to start a firm

cheers
Wed, 02 May 2007 22:06:00 +0000

First of all, you are correct, the best design positions are as rare as hen’s teeth in any firm. But danggit, la–if you are leaving the profession because you are not getting opportunities to design or learn about the design process–then you are precisely the prototypical female I’m talking about!!

Your experience is common to many female architects. They are assigned to what I call ‘admin’ tasks because women tend to be much better at organization (or not as clever about hiding that ability. Men are better at appearing dense when it comes to mundane tasks; ie a version of the game called “Honey!!?? Have you seen my _____???”).

I’d love to know if the female designers are working on projects that are ‘on par’ with the male designers–or if there are any lead female designers at your firm.

You might not believe me but you are misinformed about the lopsidedness. A good architect needs to have technical skills and creative ability in balance–especially a female architect who is expected to be twice as knowledgeable.

The first two decades of your own practice are taken up by the twin tasks of developing a highly fascile knowledge of construction (space and materials) and and increasingly daring manipulation of form, light and volume.

Why didn’t you try to open your own firm? You sound like you are more than ready to handle the design and construction of small projects. Have you tried telling everyone you are looking for your own projects?

You seem to be looking for that high design buzz–similar to the buzz you had in architecture school. I think the only place you are going to find that buzz is in your own firm–graphic or architecture.

It is advisable for architects to open up their own firms as soon as possible–but it is especially advisable for women who need to be their own bosses to:

a) Get opportunities to design
b) Have enough flexibility to raise a couple of children properly