In a field long dominated by men, the contributions of female architects have often been overlooked or undervalued. From Oscar Niemeyer's curved masterpieces in Brazil to Jane and Mary Parminter's 16-sided cottage in Devon, England, women have made significant strides in shaping modern architecture. The Royal Institute of British Architects' recent report highlights stark displays of sexism pushing women out of the profession, stalling their progress, or deterring them from entering it altogether.
The lack of female representation in architecture is not a new issue, but it persists. Even renowned architects like Frank Lloyd Wright and Le Corbusier have been criticized for their treatment of women employees. The story of Eileen Gray's iconic E-1027 house, which fell into disrepair after being vandalized by Le Corbusier, serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by female architects.
The report also reveals a 16% gender gap in pay and unequal working hours, with many women facing unsociable hours and pervasive power imbalances. The fact that just six women have won the Pritzker Prize in its history is a stark reminder of the industry's lack of diversity.
However, there are signs of change. Liz Diller's work has been praised for its community-focused approach, while Kazuyo Sejima's designs mirror the moods of their natural surroundings. The work of Mariam Issoufou, who uses sustainable materials and resources to produce handsome libraries and housing estates, is also noteworthy.
The industry is slowly beginning to recognize the value of women's contributions, with more women studying architecture at university and entering the profession. The report highlights the importance of teamwork, better dialogue with clients, and considerations of inclusivity – all areas where women can bring unique perspectives.
As the industry continues to evolve, it is essential that we acknowledge the achievements of female architects and prioritize their contributions. By doing so, we can create a more inclusive and diverse profession that reflects the lived experiences of half of the human population. The time has come for architecture to build on the progress made by women like Norma Merrick Sklarek and her fellow trailblazers, and to foster a culture shift that values teamwork, inclusivity, and diversity.
The lack of female representation in architecture is not a new issue, but it persists. Even renowned architects like Frank Lloyd Wright and Le Corbusier have been criticized for their treatment of women employees. The story of Eileen Gray's iconic E-1027 house, which fell into disrepair after being vandalized by Le Corbusier, serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by female architects.
The report also reveals a 16% gender gap in pay and unequal working hours, with many women facing unsociable hours and pervasive power imbalances. The fact that just six women have won the Pritzker Prize in its history is a stark reminder of the industry's lack of diversity.
However, there are signs of change. Liz Diller's work has been praised for its community-focused approach, while Kazuyo Sejima's designs mirror the moods of their natural surroundings. The work of Mariam Issoufou, who uses sustainable materials and resources to produce handsome libraries and housing estates, is also noteworthy.
The industry is slowly beginning to recognize the value of women's contributions, with more women studying architecture at university and entering the profession. The report highlights the importance of teamwork, better dialogue with clients, and considerations of inclusivity – all areas where women can bring unique perspectives.
As the industry continues to evolve, it is essential that we acknowledge the achievements of female architects and prioritize their contributions. By doing so, we can create a more inclusive and diverse profession that reflects the lived experiences of half of the human population. The time has come for architecture to build on the progress made by women like Norma Merrick Sklarek and her fellow trailblazers, and to foster a culture shift that values teamwork, inclusivity, and diversity.
its so frustrating when u think bout all the hard work womens put into their designs & yet they get undervalued like lol what even iz da point of havin a strong female presence if they cant even get same pay as guys its been goin on 4eva & im tired of it lol u gotta feel fer dem girlz who r tryna make a name 4 themselves in this industry 
. We need to do better, period 
. And I love seeing more women like Liz Diller and Kazuyo Sejima making waves with their community-focused designs and sustainable approaches 
. It's time for the industry to catch up and prioritize inclusivity, diversity, and teamwork.
. i mean, think about it, 16% pay gap is still insane 
. and the fact that just six women have won the Pritzker Prize in its history is a major red flag 
. but at the same time, i love seeing more women entering the profession and bringing their own unique perspectives to the table 
. liz diller's community-focused work is a great example of this 
. we need more women like her who are changing the game 
. and it's not just about the recognition, its about creating a culture shift that values inclusivity and diversity 
. lets keep pushing for change until all architects, regardless of gender, can thrive in their careers 
it's kinda weird how people used to think men were the only ones who could do 'creative' jobs...now we're just starting to acknowledge the impact women had on architecture 
i mean, eileen gray's story is wild - who knew she designed this iconic house? and yeah, the pay gap is a major issue 
but it's also cool to see that more women are getting into the field and bringing their own perspectives 
like liz diller's community-focused approach is really inspiring
. The stats on pay gap and working hours are just not cool 
. But at the same time, you gotta give it up for women like Liz Diller and Mariam Issoufou who are crushing it with their community-focused designs 
. And it's awesome to see more women entering the profession 
. We need more diversity in architecture, period 
. It's not just about paying attention to women's contributions, but also creating a culture shift that values inclusivity and teamwork 
. But, I gotta say, there are some amazing female architects out there doing amazing things like Liz Diller and Kazuyo Sejima 
. We need more women in architecture, period 
. The industry needs to shift its culture and prioritize inclusivity and diversity - it's not just a matter of equality, it's about creating something truly amazing and reflective of our world 
. And the pay gap and working hours? Unacceptable 
! It's time for a culture shift that prioritizes inclusivity, diversity, and teamwork - let's make it happen 
It feels like we're just scratching the surface here. I'm not saying it's all doom and gloom, but let's be real, we've got a long way to go before we can say we're truly inclusive and diverse in this field. 