04-18-2013
Leaning In with Deborah Berke
Sketch c/o Carol Hsiung
I have a new hero--I have to tell you all about her, and why I am so smitten. She is Deborah Berke, who leads a 40+ person architectural firm, wins numerous awards for her design work, is part of a strong and supportive family, has a great sense of humor, knows how to totally own it, and is a woman, all at the same time. Perhaps Anne-Marie Slaughter should take note.
A few days ago I organized a meeting with Ms. Berke and ten women from our office as the beginnings of an ongoing forum for women to discuss architecture and design with the intention of creating design mentorships. I wanted to do this because, according to a 2012 AIA Survey, only 16% of the AIA's registered architects are women; no I didn't say sixty, I said sixteen percent.
Exploring Deborah Berke's gallery, c/o Miwa Fukui
As a woman architect, I find that number appalling, and wanted an opportunity to speak with a successful woman in my field to learn more about promoting women leadership in design. We had a great discussion that ran the gamut from when Deborah first fell in love with architecture, to her design of the Marianne Boesky Gallery/Residence in Chelsea, reviewing everything from the benefits of business partnerships to the current role of women designers.
At one point, someone raised the question of who traditionally works on plan design (I see more women), compared to who works more on exterior (perhaps more men, but who is counting?), to who are the real form makers, the architects who give buildings their souls? That last category seems to be more of a boys club. Are men typically more aggressive than women, forcing their ideas to be heard? Are they the ones sitting in on the meetings, having more opportunities to raise their voices? Are women simply too sheepish? I know that it isn't because women are any less capable than men.
So I ask, if you are a woman, what are you doing to be the one creating that napkin sketch? And to all those in more senior roles, what are you doing to make sure that the women in your firms are heard? Bringing women into positions of leadership takes more than just asking that individual to step up, we all need to.
As Sheryl Sandberg stated, "I wish I could just go tell all the young women I work with, all these fabulous women, 'Believe in yourself and negotiate for yourself. Own your own success.' I wish I could tell that to my daughter. But it's not that simple." She is right, a much larger discussion needs to be had, and we all need to participate. I am asking you this because 16% is just too low of a number for me to sit here quietly.
Image c/o Miwa Fukui
by Amity Kurt
A few days ago I organized a meeting with Ms. Berke and ten women from our office as the beginnings of an ongoing forum for women to discuss architecture and design with the intention of creating design mentorships. I wanted to do this because, according to a 2012 AIA Survey, only 16% of the AIA's registered architects are women; no I didn't say sixty, I said sixteen percent.
Exploring Deborah Berke's gallery, c/o Miwa FukuiAs a woman architect, I find that number appalling, and wanted an opportunity to speak with a successful woman in my field to learn more about promoting women leadership in design. We had a great discussion that ran the gamut from when Deborah first fell in love with architecture, to her design of the Marianne Boesky Gallery/Residence in Chelsea, reviewing everything from the benefits of business partnerships to the current role of women designers.
At one point, someone raised the question of who traditionally works on plan design (I see more women), compared to who works more on exterior (perhaps more men, but who is counting?), to who are the real form makers, the architects who give buildings their souls? That last category seems to be more of a boys club. Are men typically more aggressive than women, forcing their ideas to be heard? Are they the ones sitting in on the meetings, having more opportunities to raise their voices? Are women simply too sheepish? I know that it isn't because women are any less capable than men.
So I ask, if you are a woman, what are you doing to be the one creating that napkin sketch? And to all those in more senior roles, what are you doing to make sure that the women in your firms are heard? Bringing women into positions of leadership takes more than just asking that individual to step up, we all need to.
As Sheryl Sandberg stated, "I wish I could just go tell all the young women I work with, all these fabulous women, 'Believe in yourself and negotiate for yourself. Own your own success.' I wish I could tell that to my daughter. But it's not that simple." She is right, a much larger discussion needs to be had, and we all need to participate. I am asking you this because 16% is just too low of a number for me to sit here quietly.
Image c/o Miwa Fukuiby Amity Kurt