Women in Architecture

SALLY TSILLIYIANNIS, GAPP ARCHITECTS & URBAN DESIGNERS

After many years of experience (34 to be exact) working as lead designer on large-scale, highly complex buildings in urban areas, I have more recently discovered the joy of working on sustainable projects in remote, ecologically sensitive areas throughout Africa. Hot off the press is the new Singita Lodge in Rwanda. I guess I could say nature drew me to the profession. Although I couldn’t define it at the time, even as a small child, playing in our exotic garden in Malawi, I had an awareness of the architecture formed by trees and all other elements of the landscape.

Singita Boulders Lodge, Sally Tsilliyiannis, GAPP Architects & Urban Designers

WHO INSPIRES YOU?

As a student, Eileen Gray (designer of the iconic E.1027 House), a notable non-conformist, modernist and pioneer whose work was largely disregarded in a time when fields of design and architecture were totally dominated by male architects. I continue to refer to her radical approach in transforming traditional crafts in everyday practice.

WHAT UNIQUE CHALLENGES DO WOMEN ARCHITECTS FACE?

In the past, it was a battle to be taken seriously in the historically maledominated profession, but I always found my small size more of a problem than being a woman. My renowned assertiveness is probably the outcome of having had to work so hard to prove myself in the past. Today, all architects, regardless of gender, are required to pull rabbits out of hats on a regular basis.

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WOMEN BRING TO THE PROFESSION?

Mainly stoicism – the ability to hang in no matter what – to see all parts of the problem and work at it until all things are resolved to a successful and happy conclusion. I think women tend to “read the room” more effectively than men.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES ARE FOR THE PROFESSION IN TERMS OF GENDER TRANSFORMATION?

Since I started out as a young graduate, there have been remarkable changes in how women are perceived in the industry. While challenges remain around work/life balance and raising a family in a highly demanding profession, I expect this will change as traditional male/female roles evolve and men take over more responsibilities in the home.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUNG WOMEN STARTING OUT IN THE PROFESSION?

Knowledge is empowering. Make it your business to learn as much about everything as possible, as people show respect when you know more than they do. Behave with confidence – even when you feel out of your depth. Real confidence only comes with having knowledge. Be prepared to start early, to work late, and to meet unrealistic deadlines. Repeat. A sense of humour will always see you through tough times.

CLAIRE D’ADORANTE, PARAGON INTERFACE

Claire has nearly 20 years of experience in the interior design industry, working across multiple design environments in corporate workplace, retail, residential, healthcare and education sectors. She holds a BA Honours Degree from Greenside Design centre. She began her career in commercial interiors, then explored the world of retail and residential interiors but ultimately returned to her roots in commercial and workplace design. Claire worked for a large multi-disciplinary practice in Australia there for six years, returning to South Africa in 2012 in the role of director at Paragon Interface. She secured two of the largest fitout projects in the country – the new Head Office for Sasol and the new Discovery Campus.

Sasol Place, Claire D’Adorante, Paragon Interface

WHO INSPIRES YOU?

I am consistently inspired by the women I work with. They are all completely unique, strong and purposeful, and have an amazing sense of themselves. In terms of famous women, I find Patricia Urquiola’s design style and business acumen to be particularity inspiring.

WHAT UNIQUE CHALLENGES DO WOMEN ARCHITECTS FACE?

When I began my career, it was not unusual for me to be the only woman in a meeting or on site, and also being young at the time, I was often not taken seriously and often felt uncomfortable being on a site alone. In my personal experience, women in this industry have had to work harder to be recognised and have had to “toughen up” in order to be able to deal with what is sometimes a quite aggressive space.

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WOMEN BRING TO THE PROFESSION?

One needs to understand how space affects the people it serves, and in my opinion, woman bring a greater level of understanding through their inherent intuition to this part the process. They are also more detail-orientated. And it is generally much easier to work with women!

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES ARE FOR THE PROFESSION IN TERMS OF GENDER TRANSFORMATION?

I believe that in recent years it really has changed. The presence of women within all sectors of construction, both the professionals and on site, has notably increased. Women have always had a strong presence at Paragon. We currently employ more women than men and have a 50/50 split at director level. Perhaps that’s one of our advantages!

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUNG WOMEN STARTING OUT IN THE PROFESSION?

Just be yourself and trust in your unique skills. This is a wonderfully selfvalidating profession. For me, there is nothing more rewarding than to be able to create physical space that impacts others positively. Challenges will always arise, but these are part of life and only serve to make one stronger and more resilient.

RENSKE HALLER, dhk ARCHITECTS

Renske is managing director at dhk Architects and sits on the firm’s design review board. She joined the practice in 2006, was appointed a director in 2009 and took on the role of managing director in 2014. Renske studied at the University of Cape Town (UCT) and has worked in South Africa, the UK and the Netherlands where she also gained experience in urban design. Her experience lies in a range of projects at varying scales and complexities, from spatial development frameworks and master planning to individual buildings, public spaces and landscapes, including Norval Foundation and Delaire Graff Estate. Renske currently leads a team working on several private residences, boutique hotels, restaurants and galleries.

Norval Foundation, Renske Haller, dhk Architects

WHO INSPIRES YOU?

I have been following the work of Elizabeth Diller of Diller Scofidio + Renfro for the last few years and find her interdisciplinary approach in blending architecture with the visual and performing arts particularly inspiring. It was fantastic when TIME Magazine named her the world’s most influential architect last year as I do not believe the achievements of women in architecture are celebrated enough.

WHAT UNIQUE CHALLENGES DO WOMEN ARCHITECTS FACE?

By all accounts, the construction industry in South Africa remains a very male-dominated space, with women frequently citing experiencing prejudice, particularly when working on construction sites. I have experienced numerous challenges when leading projects on-site and have found that in the past I have had to work extremely hard to gain an equal level of respect and recognition as my male counterparts. I do, however, believe that the industry is slowly starting to transform.

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WOMEN BRING TO THE PROFESSION?

I believe that women bring balance to the profession.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES ARE FOR THE PROFESSION IN TERMS OF GENDER TRANSFORMATION?

More needs to be done to retain women in the profession and support them in building their careers. We are pleased to say that 51% of the architects and architectural technologists employed at dhk are women. We are geared towards equal pay and promotion and have entrenched progressive policies and systems which are aimed at supporting motherhood. We allow for family responsibilities, paid maternity leave, flexible working hours and accommodate family events wherever possible.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUNG WOMEN STARTING OUT IN THE PROFESSION?

Architecture can be a tough profession for any young person starting out but embrace it. Immerse yourself in architecture and design, be passionate about the projects you are involved in and enjoy your work.

LILA GOUWS, BOOGERTMAN + PARTNERS

Lila studied at the University of Pretoria and joined Boogertman + Partners in 2012, where she is a team leader focusing on design and conceptualisation. Her passions include smaller-scale educational architecture as well as residential and cultural projects. Last year, she presented her team’s concept design for Tatu City Education Village for Crawford International at the World Architecture Festival, where it had been shortlisted in the Education: Future Project category.

Tatu City Education Village for Crawford, Lila Gouws, Boogertman + Partners

WHO INSPIRES YOU?

My biggest inspiration is not an architect, she’s a furniture designer: Ray Eames. Design wasn’t a job for her, it was an absolute passion. That’s what I’m striving towards: Waking up in the morning and thinking, which aspect of architecture I want to enhance in my work today?

WHAT UNIQUE CHALLENGES DO WOMEN ARCHITECTS FACE?

I have just returned from maternity leave. For the first time, I’m realising that I cannot put in as many hours anymore. I cannot compete as hard as I used to. As a new mother, you have to leave work at a certain point; you have to come in a bit later. When we actually work normal hours every day in our industry, and stick to them, rather than long hours on short deadlines, it will be much easier for women. But at the moment, for a woman it is really difficult.

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WOMEN BRING TO THE PROFESSION?

There is that level of finesse in the way you interact with the building that’s more common in buildings designed by women: the smaller elements, like how you perceive space, how you touch things. Women architects seem to find it easier to put people at the centre of their designs, where the user experience and your interaction with the building is more important than the building itself.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES ARE FOR THE PROFESSION IN TERMS OF GENDER TRANSFORMATION?

Luckily, things are changing. Companies are trying to make it more comfortable for women. At Boogertman + Partners we’ve got a breastfeeding room, for example. If that becomes the norm, it would facilitate meaningful transformation.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUNG WOMEN STARTING OUT IN THE PROFESSION?

Architecture is really a wonderful industry if you have a passion for it, but you cannot do it if you see it as a job. For women specifically, I would say, the most important thing is self-confidence. You can say whatever you want, if you say it with confidence, people will believe in you and respect you. Confidence comes from knowing your projects very well. If you have an answer on the back of your hand for everything, then you can easily become the go-to person on any project regardless of your gender.

RIETTE KOTZE, BOOGERTMAN + PARTNERS

Riette studied architecture at the Tshwane University of Technology and graduated in 2003. She started working at Boogertman + Partners in 2008, and now holds the position of team manager on a design-orientated team, often working on retail layout concepts, warehouses, urban design and even boutique hotels. Recently, she has been involved in a number of projects in continental Africa, including a masterplan for a mixed-use development in Gaborone.

Concept design for a marina, Riette Kotze Boogertman + Partners

WHO INSPIRES YOU?

My idol at the moment is Gabriela Carrillo, a Mexican architect who won the Architects’ Journal Women in Architecture Award in 2017. She presented at the AZA conference in 2017, too. When she received the award, she questioned whether there should be an award for women architects. I find her very inspiring in terms how she approaches architecture as a woman trying to break the gender bias.

WHAT UNIQUE CHALLENGES DO WOMEN ARCHITECTS FACE?

The gender pay gap was a big issue. Until recently, women in some cases were paid less than the people reporting to them. At Boogertman + Partners that has been rectified. But there is still chauvinism in the built environment. I have been to meetings where men have physically turned their backs on the women consultants and had their own little meeting. I’m also a mother, and the demands of the SA built environment mean our deadlines are ridiculous. Sometimes you have 24 hours to complete a project or a plan or a concept, which places unfair pressure on women who are mothers.

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WOMEN BRING TO THE PROFESSION?

It sounds airy fairy, but I can almost see when a building has been designed by a woman. There’s a level of detail, and consideration… Maybe it’s cultural conditioning, but the importance of the architecture steps back, and the importance of the human experience comes to the fore. Also, I think women are very hard-working. Being a mother, when you’re at work, you focus on getting the job done.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES ARE FOR THE PROFESSION IN TERMS OF GENDER TRANSFORMATION?

In terms of society, paternity leave is important, too. In certain Scandinavian countries, parents have almost equal parental leave. Now that both parents have to bring in the money, it should be a 50/50 thing. Yes, men can’t breastfeed, but that’s no excuse not to do your part.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUNG WOMEN STARTING OUT IN THE PROFESSION?

Stop apologising. Have confidence. That doesn’t necessarily mean challenging a guy around every corner, but it does mean respectfully saying what you need to say, and carrying your message across. Don’t ever devalue yourself and your opinion as a woman.