Gender Equity in Architecture

The issue of gender balance within the architectural profession has received considerable coverage within the industry press in recent months. A review of 2011 Census data compares ‘Architects and Landscape Architects’ with equivalent professions and reveals that this group has the lowest proportion of women or ‘female share’ of similar occupations across all age groups. Another observation considers the change in proportion of ‘female share’ across age cohorts. Interestingly, Architects and Landscape Architects decline around 35% points and are second only to the legal profession, which has a 48% decline. Edmiston Jones is pleased to have achieved gender balance with the team of 12 equally represented by female and male members. The mix is particularly welcome as gender balance has been achieved without this being a specific goal.  Qualified and talented women have come forward in response to advertised positions or have simply ‘knocked on the door’ and we have taken the opportunity to employ good people when we can. It would be nice to think that the firm’s entrenched culture of work/life balance and a flexible approach to work hours has also attracted female professionals. It is also pleasing that these professionals are entering the office at a senior level with Dorelia Glasgow managing the office administration and Margie Rahmann adding her skills as an experienced Interior Architect. Emilia Markovic joins the Nowra office, as a recent Architectural Graduate and Sally Nelson will spend her ‘prac year’ in the Wollongong office. [gallery columns="4" ids="1055,1056,1057,1058"] In a profession that requires finely tuned communication skills, the balance that is provided by different perceptions is invaluable.  Our offices also enjoy a cultural diversity where, at times, all the world’s major continents have been represented in the firm!  This, together with the benefit of equal male and female perspectives, encourages a rich environment for discussion and creativity.