Work-Life Balance in Architecture: Playing the Game

This book seeks to improve the work lives of architects of diverse demographics who do not fit, or want to replicate, the traditional ‘24/7’ white-male architect lifestyle. Aimed at a workforce whose life and career expectations have changed drastically in recent years, it helps readers of different generations to make informed choices about their careers – enabling students, educators, and professionals to prioritise wellbeing and offer their design and practice voice to enhance a built environment for all.

Work-Life Balance in Architecture examines what it means to play the ‘game of architecture’ – to choose to study and pursue a career in architecture rather than another profession. The book shows the economic, social, and professional structures within which architectural education and practice operate and reveals the impact of a corporate, neoliberal ‘big business’ mentality on wellbeing.

After setting out the context exacerbating work-life imbalance, the book discusses the paths an architect may take – whether this leads to a career in practice or not in architecture at all – and how alternative gameplay moves can advantage or disadvantage those of different gender, class, ethnicity, race, or age at different career stages. It concludes by examining how the places in which an architect works, the time available to work and critiques of perpetual neoliberal economic growth can enhance the lives of all architects today.

Australian born, Igea Troiani (PhD) is a Professor of Architecture and Head of Division of Architecture at London South Bank University. She has taught or practiced architecture in Australia, Germany, China, and the United Kingdom. As a practice-centred academic, her research over the last 26 years has focused on the production of the architect. She has authored five books, 50 articles and book chapters, and was editor-in-chief of Architecture and Culture from 2012–2022. She is a mother of two.