International Women’s Day (IWD), celebrated on March 8, is an annual occasion to honour the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women worldwide, while advocating for gender equity. Since its inception in 1911, IWD has grown into a global movement, encouraging efforts towards equality.
For INTBAU, this day holds particular significance as we celebrate the contributions of women in traditional building, architecture, and urbanism. Read on to discover inspiring stories of impact from our women members and learn how INTBAU is supporting a more inclusive future for women in this field.
Across industries and cultures, IWD is an opportunity to reflect on progress made, acknowledge ongoing challenges, and advocate for a more inclusive future. By recognising the achievements of women in our field, we not only celebrate their contributions but also inspire future generations to challenge outdated perceptions and stereotypes.
Although many societies have moved away from the idea that certain industries should be ‘dominated by men,’ the building industry still faces significant gender imbalances. Women remain underrepresented, particularly in leadership roles, and continue to face biases—both conscious and unconscious—that affect career progression.
Harriet Wennberg, INTBAU’s Executive Director, highlights a positive shift:
“We are still a long way from an equal number of women and men in built environment professions. However, looking at enrolment on our education programmes shows that change is coming. Across the network we are reaching and teaching so many more students and aspiring professionals now than in previous years – and a record number of these students are women.”
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Women at INTBAU: stories of impact
INTBAU is a network where women are increasingly showcasing their talent and taking on leadership roles, shaping the future of traditional building and architecture.
From ground-breaking research to hands-on craftsmanship and design, our female Professional Members have made significant contributions to preserving and advancing traditional building practices. At the same time, many INTBAU national chapters are now led by women, reflecting the growing presence of women in key leadership roles within both our organisation and the industry.
Harriet Wennberg proudly highlights two examples of the Network’s support for women’s talent: ‘The INTBAU Young Practitioners group includes incredibly talented craftswomen. In 2022, we organised a live build of a bamboo structure designed by Yasmeen Lari, involving female architecture students from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the UK. There was nothing this group couldn’t (and wouldn’t) do!’
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In 2023, INTBAU launched the first edition of our Grassroots Grants Programme to support projects that use traditional building to address local challenges. One of our first grantees, Masons Ink, received funding for their project to help women masons develop the skills and leadership needed to succeed in a male-dominated industry. Read our interview with Masons Ink.
International Women’s Day: stories of women shaping the built environment
Below, we invite you to explore the inspiring stories of some remarkable women in the INTBAU Network. Their experiences and contributions are not only shaping the future of architecture, traditional building, and urbanism, but also driving meaningful change in the industry.
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Tiffany Abernathy, Architect, Member of the INTBAU College of Practitioners, and INTBAU Trustee
Tiffany Abernathy, an architect from the US, reflects on the profound impact women have had on traditional building, architecture, and urbanism. She highlights the inspiring work of figures like Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, Yasmeen Lari, and Carmen Añón Feliú, who continue to empower younger generations through their leadership and teaching. For Tiffany, the essence of their influence goes beyond titles or accolades. It is found in their courage, humility, and unwavering commitment to culture, community, and sustainability. Their approach to leadership is intuitive, holistic, and deeply connected to both humanity and nature. Their legacy is one of care, resilience, and responsibility toward the world.
As she navigates her own journey, Tiffany acknowledges the challenges women face in the field, but she views these as profound teachers, offering opportunities for growth, transformation, and awareness. She believes that overcoming inequity requires resilience, but also compassion—both for oneself and for others who may be facing their own struggles. For Tiffany, true strength lies in embracing understanding over resistance and grace over contention, fostering inner peace to rise above adversity.
Tiffany’s advice for young women considering a career in architecture comes from a recent public Q&A, where she shared a powerful phrase from Lama Yeshe’s book on Buddhist psychology: ‘Make Your Mind an Ocean.’ This reminder encourages expansiveness, patience, and depth in both life and work. She believes that women have a unique ability to balance insight, empathy, and strength, and urges young women to remain open to learning, trust their wisdom, and let their work reflect their deepest values. Architecture, she says, is not just about building spaces—it’s about shaping experiences, communities, and futures.
Reflecting on her own achievements, Tiffany takes great pride in maintaining a beginner’s mindset—a practice that brings joy, curiosity, and deeper engagement with both people and place. This mindset has allowed her to continue growing alongside the communities she serves. Recently, she was honoured as Women Lead 2025 by the Notre Dame School of Architecture, a recognition not only of her personal contributions but also of the collective work of many women in the field.
Margot Drayson, Network and Projects Manager, INTBAU
As INTBAU’s Network and Projects Manager, Margot understands what it takes to work in an international organisation that drives meaningful change. Her advice to women aspiring to enter this field is simple but powerful: believe in the change you want to make. ‘You have to truly believe in the organisation’s mission,’ she explains. ‘That mission will be at the heart of everything you do, from daily tasks to long-term projects, and you need to be motivated by it.’
Margot also emphasises the importance of an open mind. Working across cultures means encountering diverse perspectives that may challenge the way you think. ‘Working across cultures means encountering diverse perspectives that may challenge the way you think. Be excited to listen, question, and exchange views,’ she advises. ‘You will most likely learn something new.’
As a woman in a leadership role, Margot has seen firsthand how change happens at different scales. ‘What seems like a small step to some can be life-changing for others,’ she reflects. She also highlights the importance of teamwork: ‘The people around you will shape your ability to drive change. Collaboration, support, and shared effort will push you further than you expect, so build and nurture those connections.’
Her final piece of advice? Don’t wait for the ‘perfect moment’ to act. ‘The first conversation, the first step—you can take them anytime. There’s no such thing as good or bad timing when it comes to making a difference.’
Nadia Samir, Chair of INTBAU Mexico
Nadia Samir has witnessed first-hand the growing presence of women in architecture—not only in numbers but in influence. Today, women have a voice, a vote, and the recognition they deserve. They are leaders in their regions, championing traditional architecture and urbanism while driving innovative solutions for both society and the environment. But the journey has not been easy.
Nadia has faced rejection—not just as a woman, but because of her skin colour and cultural background. She has encountered challenges, moments of doubt, and times when her voice was overlooked. ‘At first, I felt frustration. I struggled. I stepped back,’ she reflects. ‘But I realised that every challenge became an opportunity to find strength and reaffirm my purpose.’ Instead of being discouraged, she emerged more determined—confident in her abilities and the work she strives to do. ‘Difficult moments have only reinforced my belief that perseverance, integrity, and a commitment to good work will always move us forward.’
For Nadia, architecture is a profession full of challenges; its difficulty varies depending on the place where it is practiced and the people one is surrounded by. Yet every obstacle faced is part of the journey, and every second dedicated to architecture and urban design is worthwhile. But Nadia also sees architecture as the most beautiful of arts—one that seamlessly blends the abstract with the tangible. It encompasses everything: sculpture, drawing, painting, craftsmanship, construction, engineering, mathematics, politics, and community. ‘When something feels difficult, we must turn our focus back to our purpose and push forward with strength, developing thoughtful, responsible, and sustainable solutions to create better communities.’
When she decided to pursue a master’s degree, Nadia was accepted into several prestigious universities. However, upon receiving an offer from the University of Notre Dame—renowned for its teaching of classical architecture and urbanism—she knew that was the right path. There, she focused on mastering the fundamental principles of design. She explored volumes, geometries, and shapes, sometimes challenging conventional academic perspectives. But she remained committed to her vision, producing a final project that was both rigorous in its research and bold in its execution. Her urban proposal for Cuauhnahuac was later presented to the city of Cuernavaca, and today, she continues working with community members to raise funds for its development.
Currently, Nadia works at the renowned traditional architecture firm Fairfax & Sammons in Florida, collaborating with some of the most respected architects in the field. She also co-leads INTBAU Mexico alongside a dedicated group of volunteers, organizing initiatives that promote traditional architecture across Mexico and Latin America. Through her work, she continues to advocate for architecture that is not only beautiful but also meaningful, sustainable, and rooted in cultural heritage.
Minty Sainsbury, INTBAU Young Practitioner
For Minty, being part of a recent talk series with the ICAA, INTBAU, and The King’s Foundation was a particularly meaningful experience. The series brought together design practitioners, scholars, and educators, fostering conversations that explored the intersections of tradition, creativity, and expertise. Alongside Safoura Zahedi and Sara Bega, Minty took turns interviewing and being interviewed in a three-part dialogue.
‘This was a really empowering opportunity,’ she reflects. ‘I loved learning about the backgrounds, career paths, and challenges overcome by these two inspiring women.’ The conversations, live-streamed and now available on the ICAA website, served as a platform to amplify women’s voices in traditional architecture and art. Minty hopes that young women watching will feel encouraged—seeing three women speak with passion and confidence about their expertise in a historically male-dominated field.
Beyond architecture, one of Minty’s proudest achievements is having her artwork selected for the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition 2024. Held annually since 1769, the RA Summer Exhibition is the world’s oldest open submission exhibition, attracting over 16,500 entries each year. ‘It felt like a real achievement to have my work hanging on the walls of such a prestigious gallery, alongside artists like Tracey Emin, Richard Serra, and Anselm Kiefer.’
Yet, this moment of success was hard-won. For nine years, Minty submitted her work to the exhibition—only to be met with rejection each time. Finally breaking through was not just a professional milestone but a personal reminder of the power of perseverance. ‘Rejection is just part of the journey toward achievement,’ she says.
To young women considering a career in traditional building, architecture, or urbanism, Minty offers simple but powerful advice: embrace your passion and let it guide you. ‘Build a supportive network of people who share your love for art and architecture. This is something I value more and more as the years go by. I utterly cherish my community of fellow artists and architects, and I know our bond and appreciation for one another will only grow stronger.’
Most importantly, she reminds women that there is no single correct career path. ‘Carve your own way, celebrate other people’s successes, and follow your enthusiasm. That’s what will sustain you in this field.’
Marjo Uotila, Chair of INTBAU Finland
Marjo Uotila, architect and Chair of INTBAU Finland, is a leading advocate for sustainable and traditional architecture. She played a key role in restoring Helsinki’s Huopalahti train station and proposed a new wooden building designed to blend seamlessly with the historic structures while lasting for centuries.
As the founder of Architectural Uprising and INTBAU Finland, Uotila challenges unsustainable mainstream building practices. She has gained national recognition, including an appearance on Huomenta Suomi with musician Liisa Akimof, where they discussed the importance of beauty, sustainability, and tradition in architecture.
Her work continues to push for a built environment that respects the past while ensuring a lasting future.
Mieke Bosse, former Chair of INTBAU Netherlands
Being a woman in architecture and building practice is not always an easy journey. Designing is one thing, but bringing a project to life can sometimes feel like an impossible challenge. And yet—it happens!
For women starting out in this career, there will be moments when you encounter discouragement, sometimes from those who doubt your place in the field. But through all the obstacles—whether frustrating, absurd, or difficult—nothing compares to the moment when your vision becomes reality.
Walk through the streets and squares that once existed only on your paper, now shaping people’s daily lives and bringing joy to communities. That is an achievement no one can take away from you.
Nadia Everard, Chair of INTBAU Belgium, and INTBAU Young Practitioner
My take on women’s architecture
Nadia Everard
It sometimes seems to me that the feminist struggle boils down to simply counting the number of women in a given sector. Let’s take an example. If, in the near future, 50% of company management positions were held by women, we would agree that this would be a great victory against economic patriarchy. ‘So much the better’, would chorus the feminists. But at the risk of sounding like a pessimist, I ask: for what result?
For what results? If tomorrow women were to take over the reins of the economy and repeat the same attitudes as their male predecessors – attitudes of predation, cut-throat competition, hostile takeovers, financial disruption – would this really be a cause for pride for women?
The “feminisation of professions” cannot simply be a matter of “replacing male staff’, it must involve a transformation of the professions themselves. Similarly, the arrival of women in architecture will only be good news if their presence brings about a real and profound change in architecture itself. Zaha Hadid became the muse of a generation simply because she was a woman, but what’s the point if her architecture perpetuates the brutality, arrogance and despotism that are the hallmarks of the modern movement?
The modern movement was largely built on masculine, even masculinist, foundations. We are all familiar with Le Corbusier’s poetic ramblings about the “virile dignity” of the modern style or the virilism of engineers, prophets announcing the new world of technology, the world of the “impeccable straight line” and of industry, the death of the street and of “dwelling units of conforming size”. Rest assured, I don’t intend to enter into psychoanalytical considerations about the real or supposed “phallism” of the architecture of Le Corbusier or others; I will simply point out that the modern movement was born in the minds of narcissistic and despotic men, immodest enough to believe that they were going to solve all urban problems by the sheer force of their imagination, backed by the new unlimited potential of industry.
In the face of this modern architecture, which I have no hesitation in describing as “virile”, what could be a feminine response? It seems to me that an element of the answer can be found in the writings of Jane Jacobs, activist and author of The Death and Life of Great American Cities, which criticises the urban planning policies of the 1950s. Unlike Le Corbusier, who contemplated the city from the dizzy heights of the “regulating plan” without ever getting to grips with the day-to-day reality of city dwellers, J. Jacobs takes up residence in the street, approaching the city as a pedestrian going about his daily business. From her vantage point at ground level, she witnesses the apparent chaos of city life – the confusion of passers-by, the clatter of cars, the hustle and bustle of shops, the anarchy of sheets drying on balconies… – and realises that it is precisely from within this motley jumble of people and activities that a truly effective “urban order” emerges, all the more effective because it is not imposed from above but is produced from below, by the spontaneous movement of life.
The city, she understands, is organic; forcing it to adopt the rigid straitjacket of functional zoning is the surest way to make it die; forcing inhabitants to live in high-rise buildings or residential parks is unnatural and will only produce misery, dissatisfaction and ugliness. The lesson I draw from J. Jacobs is that architecture should leave people as free as possible. Perfect order does not fall from the heights of a genius mind, however masculine, nor can it be imposed in an abstract way: it springs from the very bowels of the city.
Patricia Glanville, member of INTBAU College of Practitioners
Patricia Glanville, an architect from Canada, shares her perspective on the significant role women play in traditional building, architecture, and urbanism. She believes that women have always made an impact in these fields, driven by a deep awareness of the legacy we leave for future generations. For Patricia, the act of preserving and respecting unique traditional cultures and the natural environment is crucial, especially in a world marked by increasing instability. She stresses the importance of teaching younger generations these values, as it ensures they will be supported in their future endeavors.
Throughout her career, Patricia has faced several challenges, particularly in dealing with supervisors or regulators who are not professionals in the field yet exert authority in overbearing ways. However, her endurance, conviction, and unwavering commitment to excellence have helped her overcome these obstacles. She remains dedicated to maintaining high standards and ensuring that her work aligns with principles of propriety and professionalism. Another challenge she has encountered is convincing people of the value of beautifully and elegantly designed traditional buildings. There’s often resistance to new designs in traditional and classical styles, with critics labelling them as unoriginal or overly beautiful. In the realm of conservation, she notes that deferred maintenance often leads to deterioration, making restoration financially unfeasible. To overcome this, Patricia has focused on educating people about the lasting benefits of beauty and elegance in design. She believes that new designs, when rooted in regional historical contexts, and the conservation of historical structures, are not only beneficial for the community but also make long-term economic and environmental sense.
Patricia’s message to young women considering a career in traditional building, architecture, or urbanism is to seek out excellent educators and mentors who are respectful, experienced, and passionate about teaching timeless planning principles and traditional crafts. These figures can offer invaluable guidance and support, helping young women navigate the complexities of the field while encouraging them to uphold the tenets of tradition.
Among her many achievements, Patricia is particularly proud of her doctoral research on the effect of architecture, spaces, and places on well-being and spirituality. This research has shaped her approach to both conservation and new design, reflecting a deeply personal interest in the intersection of architecture and human experience. Her work has been further enriched by the inspiration drawn from her peers at the King’s Foundation and her involvement with the creation of INTBAU, which continues to drive her commitment to the field.
