Women in architecture and construction

Introduction

Architecture has been led and shaped by men for a long time, making it one of the most male-dominated fields in history, even before architecture was officially recognized as a field in its own right. At the same time, women have also played a significant role in the development of these professions over time. From early changes to modern developments, women have designed and constructed outstanding buildings, developed new methods, and contributed to engineering innovations and project management. This article explores the historical and contemporary impact of women in architecture and construction, highlighting their contributions, challenges and changes in the industry.

Early contributions (before 19th century)

Women contributed to the built environment before gaining wider access to the architectural profession. Historical interpretations of Lady Elizabeth Wilbraham’s architectural role differ, so designs attributed to her should not be presented as undisputed authorship.

The 19th and early 20th centuries: Breaking through barriers

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, women began to receive official recognition for their work. Ethel Charles became the first woman to be admitted to the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in 1898, paving the way for women to enter the field of architecture. However, he was still restricted and could only design small residential buildings. Julia Morgan, the first female architect to obtain an official license in California, became known worldwide for her earthquake-resistant buildings, including Hearst Castle. His training at UC Berkeley and the École des Beaux-Arts provided him with the technical knowledge and foundation to achieve architectural excellence. Meanwhile, Emily Warren Roebling played a key role in the completion of the Brooklyn Bridge, after her husband, the chief engineer, fell ill, she took over the technical direction and supervision of the works.

Mid-20th century: Growing presence

Norma Merrick Sklarek was among the pioneering Black women architects in the United States. Her professional career and leadership illustrate significant achievement despite the institutional barriers of her time.

From the end of the 20th century to the present: Growing opportunities

From the end of the 20th century, more and more women entered the architecture and construction professions, taking a leading role in the management of major projects and companies. SANAA co-founder Kazuyo Sejima is famous for his futuristic and minimalist designs, such as the Rolex Learning Centre. Tatiana Bilbao uses local materials in her community-based and sustainable architectural designs. Odile Decq integrates bold, futuristic ideas with state-of-the-art technology, for example in the Museum of Contemporary Art in Rome. Zaha Hadid, the first woman to win the Pritzker Prize (2004), revolutionized architecture with her radical parametric designs for buildings such as the Guangzhou Opera House and the Heydar Aliyev Center.

Contemporary women in architecture and construction

Women occupying leading positions in the field of architecture and construction have appeared in increasing numbers in recent years. Aušra Vankevičiūtė's example shows the power of perseverance: as a young woman, she drives innovation and adaptability in the industry as CEO of Staticus, one of the largest facade engineering companies in Northern Europe. After leading Staticus Norge AS for seven years, where tenacity and optimism defined his management style, he was promoted to Group CEO in 2019. Under his management, the company developed from a small Lithuanian window manufacturer into a leading international facade construction company, reaching an annual turnover of 100 million euros. It has implemented major projects such as Landspítali Kórház and launched the 2024-2027 strategy focused on selective growth, global partnerships and construction innovation.

The CEO of BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group), Sheela Søgaard, manages the commercial strategy of one of the world's most creative architecture companies while juggling being a mother and wife. He emphasizes that "work and private life are an ecosystem - there is no separate work and home".

The founder of Studio Gang, Jeanne Gang, also incorporates urban development and sustainability aspects into the architecture. Chicago's Aqua Tower won the Emporis Skyscraper Award in 2009 and was a finalist for the Biennial International Highrise Award in 2010.

Annabelle Selldorf works as a cultural and historical reconstruction specialist, including the expansion of the Frick Collection in New York. Dean of the Yale School of Architecture, Deborah Berke, advocates contemporary and contextual design principles.

Emily Grandstaff-Rice, 2023 President of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), leads programs that encourage inclusivity and diversity in architecture. Carme Pigem, co-founder of RCR Arquitectes, received the Pritzker Prize in 2017 for the fusion of architectural design and the natural environment.

More and more women are achieving outstanding results in the construction industry as well. Katherine Torres leads large-scale infrastructure developments as a civil engineer and project manager. Kris Manning, Skanska's vice president of operations, oversees multi-million dollar construction projects. Lisa Wexler, president of Elaine Construction, integrates sustainability into construction practices.

The role of gender in architecture and construction

Architectural approaches are shaped by expertise, individual experience and project circumstances. Sensitivity to comfort or an interest in structure should not be presented as gender-determined traits.

Teams with varied experiences can bring a wider range of perspectives to design. Their value emerges through open collaboration and individual professional contributions.

Female architects also integrate social sustainability into their design. Eva Seo-Andersen, former BIG employee and founder of SpringWorks, provides sustainability and innovation advice to the public, private and philanthropic sectors. He led the project of The Twist Museum, which curves over the river like a bridge with a unique, twisted geometry. Dr. Gábor Toldy and his team also played a key role in the design, production and execution of the project's facade solutions. Each panel of the unique twisted section was modeled individually, requiring advanced analysis beyond the standard BIM framework.

Dr. Gábor Toldy, the former technical and operational director of Baumetall Design, led his team in the development and construction of the facade coverings, demonstrating his expertise in the field of innovative architectural solutions.

Together, these leadership philosophies result in fair and efficient decision-making processes. If you are interested in sustainability, check out UGREENS' three-day sustainability event:

Day 1: UGreen event

Day 2: UGreen event

Day 3: UGreen event

Conclusion

Equal professional opportunities and collaboration that welcomes varied experiences can benefit the whole industry. Work should be judged by its quality rather than gender stereotypes.