Reaction Paper #2

Interview with Tom Rankin, Architect and director at the firm, Tevereterno.

Speaking with Tom Rankin of Tevereterno in Italy confirmed a very bleak outlook on the job market in Italy, especially for architects. There are 18,000 architects in Italy, he said, and there is no work for any of them, himself included. One of the reasons for this is the terrible economy. Even in a good economy, architects are paid about 50% of what an architect in the U.S. would make. In a deep recession like the one Italy is in now, the situation is even worse. Politicians, Tom says, are the only ones making a decent wage—that’s corruption for you. Another problem for architects is that the commissions that do exist are not going to architects. Rather, they are being taken by the “giometre,” which are engineers, construction workers, and others who bypassed getting a degree to go straight into the workforce. Their work is cheaper and sometimes more practical than hiring an architect because architects tend to be more idealistic, while the giometre focus on getting a project done as quickly and efficiently as possible.

As far as the steps to getting a job as an architect in Italy, the process is similar to that of the US. The Master’s program is typically 5 years, like many programs in the states. However, it very often takes students much longer than that to actually complete their education—as much as 10-15 years or more, he says. One of the problems, as we’ve discussed in class, is that tuition is free, so there is no incentive for students to leave school quickly. Also, the job market is so poor, that students would rather stay in school than begin trying to find jobs. For many architects fresh out of accruing their degree, their only option for getting a job is an unpaid internship, like mine. Even after having been in the job force for a while, finding a paid internship or job is very difficult, especially one that is enjoyable. He said that there are typically two choices for new architects: 1. Work for a great firm or a famous architect for free or very little money or 2. Get paid working for a firm that does boring, monotonous work.

Because the pay is so low, most architects in Italy still live at home to cut back on living expenses. Their parents will give them shelter, food, and support if they need it. Nowadays, with such a lack of work for architects in Italy, many invent their own work, says Tom. He, for example, is teaching and helping a non-profit organization that works on historical restoration and preservation. Rome, in particular, does not need many new buildings; what it needs is a means of preserving its historical treasures and sustaining that for the future. Other firms, like AKA Architects, often go outside of Italy to places like Germany, France and Spain, to find commissions. Not only commissions, but also people are being driven out of Italy as a result of the work situation. The “brain drain” is a huge problem, according to Tom. All the best architects are leaving to find work that will pay a decent enough wage for them to survive. However, the same people being driven away are also some of the only ones who can help to improve the situation in Italy. Architects who are sticking it out, like Tom, are desperate to keep as many of them in the country as possible.

One major difference between architecture firms in Italy versus in the U.S. is that US firms tend to be much more systematic. In America, once a plan is drafted, construction will follow that plan, and no more designing will take place. In Italy, rather than the construction following the plans, the plans are constantly changing to match the construction. Although this makes for somewhat disorganized projects, it also allows for more creative license, flexibility, and opportunity. If an idea arises as the construction is taking place, there aren’t usually many qualms with making the change. There is also a much closer and friendlier relationship between designer and construction worker, which in the US is very distant and sometimes hostile.

Discrimination is also very real in the architecture profession. Both women and non-Italians are discriminated against. Although the situation is much improved from what it was just twenty years ago, opportunities are by no means equal. There are many successful women a part of or even leading architecture firms in Italy today, but being recognized as a successful architect as a women is still much more difficult than for men. There is also a huge preference for native Italian architects. Connections are key for Italian architects. If one has a family member or friend already in a successful architecture firm, getting a job is almost easy. Even very skilled and successful architects who have no ties whatsoever, will be turned away from a good commission.

It’s not easy to hear that a profession I love so much is suffering so greatly in Italy, the birthplace of great architecture. The optimist in me wants to believe that this can change, that with enough people willing to risk everything to make this country a better place, they will succeed. My experience so far has certainly proved to me that architecture is worthwhile and definitely a profession that I want to pursue, but predicting the future is impossible, and it seems that the road towards better prospects will be a long and difficult one.