Rethinking the Labor Processes of Architecture in Turkey

• Main Authors: Gülşah Aykaç, Esra Sert
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hacettepe University 2018-12-01
• Series: Momentdergi
• Subjects: mimarlıkta emek süreçleri; mimarlıkta yaratıcı emek; mimar-işçi; türkiye’de mimarlık; mimarlık eleştirisi
• Online Access: http://www.momentjournal.org/index.php/momentdergi/article/view/355

<p class="FreeForm">This paper aims to discuss how “the discourse of creative labor” is being reproduced as an apparatus of exploitation in the architectural labor processes of twenty-first-century Turkey through “architect-workers.” The discourse of creative labor has deepened the exploitation of architect-workers, as all workers, and defines the very privileged position of architect-boss in relation to other laborers. This exploitation became visible both in Turkey and worldwide through the comments of architects—who are both bosses of their architecture firms and so-called <em>starchitects—</em>about their own positions and practices. In addition, twenty-first-century architecture in Turkey can be criticized for the increasing precarity that has stemmed from the processes of <em>yapsatçılık</em> and mega-projects. To cope with this exploitation, “the discourse of creative labor” can also be reproduced by architect-workers. Consequently, this paper aims to provide ground on which to problematize the architect-worker as a member of the working class, as well as in the context of a discourse on creative labor and its exploitative use in the labor processes of architecture.</p>