This International Women's Day, we celebrate the contributions of women in architecture, a field traditionally dominated by men. While dominant narratives may overlook their significant impact, as the history of architecture is replete with examples of women subtly but powerfully shaping the profession. When limited to a draftsman position, Ester McCoy took a step back not to disengage but to better observe. She became the first architectural critic and historian to notice the unique flavor of Modernism developing along the West Coast during the 1950s, bringing names such as Richard Neutra, or Luis Barragan to the forefront of architectural discussions. Similarly, the name Aline Louchheim may not be a widely recognized one among architects, but, because of her, the name Eero Saarinen surely is. The profession of architectural publicist also emerged through this collaboration. These stories remind us that recognizing women's achievements in architecture is not about celebrating gender, but about acknowledging a historical bias that has hindered the entire field's progress.
In celebration of this year's International Women's Day, we are highlighting emerging women-led practices selected throughout the years as part of ArchDaily's "New Practices," an initiative seeking to showcase emerging architectural offices worldwide that are redefining the profession through innovative approaches to design and construction. While not exclusively focused on women-led firms, the New Practices initiative recognizes the significant contributions of practices across the globe that demonstrate a strong commitment to both design excellence and positive social impact.
