Women architects debate future ways to work

The University of Sydney in collaboration with Parlour Inc will host a panel of four powerhouse women architects for a robust debate on changes needed in architecture to create a more equitable and sustainable profession in the future. The panel will be facilitated by Parlour editor and co-founder Justine Clark at University of Sydney's Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning, on Wednesday 5 August, and features Sydney architects Stephanie Smith (Lend Lease), Rachel Neeson (Neeson Murcutt Architects), Camilla Block (Durbach Block Jaggers) and Imogen Howe (Allen Jack+Cottier). Dr Naomi Stead, Parlour co-founder, said: "The architecture industry finds itself beleaguered in the current market - disempowered, marginalised, and subject to pressures that make it difficult for architects to stay afloat. "In this context, gender equity might seem like a minor concern. But we would argue the opposite. Making sure you have the best and brightest people in your workforce, fulfilling their full potential, is absolutely central to the sustainability and viability of the profession. More than this, a more diverse concept of who can be an architect and how they might practise is also key - demographic diversity is linked to diverse ways of practising, and that is crucial in the present, highly-stressed environment." All architecture graduates of the University of Sydney, the panel of speakers collectively has extensive experience working for large Australian and international architects, infrastructure companies and running their own practices over the last three decades.