WHAT

A research project, a social campaign and the exhibition

WHY FAIR

→ Giving the voice to most underrepresented participants in architecture: the construction worker.
→ Collecting statistics about the gray area in labor within the construction industry.
→ Regarding exhibition design: approximately 80% consisted of items from rentals that can be reused.

The project was showcased at the 15th Venice Architecture Biennale and the Living the City Show in Berlin. Additionally, it was mentioned among others in The New York Times, Dezeen, and Archpaper.

DESCRIPTION

Why does the construction world feel so divided, like a tale of two helmets—white versus yellow? The Fair Building project steps into the scene, shedding light on the ethical challenges faced by one of architecture’s unsung heroes: the construction worker. In an industry where labor conditions, a lack of respect, and site accidents cast dark shadows on the global stage, these concerns often fade into the background amid the relentless march of deadlines, budget constraints, and the clamor for new spaces. The project poses a thought-provoking query: Why shouldn’t buildings bear the mark of fair trade?”

P.S. Well, that’s an incredibly important project for us because it inspired the idea behind our studio and undoubtedly gave it a name!

COLOPHON

curator: Dominika Janicka; collaborators:  Martyna Janicka, Michał Gdak (curatorial cooperation), Hardziej Studio (graphic design),  Joanna Waśko, Hanna Wróblewska (The Polish Pavilion commissioners/Zachęta National Gallery of Art); date: 2016 – 2021

The interviews for the project occurred between 2015 and 2016 and were further supplemented in 2020. Our endeavor led us to visit 34 construction sites across 8 Polish cities, engaging 124 construction workers from diverse specialties in the project.

Subsequently, we produced five documentary videos, each showcasing stories about construction workers. Every video concentrates on a specific aspect of the industry, highlighting work conditions and the distinctive characteristics of construction projects.

We were genuinely thrilled when our project was chosen to represent Poland at the 15th Venice Architecture Biennale. Alej firmly believes that construction sites serve as the frontline in architecture; they represent the tangible embodiment of any live project and, despite technological advancements, are primarily driven by manual labor.

Our project received significant recognition and acclaim. It was featured by The New York Times and Dezeen as one of the most captivating exhibitions at the Biennale. But, most importantly to us, it provided a platform where the voices of construction workers resonated during such a prestigious event.

We partitioned the Polish pavilion in the Giardini into two distinctive sections. The primary area featured an engaging modular scaffolding installation, establishing a direct and tangible connection to the world of construction. Simultaneously, we screened documentary videos, each highlighting essential aspects of the industry—shedding light on working conditions and the unique characteristics of construction projects.

The other segment of our exhibition resembled an investor’s showroom apartment, offering a formal exploration of the industry through infographics and an animated promotional video. Here, visitors delved into the industry’s quantitative dimensions, gaining insight into its inner workings.

In 2017, it was displayed in Kielce and Gdynia, Poland. During this time, we not only presented the project but also made progress on the foundation scheme eligible for the FB mark. Concurrently, we continued to gather narratives from workers, adding depth to our storytelling.

Moving to 2020 and 2021, the project was featured in the Living the City exhibition, hosted within the main hall of the former Berlin-Tempelhof Airport, extending the project’s reach and influence.