A comparison of women role models in architecture firms featured in Architectural Record and Architectural Review

Abstract

How are women represented, specifically women of colour, in architecture library collections? I focus on two major trade periodicals to find out: Architectural Review (a British publication) and Architectural Record (American). I analyse firms highlighted in these periodicals in 2019, researching the proportion of women in leadership per each featured company. I compare against demographic and occupational statistics in the respective countries to see if these periodicals accurately represent the field, or further reinforce antiquated notions. My findings suggest that who the periodicals highlight is roughly proportionate or more diverse than the field itself, but the field continues to mostly represent white men as successful architects. Library collections reify that notion. In order to decentre the monolithic nature of many library collections, I further suggest approaches to increasing diversity based on my own initiatives.