As yesterday was World Architecture Day, we thought it was the perfect time to share a project we’ve been quietly working on behind the scenes.
A while back, we invited some of our team members to take part in a roundtable discussion focused on women in architecture. The conversation sparked some powerful discussions — one theme that really struck a chord was how we can better encourage the next generation of women to join the industry. We talked about the importance of visible role models, supportive mentors, and breaking down the barriers that can often discourage young women from pursuing careers in architecture and design.
After digging a little deeper, we came across some statistics published by STEM Women in 2023, based on the latest government census figures. While progress is being made, the numbers show that women currently make up only 26% of the STEM workforce. It’s clear there’s still work to do to inspire more women to study STEM subjects, transition into professional roles, and ultimately become the future leaders of these industries.
One of our Architectural Technologists, Rebecca, who is also a Guide Leader outside of work, noticed something interesting — there’s no official architecture badge for Guides. So, we decided to do something about it.
While the badge hasn’t yet been officially adopted, the process has been a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness, spark curiosity, and give young girls a hands-on experience with some of the skills and creativity that make architecture such an exciting career path.
Rebecca’s unit have already had a go at the badge, completing a number of the tasks — and it’s been brilliant to see how they’ve embraced the challenges with smiles on their faces. From surveying and redesigning their unit facilities to trying out new creative ideas, their enthusiasm has been inspiring.
‘Watching how the girls embraced the different challenges within the badge was inspiring as it gave them an insight into a potential career within the architecture industry. The girls enjoyed learning about the different jobs descriptions that are out there and it made them think about the different job potentials for their future.’ Rebecca Laing, Architectural Technologist AT
Fingers crossed that small steps like these will continue to encourage young girls to explore the world of architecture and design.
