f eminist r eview
https://doi.org/10.1177/0141778919879766
Feminist Review
Issue 123, 106–125
© 2019 The Author(s)
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DOI: 10.1177/0141778919879766
www.feministreview.com
new divisions of digital
labour in architecture
Nicole Gardner
abstract
As architecture intersects with computer science to engage with large-scale data sets and informational systems,
this demands new skills, competencies and commitments. Informed by the findings of an online survey, this article
explores how, who and to what extent those in the profession of architecture are investing in technology knowledge
and skills, and under what material conditions this occurs. Survey data collected from five large-scale architecture
practices in Sydney, Australia finds that while technology-related skills are highly valued in the profession, more
men than women are engaging with computationally intensive software and technology skills building remains
a largely unstructured and often self-directed enterprise. Drawing on feminist technology studies and digital
labour perspectives, it is argued that the drive to computationalise the profession of architecture rests heavily
on discretionary, aspirational and invisible labour practices that disadvantage employees with lesser reserves
of economic and social capital, and particularly women. This further contributes to revealing neo-liberalism’s
influence on the concrete practices of the architecture workplace and highlights how the diminished structural role
of employers breeds uneven opportunities and inequitable working conditions.
keywords
computational design; architecture; digital labour; gender and technology; design research; technofeminism
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