Architecture is a male-dominated field, but that is changing. AN has long supported and promoted women in the profession by sharing their stories and featuring their work throughout our site.
From historical pioneers to contemporary leaders, these women are redefining the practice of architecture and transforming cities into equitable spaces. Their stories are here to inspire you.
The Human Body
The human body has long been a source of inspiration for architects. This is not limited to body parts resembling architectural forms but also the emotional and functional features that make up the human experience.
AN regularly publishes stories that highlight women in architecture to support a more inclusive and equitable field. The community benefits from having their perspectives and views represented, and teams that balance men and women are more creative and productive.
The Brain
The brain processes sensory perception and information from the five senses (sight, sound, smell, touch and taste). It also controls arm and leg movements and thoughts.
While architecture is a male-dominated field, women play vital roles in challenging and big projects. Gender equality in teams leads to greater creativity and more innovative solutions to design problems. Architects have much to learn from these women.
The Nervous System
The nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord and nerves that extend throughout the body. Cranial nerves relay sensory information to the brain and obey motor commands sent by the brain.
Neurons have specialized extensions called axons and dendrites that communicate electrical impulses, even across long distances. Each neuron has billions of these cells.
In a field where men dominate, women face challenges in getting the jobs they want. Research shows that bias often fuels conflict within groups.
The Muscular System
The muscular system includes all muscle tissue in the body. Skeletal muscles, which are attached to bones and can be consciously controlled, form lever systems that make it possible to walk, write, and kick a soccer ball.
Visceral muscle is found inside organs like the stomach, intestines, and blood vessels. It is weaker than skeletal muscle and has a uniform, smooth appearance under the microscope.
The Skeletal System
The skeleton is a structure that provides support and protection for the soft tissues of our body. It consists of 206 bones and ligaments.
Your bones give shape to your body, allow movement, protect organs, and store minerals like calcium. Bones are also living organs that produce red blood cells in the bone marrow.
A baby is born with 300 bones, which eventually fuse to form 206 adult bones. Most bones are long and take on distinct shapes. Some are flat and have unique plate-like structures, like the sternum and skull.
The Circulatory System
The vascular system (also called the circulatory system) is made up of the blood vessels that carry blood through the body. Arteries bring oxygen-rich blood to tissues and organs while veins transport tissue waste back to the heart.
Women in architecture play important roles on many of today’s biggest projects. Their work demonstrates that architects can thrive when they are supported by gender-equitable workplace policies.
The Digestive System
The digestive system breaks down food, absorbs nutrients and eliminates solid food waste. It begins with mechanical digestion, which involves the physical breakup of chunks of food into smaller pieces in the mouth and stomach.
While the architecture industry has come a long way, societal currents still seem to be bent on limiting women’s autonomy. AN highlights a few groups that aim to uplift women’s voices and contributions in the profession.
The Endocrine System
Hormones are signaling chemicals produced in glands and transported by the blood to distant target organs to regulate physiology and behavior. The endocrine system includes the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, islet cells of the pancreas, and the testes (male) and ovaries (female).
Various feedback mechanisms ensure that hormone levels never fluctuate outside preset limits. For example, in a short-loop negative feedback mechanism, pituitary hormones directly act back on the hypothalamus and inhibit further release.
The Respiratory System
The respiratory system transports oxygen and removes carbon dioxide from the body. It also protects the body from harmful particles that may be inhaled.
Air enters the body through the nose and mouth. The nasal cavity humidifies and warms the air, which then passes down a tube called the trachea. Rings of tough tissue called cartilage help keep this air-only passage open.
The Immune System
This system defends the body from a variety of germs such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. It includes the physical barriers that keep out bad things and special cells that attack them if they enter.
Antibodies bind to and inactivate harmful substances like toxins and pathogens. Cells called neutrophils, eosinophils, and macrophages engulf and digest pathogens. They also help kill germs and clear away dead ones.
