Women in Architecture - Part 2

Zuzana Sojkova, Architect
Why did you start working in this industry?
Throughout primary and secondary school, I attended a weekly extracurricular art class. We learned fine art, sculpture, architecture and even set design. From those early experiences, I knew that I wanted a career in the arts. The architecture degree was the most challenging education path, but I felt with that degree I could still choose to become an artist later in life.
How did you find your voice when first starting out?
I found that developing a strong design concept helped me find my voice when presenting. I would choose an inspiration that was linked to the site, like a moment in history or a piece of literature, that could be translated into the architectural proposal. My art school background helped me with this, as we always had themes we had to present to, and I took that with me into architecture.
Can you tell me about the challenges you’ve faced as a woman in this industry?
While growing up, most of my teachers were female. In architecture school, it was the opposite, and it took time to learn how to communicate with the male instructors. This was compounded by the fact I had moved from Slovakia to the UK for architecture school, at the beginning there was a language barrier. I felt underestimated because English wasn’t my first language, people assumed that I would be automatically behind.
Sometimes architecture feels like a boy’s club, as everywhere I’ve worked has been majority male. In the past, I have felt underestimated when working with some older men. I’ve had the experience of being the only female, the youngest and the only non-British person on a team. It was harder to express my ideas as I felt less comfortable in that setting. It makes a difference when you work in an international environment, you feel like you’re not an outsider.
How did you think the industry can change to break the bias?
I think the more women showing they are competent in their work will help break the bias. It appears that men instinctually know how to navigate asking for what they want and recover better from making mistakes in the workplace than women do. Women at early career stages would benefit from mentoring in the workplace from their senior female colleagues. It’s important to share that knowledge with the younger generation of women and help show them how to navigate the workplace.
What advice do you have for women interested in a career in architecture?
At a large practice, it’s easy to become stuck working on projects tasks that don’t provide enough learning opportunities. Early in your career, try to find a specialism that you are passionate about. It’s helpful when you’re trying to build your career to have that clear path in mind. I’m working towards that myself by taking a part-time master's in sustainable construction, as I want more technical skills to specialise in green building.
What charity did you select and why?
Úsmev ako Dar (Smile as a Gift) – It's a Slovak charity currently helping Ukrainian refugees, especially women, children and the elderly with housing, education, psychological care or job opportunities.