“Women are systematically omitted from architecture”

The lack of progress for women in architecture today is a multi-faceted problem with no easy solutions. This negative situation is exacerbated by a long term code of silence that envelops the field, where women are systematically omitted, casually overlooked, not taken seriously, paid less money and essentially left out of the the architectural dialogue. We feel that it is time to reverse this trend and involve women in the conversation.

Toward that end, ​we have launched a petition to request the inclusion of Doriana Fuksas, a recognised partner and director of the Studio Fuksas, as an equal recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award given to Massimiliano Fuksas by INARCH Istituto Nazionale di Architettura based in Rome, Italy. 

RebelArchitette a​nd VOW Architects has, over time, tenaciously created a multi-faceted platform to amplify women’s voices in the field.​ ​

VOW Architects​ was f​ounded in 2018 with the Voices of Women Architects Flash Mob​ in the Giardini on the Opening Days of the Venice Biennale. VOW comes five years after​ ​Voices from Venice​, which interviewed many of the same women — Caroline Bos, Louise Braverman, Odile Decq, Yasmin Shariff, and Benedetta Tagliabue — to learn about their perspectives and where they are in the range of architecture. 

Recently VOW Architects established a productive collaboration with activists​ ​Rebel​Architette​, creators of a site of 365 superb women architects located all over the world who are readily available for lectures, panels, and media exposure. We believe that with these and other platforms we will continue to bring women out of the shadows to take their rightful place in the profession. 

The Campaign for Doriana Fuksas is a pivotal step along our path. Recognising her equal stature shines a light on the necessity for inclusion in architecture. Today with the Internet and social media, all that occurs locally also has global impacts. Addressing each and every omission or unjust action is critical.

We say it is ​time for equality #timefor50, are you ready to join us? 

Francesca Perani, Louise Braverman and Caroline James are part of the Voices of Women (VOW) and RebelArchitette collectives, which initiated the petition to see Doriana Fuksas recognised equally with her partner Massimiliano in the INARCH award. 
The petition now has over 450 signatures, including Doriana and Massimiliano Fuksas, Denise Scott Brown, Bjarke Ingels, Beatrice Galilee, Rem Koolhaas and Odile Decq.