate change, Britain's lawned parks should be replaced with urban forests to help control city temperatures and keep green spaces green during hot summers". The commenters debated the merits of grass versus trees.
Regardless of the merits of both, "park management practices are going to have to change to remain sustainable, or even functionally viable, in many (if not all) regions", acknowledged Jay C White Cloud.
Randy Geyer wondered "were lawns ever viable?" But Benjamin Brace echoed other commenters when he argued that "you can't kick a football around in a forest".
Smorgasbord claimed that "grassland is more effective than forested environments at soaking up our carbon output" anyway.
Does it make sense to you to turn our grassy parks into forests? Join the discussion ›
"It doesn't exactly scream Hogwarts!"
Readers were suspicious of the claimed inspiration of a 6,400-square-foot (595 square metre) family home in Franklin, Detroit. The architecture practice, Iannuzzi Studio, said they had incorporated ideas from the Harry Potter novels into the design.
Jay C White Cloud was more concerned with the size, which they thought was of "the 'McMansion' class of homeowners, not those actually concerned with sustainability in architecture."
Simply_Indulgence exclaimed, "it doesn't exactly scream Hogwarts!"
Goods agreed that "These firms are distracting from their work with overly complicated narratives."
Can you see the Harry Potter references in this project? Join the discussion ›
Comments update
Dezeen is the world's most commented architecture and design magazine, receiving thousands of comments each month from readers. Keep up to date on the latest discussions on our comments page.