Influential Female Architects in Architecture & Construction
This week (the first full week in March), we celebrate Women in Construction - a celebration dedicated to appreciating and highlighting the female contribution to the construction and architecture industry. Throughout history, we have seen a disproportionate amount of male vs female architects. However, we are seeing an increasing amount of women in our field and we are excited by this!
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports in 2019, 25% of the 208,000 people working as Architects, in the United States were women compared to 36% of Lawyers and 41% of Physicians and Surgeons. There is still work to do, but we have noticed progress within our industry.
The Female Contribution to the Construction & Architecture Industry
Throughout history, female architects have contributed largely to the construction and architecture industry. Women offer a unique perspective and offer their strengths to improve interior and exterior design, client and team communication, environmental consciousness, ideas, innovations, and organizational strengths that the community lacked.
Impactful Female Architects in History
Louise Bethune, the First Female Architect in the USA
Top: Louise Bethune, Norma Merrick Sklarek
Bottom: Emily Roebling, Neri Oxman
We would be remiss to not mention Louise Bethune first. Bethune was the first woman architect in the United States of America, and the first to open her own architecture firm. She opened her firm in 1881.
Norma Merrick Sklarek, the First Female African American Architect in the USA
More than fifty years later (1954), Norma Merrick Sklarek became the first licensed African American architect and the first member of the American Institute of Architects. Some of her great works included City Hall in San Bernardino, California, and Fox Plaza in San Francisco.
Emily Roebling, a Chief Designer of the Brooklyn Bridge
Emily Roebling was a large contributor to the development of the Brooklyn Bridge. After her husband had fallen ill, Roebling took the reigns and played a large role in the completion and design of the Brooklyn Bridge.
Neri Oxman, Inventor of Material Ecology
Neri Oxmam was an Israeli-born architect who coined the term, “material ecology”. Her studies of material ecology gave way to increased innovations, combining computational design, biology, and digital creations.
If you are looking for more examples of influential women in the process, Checkout this article by Architizer. This article examines a list of 50 exceptional and influential women architects and industry leaders who are changing the face of our profession!
Meet studioTechne’s Influential Female Architects!
At studioTechne, we value female architects in construction and emphasize the need for more women in the workplace. Throughout the years, we have seen many changes in the positive direction. Women are finally getting more respect, opportunity, and equality. Although we’re moving in the right direction, there’s still more work to be done, especially when it comes to the construction industry.
Hear from the women of studioTechne and read our blog about Women in Construction!