KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) has called on the architecture industry to break away from its entrenched long-hours culture, warning that mental health and burnout are increasingly affecting professionals, particularly younger practitioners.
PAM president Dexter Koh Yew Peng said the traditional “long-hours” approach is unsustainable and could compromise the quality of architectural projects.
“Mental health and burnout are significant concerns that we must address openly,” he told Scoop.
“Architecture requires immense precision, and an exhausted architect working unreasonable hours is a risk to project quality,” Dexter added.
He said PAM’s advocacy for realistic professional fees and improved project management is aimed not only at enhancing working conditions, but also at ensuring safer and better-designed buildings for the public.
“When we advocate for realistic fees and better project management, we are advocating for safer, better-designed buildings for the end-user,” he explained.
Dexter also called for a shift towards value-based productivity, urging firms to measure performance by outcomes rather than office hours.
He emphasised that healthier work cultures depend on stronger mentorship and support systems, especially for young architects navigating the demanding licensure process.
“We need to ensure young professionals feel supported through the gruelling licensure process and have the flexibility to maintain a life outside the studio,” he said.
The issues raised echo findings from a Universiti Sains Malaysia study, Building a Better Work-Life Balance in the Construction Industry: Insights and Recommendations from a Developing Country’s Megaproject, authored by Mohd Ashraf Mohd Fateh, Mohd Nizam Daut, Mohd Sofiyan Sulaiman, and Cheng Siew Goh.
The study noted that long hours, physically demanding work, and tight deadlines continue to disrupt work-life balance in construction, with many employees logging 50 to 60 hours weekly. Fatigue often affects both personal and family life.
“In addition, construction projects often have tight deadlines and physically demanding labour, leaving employees fatigued and exhausted at the end of the day, with little energy for personal activities. This can lead to physical and mental exhaustion, making it difficult for employees to maintain a healthy work-life balance,” the study said.
It further highlighted that poor work-life balance contributes to stress, burnout, lower productivity, and strained relationships, with workers frequently neglecting self-care and leisure due to workplace pressures.
The research also pointed out that Malaysia ranks among the worst countries globally for work-life balance. According to the Remote Technology Index 2024, employees work an average of 40.8 hours weekly, with factors such as organisational culture and constant connectivity contributing to overtime.
“Malaysia scored the lowest among Asian countries surveyed, behind the likes of Taiwan (16th), Singapore (19th), Thailand (33rd), the Philippines (36th) and Indonesia (51st),” the study said. – May 16, 2026