Schwarzer Rolli, Hornbrille

Despite increasing numbers of female students graduating from architecture programs, women remain heavily underrepresented in the architecture profession. Few female architects enter the profession, and when they do, it remains difficult to retain them, and they continue to be the exception in leadership and top-ranking positions. So, why do women turn their backs on the architecture profession? What are some of the gaps created by their absence in the planning and design of spaces? Would our cities look different if young women architects were naturally part of a diverse urban design culture? Karin Hartmann reveals the structural discrimination faced by women in architecture, illustrating what is missing from the built environment when women don't have a seat at the table, and what impact a cultural shift in city planning could have. At the same time, Hartmann provides a context and arguments for how to adequately function within the framework of a traditional industry.