Professional Performances in Architecture: A Cross-National Study

The lack of women in architecture is a phenomenon that has been extensively analysed during the last 20 years, but the focus has been mainly placed on the gendered aspects that historically characterised the profession.

In order to offer a different approach to the problem I am conducting a comparative study between Italy and the UK aimed at understanding whether architecture is more organised around a gendered or a contextual professionalism. Is the difference among both architecture actors and practices more relevant between Italy and the UK or between women and men, despite their country of employment?

From the preliminary results obtained so far from the analysis of original empirical data sourced through individual interviews and focus groups, the concept that I am developing is that architecture is a profession characterised by various sites of performativity. Therefore, it requires its actors to conduct different performances of professionalism. For example, architects are required to act differently in the studio, on the construction site or with clients. Neither of these performances are specifically perceived as feminine or masculine, therefore it could be argued that architects seem to perform what is expected from the profession itself rather than what is expected from their gender. The current definition of architect seems to embody a “one size fits all” idea of professional identity, here the contrast encountered in particular by women and other minorities (i.e. ethnicity, age, ability, economic background, etc..), which for decades tried to fit in the current definition rather than offering new practices and identities.

Moreover, this approach could be implemented in actions for change aimed at challenging the gender imbalance in the construction industry.