In this episode of Redlines, we delve into a captivating story of one architect's struggle to defend her intellectual property and creative work. Maya, a rising talent in the design world, shares a harrowing tale of a mentor-like figure who exploited her unique methods and teachings, using them for their own gain without permission or credit.

As Maya navigates the complex legal waters, she confronts not only the blatant theft of her ideas but also the emotional turmoil of broken trust and self-doubt. Her journey sheds light on the often-overlooked issues of ownership, attribution, and the delicate balance between sharing knowledge and protecting one's own craft.

Through Maya's experience, listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the importance of safeguarding one's intellectual property, even within the seemingly collaborative environment of the architecture profession. This episode serves as a wake-up call, urging architects and designers to become more aware of their rights and the potential pitfalls that can arise when creative work is misused or appropriated without consent.

Join us as we unpack the nuances of this dramatic story and explore the broader implications for the design community. Redlines once again gives voice to the rarely discussed challenges that plague the industry, offering valuable insights and strategies for navigating these murky waters.

5 key takeaways:

1. How an architect's unique teaching methods and workshop content can be exploited by a trusted mentor without permission or credit
2. The emotional toll and internal struggle faced in deciding whether to assert your rights, including feelings of guilt, shame, and self-doubt
3. The legal complexities around intellectual property rights, copyright, and ownership in the architecture/design field that many practitioners are unaware of
4. The proactive measures the an architect's firm can take to protect their intellectual property when working with clients
5. The effort to raise awareness and inspire others in the design community to speak up about similar challenges of creative work being misappropriated

Quotes

“I think the main thing that I want to gain from this episode is to raise awareness because a lot of creatives and a lot of architects don't really know, or they're not aware about their rights over their own work."

“ So there was all this negativity that was kind of building up and that kind of broke my veneer of trust that I had in him, otherwise I would have never Googled. That's when I got to know that,, it's been going on for years, putting his name on it."

"I think it was really important to understand these certain nuanced rights. And I learned that from first doing my own research that steps that are usually taken. First you need to reach out to this person because you have a relationship with them and they're your contact and you want to talk to them in a very positive way."

Relevant Links:

• Copyright for Academics in the Digital Age: https://www.aaup.org/article/copyright-academics-digital-age
• Understanding copyright protection for architects: https://www.aia.org/resource-center/understanding-copyright-protection-architects
• Out of Architecture website: https://www.outofarchitecture.com
• Information on becoming an Out of Architecture Patreon supporter: https://www.patreon.com/outofarchitecture

If you have resources to share that you think may be helpful to what was discussed in this episode, please email us at: redlines@outofarchitecture.com

A warning for our listeners, in this episode we discuss sexual misconduct in the workplace and uncomfortable scenarios in a professional setting. We want you to know this in advance, and please take care when listening to this episode.

In this episode of Redlines, Jake and Erin speak with Lara (name changed for confidentiality), an international architecture student who shares her deeply challenging journey to practice architecture in the United States.

Laura recounts the bureaucratic hurdles, lack of university support, exploitation, and visa struggles she faced despite her dedication and hard work. Her story shines a light on the systemic barriers and abuses that isolate many international architects.

Despite doing everything right - researching programs, securing internships, and excelling academically - Laura hit roadblock after roadblock. The university created extra visa requirements beyond government rules, provided no clear answers, and seemed more interested in extracting tuition fees than supporting students.

Then, at her first job, Laura experienced sexual misconduct from a partner but felt unable to report it for fear of jeopardizing her visa status. The numerous visa deadlines and lotteries added tremendous stress.

After years of perseverance, Laura was forced to make a difficult decision during the pandemic before she was finally able to restart her career.

Top 5 Takeaways:

• International architecture students face immense systemic barriers and exploitation when trying to practice in the U.S.
• Universities often provide inadequate support and may create extra bureaucratic visa hurdles to extend tuition payments.
• Visa requirements and lotteries create persistent stress and instability for international architects.
• Fear of losing visa status makes international architects more vulnerable to misconduct and abuse.
• The U.S. immigration system fails to retain talented, hardworking international architects.

Quotes:

“I remember it's very late at night and the team wanted to grab a drink. This partner offered to drive me home, and I could not even come up with enough excuses to deter their advances until one of my coworkers jumped in and be like, okay, let's go. Our Uber is here. And I have never felt so utterly helpless where I am reliant on the pity of others to be saved."

"I remember getting that email and it was essentially, you're great. We did like your work. However, we have projects, somebody needs to work on it. And as much as we empathize and understand your situation, our hands are tied as well."

Relevant Links:

• Equal Rights Guide: https://www.equalrights.org/issue/economic-workplace-equality/sexual-harassment/
• RAINN 24/7 Helpline for Sexual Assault: https://www.rainn.org/resources
• Curricular Practical Training Information: https://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/CurricularPracticalTraining.pdf
• Out of Architecture website: https://www.outofarchitecture.com
• Information on becoming an Out of Architecture Patreon supporter: https://www.patreon.com/outofarchitecture

If you have resources to share that you think may be helpful to what was discussed in this episode, please email us at: redlines@outofarchitecture.com

K* opens up about his experiences entering the architecture profession after serving in the military.

K shares with hosts Jake and Erin about his background growing up in a low-income family and joining the Marines to pay for college. After deploying overseas, K left the military to pursue architecture.

However, the transition from the military hierarchy to architecture school was challenging, as was finding a job after graduation. K shares stories of working for firms that undervalued his experience and exploited entry-level employees.

Ultimately, K hopes sharing his perspective will validate others who have struggled and empower them to improve their situations.

*Not his real name

5 Key Takeaways:

1. The transition from the military to architecture school can be difficult due to the difference in culture and hierarchies.
2. Early career architects are often undervalued and exploited by firms that take advantage of entry-level employees.
3. Speaking up about unreasonable demands as a student or employee requires confidence and tact.
4. Changing firms may provide some relief but doesn't always address core issues around control and compensation.
5. Surrounding yourself with supportive mentors and continually developing confidence and communication skills is important for career growth.

Episode Quote:

"I really hope that everybody listening at first feels validated. Like I have been in the other podcasts I've listened to, and even getting this platform that these things are weird, odd at best, and downright discriminatory or abusive."

Notable Quotes:

"I went through the school of hard knocks as a kid. I went to the school of hard knocks as a Marine. I went to the school of hard knocks as a student, and then I gave myself a couple years in architecture to be able to stand and speak from a point of knowledge."

"It doesn't have to be this way. If you're a young person, be very clear with your boundaries. Don't sell yourself short and give into the ethos of putting in the long hours."

Conclusion:

• K's story highlights the need for the architecture profession to adapt to diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• The discussion opens up avenues for improving the support system for both employees and sub-contractors in architecture.

Relevant Links:

• AIA Code of Ethics: https://www.aia.org/about-aia/professional-standards
• Out of Architecture website: https://www.outofarchitecture.com
• Information on becoming an Out of Architecture Patreon supporter: https://www.patreon.com/outofarchitecture

If you have resources to share that you think may be helpful to what was discussed in this episode, please email us at: redlines@outofarchitecture.com