How to ‘embrace equity’ in the built environment

“Embrace equity” is the 2023 International Women’s Day campaign theme, which seeks to draw attention to the critical differences between equity and equality, and examine “why equal opportunities aren’t enough.”

“When we embrace equity, we embrace diversity, and we embrace inclusion,” the campaign states.

Ahead of International Women’s Day 2023 on 8 March, we asked a diverse group of women practitioners to share their insights on how architects create more inclusive environments.

Sophie Dyring, director of Schored Projects

This year, Schored Projects is celebrating 10 years of working in the inclusive and diverse social housing sector. Director Sophie Dyring says, “Inclusivity and diversity in the built environment doesn’t have a tangible look, but you know when it’s been achieved, at least in our public spaces, because people from every walk of life are utilizing and enjoying the space.

“That’s not to say that every aspect of the project relates to or is relevant to everyone; what it means is that women feel secure to walk through the project at night. It means First Nations people feel connected to the place. It means the LGBTIQ+ community feel safe and secure to be themselves. It means neurodiverse people can easily navigate the space. In short, inclusivity and diversity in the built environment is welcoming.

“Architects can foster diversity and inclusively in the build environment through representation. Through our post occupancy research for A Design Guide for Older Women’s Housing, it became clear that the voices of lived experience through the design stages of a project are critical in the success of a project for the future users/occupants. The project typology would guide the necessary representation, but at a minimum, all projects should include the voices of First Nations people, women and people from the LGBTIQ+ community.

“I recently read the term ‘experts by experience,’ and I think there is something in that approach. Architects must listen to these experts. They can participate on a smaller scale through specific focus-groups or on a larger scale through advisory boards and panels.”

Samantha Rich, graduate of architecture and adjunct lecturer at the Yuwaya Ngarra-li Institute of Global Development

“We need diversity in how we design because that’s what our communities look like,” says Samantha Rich, a Wiradjuri woman who is dedicated to embedding a First Nations worldview into the design of buildings and the broader built environment. “A cookie-cutter approach shouldn’t be implemented in any of our built environments. Often, we believe as designers that we know how to design well. But until the designers and the way we design involves a broad array of people, they will only support the people we see in our offices.

“Inclusivity is about a lot of things. It means being involved at all stages of a project; it’s about having a voice, and being in positions where decisions can be implemented meaningfully. As a woman, and as First Nations person, I am taught to fit into this world. Things like: be less emotional, be more passive, don’t be too angry, juggle two worlds.

“For me it is also about making sure that our qualities, experiences and characteristics as people are valued and not seen as burdens or problems to manage. The ability to be open about how we see and feel in the world and that perspective is not seen as a risk or negative. This to me is true inclusivity.”

Rich adds that built environment practitioners should embrace the “lived experience” of the people they are designing for and “allow the community to lead you [and] make the space adaptable and supportive to varying types of people.”

“Don’t make people bend or change to fit into spaces or environments.”

Simona Castricum, postdoctoral research fellow in architecture, musician and producer

“Architects have a unique place at the design table, working across many sectors and professional silos,” says Simona Castricum, whose PhD research explored gender nonconforming and queer spatial production in the city, in architecture and in public space. “Marginalized groups can benefit from advocacy across these sectors and silos to advocate for change that will enrich civic life.

“Architecture should always interrogate the administrative systems that exclude or cause harm to people in the built environment. We need radical practice to imagine the very futures that will alleviate some of the barriers people face in the built environment.”

Nicole Kalms, founding director of XYX Lab/Gender and Place

Nicole Kalms, who leads a team of researchers exploring gender-sensitive design practices, says there is still much to be done to achieve true inclusion.

“It is the everyday commitment, accountability and advocacy that will move everyone forward and create radical change in the built environment.”

She says that architects should “look at best practice, engage experts in gender sensitive and intersectional design. Most importantly, [they shoud] listen to those with lived experience in the communities that will (presumably) benefit from the work that you do.”

Source: Architecture - architectureau