Researchers have created a series of guides to support wellbeing for architects, after a survey found architecture workers had a lower-than-average quality of life compared with Australia's general working population.
Led by RMIT Professor Naomi Stead in collaboration with Monash University researchers and eleven architecture industry partners, including award-winning advocacy group Parlour, the five guides were designed in response to a three-year RMIT-led research project. The Wellbeing of Architects: Culture, Identity and Practice study found two thirds of architects experienced at least some level of psychological distress.
The ARC-funded research also funded more than one quarter of respondents had experienced moderate to severe psychological distress, while 42% reported their work had a generally negative impact on their wellbeing.
Many of the research participants indicated that there was a discrepancy between effort and reward in architectural work – given relatively low pay, long hours, pressured deadlines and intense risk and complexity.
"Sometimes, in architectural work, people feel like the juice isn't worth the squeeze," Stead said.
Poor wellbeing was most acute in respondents under 36 years old, who were nearly twice as likely to report moderate to severe psychological distress compared to respondents in older age groups.
"Rather than flourishing, parts of this community can best be described as languishing," said Stead, who is the Director of the Design and Creative Practice Enabling Capability Platform at RMIT.
"One of the most notable and concerning findings was that in 2023, the wellbeing of respondents was significantly lower than the Australian population in general and was substantially lower again than our earlier survey in 2021."
"All items from the personal wellbeing index were rated lower in 2023 than in 2021. This was particularly notable in relation to future security, achievement in life, health, and standard of living."
The launch of the Guides to Wellbeing in Architectural Practice
Stead will be launching the series of five guides at a two-day symposium, The Wellbeing of Architects: Education and Practice, held at Collingwood Yards on May 8-9.
As a free online resource, the
