Aamodt / Plumb Recognized For Fair Labor Practices
It is no secret that the architecture industry has many labor issues ranging from long hours, high student debt, low wages and a lack of diversity. Recently, in 2017, Just Design, an Architecture Lobby initiative, was established to create a certification system for fair labor practices in architecture. Their efforts have just gone public with the publication of 25 case studies. In the Archinect article, How Aamodt/Plumb Architects is Bringing the Slow Movement to Architecture by Mackenzie Goldberg, we are honored as one of those 25 case studies for our fair labor practices.
Over the past few years, the field has received a growing amount of attention that has highlighted long standing labor issues within the architecture industry, ranging from unsustainable pay models to unwelcoming work environments. Looking for an alternative, the Architecture Lobby created the Just Design Initiative, which recognizes fair labor practices in architecture. Beginning with nominations submitted by employees, and followed by an evaluation process, the team looked at practices that can serve as models of a new status quo within the profession. Archinect has teamed up with the Just Design crew to profile firms across the country that meet the initiative’s standards. Whether it is a family-friendly work schedule or a health coverage plan that goes above and beyond, the series spotlights practices that honor the basic rights of their employees and can serve as exemplary models of what should become standard for the field.
The husband-and-wife duo behind the Cambridge-based Aamodt/Plumb Architects say they “design slow spaces for busy lives.” This sensible and laid-back approach is not only reflected in their modern, Scandinavian-inspired residential designs, but also in how the two run their firm, which currently has seven employees. From maintaining short working hours to honoring employee agency, the firm strives for a work environment centered on well-being and balance in an otherwise stress-fueled industry.
To begin, the office is structured around a 35 hour week rather than a typical 40 hour one. Workers also enjoy flex time and a number of employees are part-time. Founders Mette Aamodt and Andrew Plumb arrive at 9 o’clock and leave at 5 o’clock everyday, encouraging their workers to do so as well. “We are pretty rigorous about everybody leave at 5, go have a life, and we try to have an office culture where everyone is productive,” says Aamodt.
Diagnosed with MS in 2002, Aamodt—who also runs the blog slowspace.org to help usher the Slow Movement into architecture—says her experience encouraged her and Plumb to build their business around creating a healthy work environment. For them, bringing this holistic life view into the office is very important.
“We have our own design philosophy that we call slow space, like slow food, but with the built environment. It’s very much like stepping out of the rat race and being very present and very thoughtful, careful, considerate with what you’re doing with your time, design work, everything” she says. Part of this has to do with creating work-life balance, while the other aspects are centered on the building side, such as the materials used on projects and trying to ensure the use of fair labor and fair trade building materials on their projects. On their philosophy, Aamodt adds “we are trying to create a movement, a slow architecture movement of good, clean, and fair buildings for all.”
Read the full article, “How Aamodt/Plumb Architects is Bringing the Slow Movement to Architecture”.
