Women Architects outside the Spanish Borders: Patriarchal Models at International Congresses (1939–1975)

Josenia Hervás,Silvia Blanco-Agüeira

doi:10.3390/arts9010026

Abstract

In the complex political scene surrounding the death of Francisco Franco, Spanish female architects were crossing borders to try and understand what was happening abroad. This article provides unpublished data on the various experiences of female graduates in Spain when they shared their enthusiasm, concerns and energy with colleagues from other countries at international conferences that took place before the arrival of democracy. For almost four decades, between 1939 and 1975, Spanish female architects were limited by the patriarchal system’s own barriers and by the political barriers imposed by Franco’s regime. This paper aims to organise and articulate women’s memories, proving the implicit acceptance of patriarchal ideas and models at the start of the 20th century, the timidity of the congress resolutions in the sixties and the later awakening provided by UIFA (Union Internationale des Femmes Architectes) congresses. Finally, it is worth examining the metamorphosis that occurred in free western societies in the 20th century, with respect to the role played by women as a user and as a professional, through the attentive gaze of women architects from a nondemocratic country.

Highlights

In September 1922, the tenth International Congress of Architects was held in Brussels, the first assembly of professionals in the discipline since the end of the First World War
Thanks to the account of proceedings written by this Madrid architect and critic, published that year in the journal Arquitectura (Cabello 1922, p. 426), we know that one of the important points discussed at the congress related to the female architect: Today, when a wide field of possibilities are open to women’s talents, which has been amply demonstrated in the areas of public administration, and in the exercise of noble professions such as lawyer and doctor, and Music and the Fine Arts, there is no just reason to close our doors to the practise of architecture by the female sex
In June 1936, Matilde Ucelay became the first female architect to graduate in Spain and opened the way for many others. She was the first woman who practised architecture, in extremely adverse conditions because she suffered, in addition to the difficulties of a profession historically exercised by men, professional disqualification imposed by court martial proceedings (Vílchez 2014, p. 191)

Summary

Introduction

In September 1922, the tenth International Congress of Architects was held in Brussels, the first assembly of professionals in the discipline since the end of the First World War. 426), we know that one of the important points discussed at the congress related to the female architect: Today, when a wide field of possibilities are open to women’s talents, which has been amply demonstrated in the areas of public administration, and in the exercise of noble professions such as lawyer and doctor, and Music and the Fine Arts, there is no just reason to close our doors to the practise of architecture by the female sex. Women architects would participate in all female congresses, like the dibujantas exhibition In June 1936, Matilde Ucelay became the first female architect to graduate in Spain and opened the way for many others She was the first woman who practised architecture, in extremely adverse conditions because she suffered, in addition to the difficulties of a profession historically exercised by men, professional disqualification imposed by court martial proceedings Spanish female architects—conditioned by the political system—to break down professional and geographic boundaries, despite the fact that all women suffered severe discrimination and were fighting to establish their own place within the profession

Women’s Opinions

Women and Architecture

Results