Special Women in Architecture

Special Women in Architecture

March 8, International Women's Day, is increasingly remembered as a date to talk and think about gender equality. The date was made official by the UN (United Nations) in 1975, but has been celebrated since the early 20th century in allusion to the struggle for equality of women who worked in factories in some countries in Europe and the United States.

and to celebrate this month dedicated to women we have prepared a special about women in architecture, highlighting four professionals considered important in the history of architecture for their works and professional trajectory.

Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara

The architects and teachers of the Grafton Architects were the winners of the Pritzker award. In 41 years of awards, this is the second time only women have the title. Before them, only Zaha Hadid had been awarded Pritzker in 2004. On the other two occasions architects were contemplated - Carmen Pige , in 2017; and Kazuyo Sejima in 2010 -they shared the honor with their partners, men.

According to the award jury, Farrell and McNamara are "pioneering in a field traditionally dominated by men", considering them headlights for other women as they develop their professional trajectory in an exemplary way.

"Architecture is not only design, sophistication and fulfillment, but also how it makes you feel strange" (McNamara in an interview for the newspaper O Globo)

Zaha Hadid

Zaha Hadid is considered the most prominent woman in the history of architecture, and was the first architect to receive the Pritzker Award in 2004.

In her work the architect was interested in the mix between architecture, landscape and geology, using innovative technologies, which often resulted in unexpected and dynamic architectural form.

Iraqi architect was also the first woman to be recognized by the Royal Institute of British architects. In receiving the gold medal, Zaha Hadid spoke one of her most famous phrases in defense of women in architecture.

"Nowadays we see all the time more established architects. But that doesn't mean it's easy. Sometimes challenges are immense. There has been a tremendous change in recent years and we will continue with this progress" (Zaha Hadid in receiving the Gold Medal by the Royal Institute of British Architects)

Lina Bo Bardi

Lina Bo Bardi was born in Rome, a city where she lived several years and attended architecture college. Nevertheless, it was in Brazil that she exercised most of her professional life, becoming Brazilian naturalizing. Lina also explored other fields besides architecture and urbanism. She was a teacher, writer, graphic designer, jewelry and furniture, magazine editor, cameraman, costume designer and curator.

She used a lot of culture in her works, as did melancholy feelings and revolutionary and political impulses, joined anthropology with architecture. Lina believed that a space was something lived and not just numbers and plants.