Increasing the visibility of women in architecture
Architecture+Women.NZ members at the Auckland launch of Making Space – A History of New Zealand Women in Architecture, with Massey University Press publisher Nicola Legat and editor Elizabeth Cox (on right).
A recent Architecture+Women.NZ team gathering.
As we recognise International Women’s Day on Wednesday 8 March, recently appointed Architecture+Women.NZ co-chair Gina Hochstein, together with colleagues Lindley Naismith and Megan Rule, look at how the organisation has celebrated and encouraged women in the profession since its launch in 2011.
Architecture+Women.NZ (A+W.NZ) is focused on supporting women in architecture in Aotearoa New Zealand, from students through all forms of practice, with the aim of increasing the visibility of women in the profession and encouraging their greater presence in leadership roles.
Awareness of women in architecture has increased in the last decade, yet the number of women in senior positions and those in charge of their own practices is still low.
How do we address this inequity? A+W.NZ has celebrated and encouraged women since its inception in 2011 – a priority of the organisation being to shine a light on the women within architecture who so often get missed. The great hope is for more women to be able to realise their potential in the profession, including as leads in their own architectural practices, while achieving greater recognition for the contribution they make.
Most recently, exciting new role models have been unearthed through A+W.NZ’s active support of important research, culminating in the 2022 groundbreaking publication Making Space – A History of New Zealand Women in Architecture, where the talents of over 300 women from early times have been illuminated by editor and historian Elizabeth Cox.
We would like to acknowledge the founders of A+W.NZ: Juliana Wilson, Lynda Simmons and Megan Rule for their particular contribution, foresight and commitment to the organisation. The inaugural Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects John Sutherland Practice Award 2022 was awarded to A+W.NZ in recognition of its “profound” contribution as a leading voice for equity in Architecture in Aotearoa over the last 12 years.
Once again, the triennial A+W.NZ Dulux Awards, established in 2014, this year offers the opportunity for Aotearoa to acknowledge some of our outstanding skilled women and to promote successful practice, in the field of architecture.
International Women’s Day is a day that A+W.NZ can be proud of – along with our own contribution, there is that of those who have gone before us as beacons in this male-dominated field. Our ambit is that we are women, we operate in the architectural realm, and we have strong ties with Aotearoa. We are an inclusive organisation that supports our members, champions their success and celebrates their excellence.
To celebrate International Women’s Day, Massey University Press is offering a special 20% discount on Making Space – A History of New Zealand Women in Architecture. You can order your copy here.
