Architectural Workers International challenges Reinier de Graaf's op-ed on globalization
Architectural Workers International (AWI), a group of over twenty organizations advocating for architectural labor, has responded to Reinier de Graaf's opinion piece in AN. De Graaf, a partner at OMA, proposed that architects face a choice between leaving oppressive systems or making moral compromises, advocating for 'critical independence' and global engagement as a way to show solidarity. AWI disagrees, calling this a misleading choice that benefits management. They believe de Graaf conflates the issues faced by workers with those of firm leaders, overlooking the historical challenges of architects without collective power. AWI promotes grassroots internationalism through labor resistance, including fighting unpaid overtime and supporting labor actions. Their members include The Architecture Lobby, Section of Architectural Workers, Architectural Workers United, Future Architects Front, and Netherlands Angry Architects.
Key facts
- AWI is a coalition of over twenty architectural labor advocacy groups.
- Reinier de Graaf is a partner at OMA.
- De Graaf's op-ed was published in AN.
- De Graaf argues architects should adopt 'critical independence' and continue global work.
- AWI rejects de Graaf's framing as a false dichotomy.
- AWI advocates for bottom-up internationalism through labor-based resistance.
- AWI campaigns include ending unpaid overtime and supporting labor actions.
- AWI includes The Architecture Lobby, SAW, AWU, FAF, and Netherlands Angry Architects.
Entities
Artists
- Reinier de Graaf
Institutions
- Architectural Workers International
- OMA
- The Architecture Lobby
- Section of Architectural Workers
- Architectural Workers United
- Future Architects Front
- Netherlands Angry Architects
- AN