International Women’s Day

Andra Antone, architect

There are opportunities within this unprecedented gender equality movement that architectural culture is embracing.  As the faces of women start to fill the walls of leadership portraiture, can they open up so many opportunities and  alternative solutions?  It has never seemed more urgent in the global context that we find other ways of solving problems.  Offering recognition to the ones once rendered invisible to history offers us access to ways of thinking differently.

Philosopher Isabelle Stengers offers a powerful argument in her essay about geneticist Barbara McClintock, exploring the fact that McClintock was a woman, a Nobel prize winning scientist and considered “an incomprehensible nut case by most of her colleagues”.  Her persona was integral to her discoveries. But is gender relevant?  Being born and raised in a different part of the world has shown me first hand the ways sexism, racism and violence can divide and suppress.  I am grateful to the architectural profession, the people I have met in the process, and how I have come to appreciate the world differently.  I think discussion is not about making us more comfortable with issues around gender, it is about creating a better society, encouraging potential, seeking alternative practices and finding different solutions.

Evy Vreven, project coordinator

I’ve been called a ‘bloody independent woman’, ironically enough by a rather uncommitted man.  In the heat of the argument he was probably looking for something more along the lines of ‘stubborn’ – 100 percent agreed.

I could never take the ‘independent’ label as an insult, but rather as a massive compliment.  It is exactly what I’ve been raised to be and counts as a victory for my mum, whose independence was a lot harder fought than mine.  Fifty years ago, my grandmothers could have only dreamed of the liberties of the life I lead now (and probably take for granted).

This relatively recently gained independence has opened up all sorts of possibilities to find direction in life and means no one else can be held accountable or credited for your mistakes and successes along the way.

The women in my life, past and present, lift me up, make me laugh until I cry, give me new perspectives and listen without judgement.  I will mark the day to say thanks to those fellow bloody independent women, whether at work, at home or in heart.

Adriana Oliveros Blanco, senior landscape architect

Every time International Women’s Day comes around, it brings back memories of my university time back in Colombia.  This was when a simple gesture of a former classmate acknowledging the presence of female classmates felt, at the time (1996), a step forward in recognising equality when young girls were pursuing a career in the construction industry.  Upon my graduation, I was still living in Colombia and fortunately met and worked with a leading South American landscape architect, Diana Wiesner.  She influenced my choice to focus my skills in landscape architecture and, since then, every decision, workplace and people I have met have valued and recognised the presence of women working in the landscape architecture industry.  Nevertheless, there have been occasions when I must raise my voice and make myself heard.

Nowadays, words like perseverance, determination and self discipline are always in my mind if I want to achieve something.  On occasion, stepping out of your comfort zone brings new windows where you can prove and reaffirm yourself, consolidate and pass on the knowledge to inspire the next generation of females.

Next time you are sitting in a meeting, let’s count how many women there are… fortunately, this number is changing gradually.

Elly Williams, associate

I was very lucky growing up – fortunate to have parents who believed I could do anything, who told me so, and who wouldn’t let me settle for less.  Not everyone is that lucky.

My wife and I met an amazing young woman at the weekend (while judging a 24 hour hackathon back at the university where we met).  Despite very little sleep, she was very excited to meet us – two women with careers.  Having been told her career choices were ‘housewife or marry rich’, she decided that wasn’t for her and was getting on with forging her own path.

When we think about women role models, there is often an assumption that they need to be perfect and that we could never measure up.  But more often there is value enough in just being ourselves and simply being honest about the journeys we have taken to get where we are.  Not everyone is lucky enough to grow up with the support and belief to do anything – those of us who are already following our dreams perhaps have a responsibility to show what is possible.

Alexandra Blaylock, architect

Coming from a background of an all girls school, where we all left with a pretty empowered view on equality, it had never really crossed our minds that, in the twenty first century, we would ever face any challenges based on gender moving into our professional careers.

I think I have been very lucky in that, for me, inequality has been rare.  Although there are still occasional challenging moments, usually on site, these are becoming fewer and advice on handling these situations has come from both men and women.  It does feel like the landscape of the construction industry is changing for the better, although slower than other industries.

It is important to find inspirational people you can empathise with.  For me, one person who was particularly inspiring and relatable happened to be the female managing director at a practice I worked at in London.  She was incredibly calm natured and kind, even in the most difficult situations, yet remained savvy whilst running a successful business.