This first issue of Amplifier collects the heroic efforts of young architects to ignite a revolution during their spare hours. The author of the attempt is 18Oktoberdam, a temporary collective of young architects who met in December 2011 in an attic apartment somewhere in the West of Rotterdam.
Most of them were working for low salaries, despite, they claimed, their talent and dedication. They were, and still are, determined to change things. 18Oktoberdam organized an online survey to gather information on working conditions in the field of Architecture. The result (170+ entries) is a showcase of individuals who have struggled to find a way in a mutating market. Their stories come as a wake-up call to all workers in the field. The hierarchical organization of the traditional office is economically unsustainable when faced with reality. The urgency for renewal is undeniable and the social situation as a whole seems to be ready