People! at Work: A Workshop by NAA!

Workshop, 8 April 2025, 10:00–16:30.

The workshop’s focus will be on exploring labour in terms of workers, tools and space. By documenting labour on a construction site, engaging in conversation, and analysing findings, participants will critically examine the often-overlooked role of workers in shaping the built environment. That way, we will critically engage with labour in architecture, fostering a cross-disciplinary dialogue and positioning labour rights as a key element of climate action. By combining photography, discussion, and direct engagement, we aim to break down social barriers, build solidarity between architects, students, and workers, and challenge the industry's complacency regarding labor and environmental justice.

We will start at VI PER with a brief introduction. We will then visit a construction site for hands-on documentation and engagement before returning to discuss our findings in relation to labour and its conditions.

Collaboration with LINA fellows

Netherlands Angry Architects (NAA!) was launched in 2022 with the support of the Dutch Trade Union Federation (FNV) and Failed Architecture. It operates using a ‘workers’ inquiry’ approach, incorporating public ‘workers-only’ meetings, on-the-spot advice, reports, explainers and live discussions, aiming to improve labour conditions of architectural workers in the Netherlands and beyond. Previously focused on the Dutch labour market, NAA! is expanding its reach to build cross national solidarity. Together with The Architecture Lobby from the U.S. and other groups from Europe they are working on a new campaign called ‘Work To Rule’ inspiring architecture workers to stay within their labour obligations and refuse overtime. Follow us to find out more and learn how you can engage your community or your coworkers in a global action against exploitation within architecture.