Precariousness and working conditions are one of the most discussed issues at the moment. The project “The Office for a Non-Precarious Future” asks, in the context of the architectural profession, the following key question: Can young architects working in precarious conditions create a better world?
The exhibition is based on the research report “Working Conditions of Young Architects” that was conducted in 2020 in the Czech Republic. It shows that almost 50% of young professionals work as freelancers for a single contractor without any employment benefits (health insurance and social security, among others).
Such a high percentage comes with other problematic indicators: 62% of young architects work more than 8 hours a day, including regular or occasional work on weekends (66%) and 32% of young architects do not have a regular or fixed contractual income.
View in Arsenale of The Office for a Non-Precarious Future, Czech Pavilion at the 18th International Venice Architecture Biennale, 2023. Image courtesy of National Gallery Prague.
The exhibition
The exhibition is divided into two parts. The “Factory” represents a segmented production space. The workstations and white monitors suggest a prefabricated architecture and the tasks and hierarchies are clearly defined. An animated infographic, data, and diagrams illustrate the complex working conditions of young architects in the Czech Republic. Its opposite, the “Laboratory” is an experimental space for architects to give this discipline a speculative, collective concept. Desks, easels, and an interactive screen provide information, tools, and best practice examples that help to open up ideas for visitors and residents.
View in Arsenale of The Office for a Non-Precarious Future, Czech Pavilion at the 18th International Venice Architecture Biennale, 2023. Photograph by Andrea Avezzù.
Residency Program
Selected young actors from the Czech Republic are invited to intervene in the part of the exhibition called “Laboratory”. The residents will work on-site for three to five days throughout the exhibition period, and will co-formulate forms of architectural practice and how to live and work in a sustainable, non-precarious way. Here, seven residency projects and collectives will be presented, including rapping architects (cosa.cz); an art performance by Vladimír Turner as the mascot of precarisation, Mr. This is Fine; Instagram accounts @bimemennale with satirical memes on architecture practice (Dynamický blok & adamngebrian2); a student collective focusing on the mental health of architecture students (Stop Clicking, Start Sleeping), and others.
There is a publication by Ruby Press, Berlin, serving as an Atlas or overview of strategies and tactics young architecture platforms/collectives in Europe have developed a more sustainable, non-precarious future for professional practice. It brings best practice examples of approaches—discursive, critical; collective approaches—collectives, platforms, networks, and agencies in architecture. Particularly important ecological, cultural, and social aspects of an architect’s work will be highlighted—to find a modus operandi for the architecture profession in the 21st century.
The exhibition is based on the research report “Working Conditions of Young Architects” that was conducted in 2020 in the Czech Republic. It shows that almost 50% of young professionals work as freelancers for a single contractor without any employment benefits (health insurance and social security, among others).
Such a high percentage comes with other problematic indicators: 62% of young architects work more than 8 hours a day, including regular or occasional work on weekends (66%) and 32% of young architects do not have a regular or fixed contractual income.
View in Arsenale of The Office for a Non-Precarious Future, Czech Pavilion at the 18th International Venice Architecture Biennale, 2023. Image courtesy of National Gallery Prague.
The exhibition
The exhibition is divided into two parts. The “Factory” represents a segmented production space. The workstations and white monitors suggest a prefabricated architecture and the tasks and hierarchies are clearly defined. An animated infographic, data, and diagrams illustrate the complex working conditions of young architects in the Czech Republic. Its opposite, the “Laboratory” is an experimental space for architects to give this discipline a speculative, collective concept. Desks, easels, and an interactive screen provide information, tools, and best practice examples that help to open up ideas for visitors and residents.
View in Arsenale of The Office for a Non-Precarious Future, Czech Pavilion at the 18th International Venice Architecture Biennale, 2023. Photograph by Andrea Avezzù.
Residency Program
Selected young actors from the Czech Republic are invited to intervene in the part of the exhibition called “Laboratory”. The residents will work on-site for three to five days throughout the exhibition period, and will co-formulate forms of architectural practice and how to live and work in a sustainable, non-precarious way. Here, seven residency projects and collectives will be presented, including rapping architects (cosa.cz); an art performance by Vladimír Turner as the mascot of precarisation, Mr. This is Fine; Instagram accounts @bimemennale with satirical memes on architecture practice (Dynamický blok & adamngebrian2); a student collective focusing on the mental health of architecture students (Stop Clicking, Start Sleeping), and others.
There is a publication by Ruby Press, Berlin, serving as an Atlas or overview of strategies and tactics young architecture platforms/collectives in Europe have developed a more sustainable, non-precarious future for professional practice. It brings best practice examples of approaches—discursive, critical; collective approaches—collectives, platforms, networks, and agencies in architecture. Particularly important ecological, cultural, and social aspects of an architect’s work will be highlighted—to find a modus operandi for the architecture profession in the 21st century.
METALOCUS is live reporting from the Venice Architecture Biennale, which takes place from 20 May to 26 November 2023. See METALOCUS Guide LA BIENNALE DI VENEZIA for all the latest information you need to know to attend and know the best events and pavilions in LA BIENNALE.
![Brazil pavilion, Terra [Earth]. Photograph by Matteo de Mayda. Courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia](/sites/default/files/styles/mopis_home_news_category_slider_desktop/public/lead-images/metalocus_brazil-pavilion-earth_venice-architecture-biennale-2023_18_2p.webp?h=92c4ac38&itok=EtvlbNvv "Brazil pavilion, Terra [Earth]. Photograph by Matteo de Mayda. Courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia")
