Breaking the Bias in the Built Environment Industry

To celebrate International Women’s Day and the theme #breakthebias, we asked four female colleagues across the practice some questions about the challenges and gender-biased attitudes they have faced in the built environment industry, as well as their thoughts on how the industry could improve to achieve equality. Here’s what they had to say!

Ellie Godfrey

Position: Senior Landscape Architect
Studio: London
Years at Gillespies: 5.5 years

What is your take on the state of women in the built environment industry today?
The balance of the genders is slowly improving however the built environment is still a male-dominated space which, as a young woman within this, can be quite intimidating. Landscape architecture is much more balanced with roughly an equal split – something refreshing!

What challenges remain for women in the industry?
The biggest challenge I have faced in the industry is being heard and taken seriously by my male counterparts within my wider design teams. I have been spoken down to and patronised on many occasions, even within project team meetings which seemed to be accepted. It’s sad to say but it seems that women need to work twice as hard to be respected within the built environment.

How do you think the profession can change to encourage equality?
Having more women in management positions would go a long way to set examples and demonstrate the contribution as professionals they can give. Visibility is key!

Would you encourage your younger self to pursue a career in landscape architecture/urban design or landscape planning?
Yes! The realms of landscape architecture, urban design and landscape planning from my experience differ greatly from the wider build environment. I see women in all job grades although as you work up the ladder the balance tends to follow males however there is some female presence. We can always do more however landscape seems to be ahead of the rest.

Which female architect or designer do you admire and why?
I think my inspiration would come from my female lecturers at Sheffield University. The tutors for my final year master's project were both female and ‘heavy weights’ in their own fields of work, something subconsciously I feel I was seeking. It was inspiring to see working mothers succeeding within the landscape industry – something that needs to be promoted!

Kara Heald

Position: Principal Landscape Architect
Studio: Leeds
Years at Gillespies: 3 years

What is your take on the state of women in the built environment industry today?
It has been wonderful to see Jane Findlay take such a strong leadership role as the Landscape Institute’s President over the last year, and the visibility of women in leadership positions in our profession is increasing. I am currently reading ‘Do It Like a Woman’ by Caroline Criado-Perez who recognises that ‘To have female role models, in senior positions, has a significant impact on the team environment from a female perspective. There is a greater sense of inclusion, and often more accessible and relatable role models. The more female leaders there are, the more comfortable the workplace and the world will become for women’.

What challenges remain for women in the industry?
In the last few years, I have still experienced walking into a meeting room for multidisciplinary projects and being the only female at the table. At Gillespies, and in the wider industry, we need to support our female professionals to have full confidence in taking that seat at the table. Criado-Perez notes 'One day, we will live in a world where the sex of your manager... makes no difference to your performance or self-belief. But until that day comes, female leaders will continue to have a dramatic impact on the way the rest of us lead our lives'.

How do you think the profession can change to encourage equality?
I recognise in the UK how lucky those of us in the landscape profession are to be well educated and have equal footing between female and male professionals in so many ways, however, I think the increase of women in leadership roles is a key part of increasing female visibility and achieving parity in the profession.

Would you encourage your younger self to pursue a career in landscape architecture/urban design or landscape planning?
Absolutely, and I would say have faith in yourself to be confident in situations where you may be the only female in the room; your ideas, experience, and intelligence are all equally valid to the next person.

Which female architect or designer do you admire and why?
As a graduate, my first line manager was Samantha Oxley, now in the position of Board Director for Landscape Planning with LUC. Having such a positive formative experience with a female role model in the profession was invaluable and I admire how Sam has progressed to one of the most senior roles in her company.

Alison Baxter

Position: Principal Landscape Architect
Studio: Oxford
Years at Gillespies: 9 years

What is your take on the state of women in the built environment industry today?
The industry has moved on a long way and offices are now almost 50/50, but I still see most of the directors and partnership levels still being mostly led by men, particularly in established architecture or engineering firms. We need more women in decision making and management roles. Certainly more women in engineering and construction on-site roles.

What challenges remain for women in the industry?
Stereotypically believed to be not as strong as men to carry out physical labour roles. Poor advertising and representation for these roles at college/ school level. A key challenge within the industry is an expectation for women to go on maternity leave and look after children. Equal pay and promotion within. Couple this with maternity leave, women generally are forced to stay at home as their salaries are lower than their partners so financially no benefit for the women to continue working.

How do you think the profession can change to encourage equality?
Encourage shared maternity paternity approach. Equal pay and levels for experience within companies- standardise levels further. Further representation of skilled labour courses/ apprenticeships and degree level courses. Opportunities for work experience and financial benefits for underprivileged who show an interest to get the required experience and get a foot in the door. Major firms should work more within schools or universities even within the private sector to show representation and encourage a diverse intake.

Would you encourage your younger self to pursue a career in landscape architecture/urban design or landscape planning?
I would, it has been such a rewarding career so far especially when we are able to travel and the projects we are able to work on. However, I would have also focused more on horticulture/ botany aspects to further planting research and knowledge.

Which female architect or designer do you admire and why?
I admire Di Lucas the director of Lucas Associates Limited. Registered NZILA, Landscape Architect, and life member of NZILA (2020). Her diversity and knowledge are exemplary within the profession. She is a key voice for the local community Iwi (Maori Society) and government agencies. She spends a huge amount of her personal time creating proposals for the conservation and restoration of native lands and practices. She is a botanist as well as an LA and uses her scientific background to drive better farming practices by reducing GHG (greenhouse gases), freshwater quality, indigenous biodiversity, sustainable management plans that recognise cultural and natural values and through a complex scientific approach develops better land-use practises and researches alternative markets. She is always publishing new concepts and is the first to highlight when we can do better! We worked together 11 years ago and she first taught me how to review landscape scientifically and work with the land, especially in earthquake environs. We established an international conference bringing the best designs for earthquake lightweight structure designs for the community in Christchurch. I am always learning from her and believe she is driving the profession forward into a more sustainable climate-driven position.

Sheena Bell

Position: Associate Partner
Studio: Oxford
Years at Gillespies: 20 years

What is your take on the state of women in the built environment industry today?
I think it has improved since I joined- it is encouraging to see more women at a senior level generally, but this is still lacking in private sector landscape and architectural practice, mostly due to the hours required. If we look at Gillespies for example by grade - it starts off pretty balanced but swings to being male-dominated by the time you get to partner level.

What challenges remain for women in the industry?
The built environment industry is still male-dominated particularly at a senior level- networking in a room dominated by men is harder for women unless you swot up on football and cricket!

How do you think the profession can change to encourage equality?
Encourage men to take paternity leave, and part-time working reduced hours to manage child care and other caring commitments e.g. for elderly parents- the expectation is that it is the women that will do this and flat-line their career in the meantime- the more equally it is shared the more equality we will achieve. We can encourage equality by mentoring and supporting women in management roles to progress their careers- I frequently find women doubting in self-confidence compared to male colleagues. A team that brings a balance of gender and background to the table is better at solving the complex issues we face.

Would you encourage your younger self to pursue a career in landscape architecture/urban design or landscape planning?
Yes

Which female architect or designer do you admire and why?
I am not really sure- it used to be Zaha Hadid then she died but now I don’t think there are many female designers with big profiles which says it all. I admire my female clients in leadership roles. The work of Alison Brooks is excellent and I think Jane Findlay is doing a good job as President of the LI.