Continuing our celebration of Women in Construction Week 2023, today we hear from Partner and Architects Hayley Poynter Fenning, Partner and Architect Sarah Primarolo, and Architectural and Interior Designer Sarah Young, listening to their perspectives of being a woman in the construction industry.
How did you get into Design?
- HPF: Through university, I was always passionate about art and design but wanted a career ‘path’ that suited this. Architecture seemed a good fit! I love it.
- SY:My grandparents took me on a tour of the ‘Cathedrals of the North’ when I was 14. I couldn’t understand how these hugely intricate and vast buildings were made especially in their respective time periods. As a very confident youth I had to ask every tour guide I could find for the secret. Their answers sparked my interest in design and structure and I’ve never been able to look at buildings the same.
Has anything changed since you started out?
- SP: More women in the room in meetings, though still a lack of women contracts managers and site managers.
- HPF: There used to only be 4 technical women at P&P. The management was all male. But I don’t feel like we’ve been held back for any opportunities and have progressed well as a company with now majority female management.
- SY: Although still very early into my design carer I’ve been witnessing a switch to focusing more on creating a humancentric approach to design with sustainability at the forefront. Designing not only for those that will actually use the space, but also for the world around us.
Challenges you face as a woman?
- SP: Marketing events are still very male dominated, it’s a sea of suits for some events.
- HPF: There are never any toilets on site that aren’t locked or being used as storage.
- HPF: There are other challenges / perceptions as an industry – how many women are still in admin roles and not men? So we have to think from both sides.
- SP: Potentially not being able to go places on your own, dangerous locations are still unsafe particularly for women which is a national issue, not just relevant to this industry. Sadly you still have to keep yourself safe until attitudes change.
- SY: Fortunately I have not witnessed any challenges due to my gender within my design career although I know this was not always the case.
Highlights?
- HPF: Having more women around in the industry, P&P female management lead and finding balance in all areas. There are definitely more female graduates now, in all disciplines, as we see from CVs etc,
- SY: Being able to design a purpose-built SEN unit to help fulfil Wandsworth’s council obligation to the growing SEN needs of the community. Visiting site upon competition and seeing the happy faces of the children using the base was incredibly rewarding.
Advice for women wanting to start a career in the construction industry?
- HPF & SP: Never be afraid to ask questions. This is the same advice for anyone in the industry, not just women. There are still some companies that are very male dominated where women may face discrimination, but if these companies won’t change, don’t stay in those companies, and then the companies who support diversity and equal opportunities will thrive.
- SY:Ask questions! And don’t be scared to get stuck in.