International Women’s Day takes place every year on 8th March to recognise the achievements of women and strive for action to drive gender equality. The theme for 2024 is ‘Inspire Inclusion’.
At RKD, we recognise that our people are our greatest asset, and that a diverse workforce produces the best ideas. Women represent 45% of RKD’s total personnel and our organisation is 40% female owned, with 24 nationalities on staff speaking more than 19 languages.
In celebration of International Women’s Day 2024, we are sharing the stories and advice from 4 women within RKD to highlight the significance of women’s participation in the construction industry and more specifically their experience and achievements in architecture.
Tell us about your role/career in RKD.
I’ve been with RKD since November 2000 (eek!). It was my second “proper job” in Ireland having worked for a bunch of practices in Paris after graduating. I’ve had a great experience with this company, in the early “boom” years I gained good experience on commercial / pharma projects. We then had a recession to deal with, this coincided with the arrival of my three sons – so I still managed to keep busy! I am now so happy to be in a position to take an active role in managing this great organisation – it is a total privilege. We have wonderful people and have proven ourselves to be agile and always open to new challenges and opportunities – never a dull day!
Can you share a memorable experience from your career so far?
In my first week at RKD I poured hot coffee straight into a client’s lap when the lid came off the pot…I suspect this might also be a memorable experience for him (!). Thankfully he is still a client!
What motivates you to continue growing and evolving in the world of Architecture generally and in RKD specifically?
I love that we can offer so much variety in both the roles we provide and the projects we work on. Architecture is not necessarily an easy profession to work in, but in my experience it is certainly rewarding and ever-changing. We are so often in a position of leadership within a project team – that’s an exciting place to be but challenging also. I enjoy that we are generally perceived as a trusted advisor to our clients – that reputation is founded on the excellence of our people, something I am very proud of.
What advice would you give to other women starting out in Architecture?
I have found that there is a vast range of ways that one can contribute in the profession of Architecture. Our foundation and training provides us with very transferrable skills, this was not always acknowledged but I believe that has changed now. If you enjoy the variety of “every day being a school day” then it is a profession that can flex to suit career development. Being a good communicator is key I feel – that and being able to take the rough with the smooth – it’s a bumpy but interesting path!
Tell us about your role/career in RKD.
I am an Associate and a member of the Workplace and Interiors Team since I joined RKD in 2017. I began as an intern the summer before my final year in college and that experience led me back to RKD when I graduated. In that time, I have had the chance to work on some incredible projects and build relationships with clients, consultants, and contractors across sectors and of course the RKD team. I started out working on several different projects for short periods, jumping from different stages and tasks, which meant I got to see the full spectrum of projects early on. This experience has stood to me and is part of why I enjoy working in workplace design. The pace of the projects, the variety in scale and the exposure to different clients, design styles and challenges.
Can you share a memorable experience from your career so far?
Completing my Professional Practice exams and becoming a registered member of the RIAI. Studying and working at the same time was tougher than expected and the feeling of that accomplishment is one I won’t forget any time soon.
What motivates you to continue growing and evolving in the world of Architecture generally and in RKD specifically?
I love designing and thinking about the end users of the spaces I am creating. For most, their workplace is where they will spend a large portion of their day. The spaces we create will shape their interactions, facilitate their productiveness, and ideally ensure they have a healthy and enjoyable working environment. This and the ever-evolving landscape of workplace design is what motivates me. In my time with RKD there has always been a new challenge to incorporate into workplace design and this knowledge is carried forward with each new project. The post pandemic workplace has opened a variety of new design considerations. Recently, I have been looking at how we can design neuroinclusive spaces.
What advice would you give to other women starting out in Architecture?
I would say this to everyone starting out, not just women. Don’t be afraid to ask what you might perceive as “obvious” questions, sometimes the simplest questions need to be asked. From experience, if you feel the need to ask the question, there might be others around the table thinking the same and all will benefit from the answer.
Tell us about your role/career in RKD.
It is nearly 5 years since I first started out my career in RKD. In that time, I have found that my role has developed hugely – from starting out as a graduate assisting with the production of tender packages I now find myself leading Design Teams and delivering projects as Project Architect across both Education and Healthcare Sectors. My favourite part of the job is dealing with the clients across both sectors as they are often extremely passionate and have a large amount of input during early project stages.
Can you share a memorable experience from your career so far?
Beginning my career at the onset of the Covid Pandemic stands out in my memory. It was extremely challenging learning the RKD ways from home but having a brilliant team to support me in my development during this time made it all possible!
What motivates you to continue growing and evolving in the world of Architecture generally and in RKD specifically?
A career in architecture definitely requires a motived mindset! Having spent almost 10 years working towards my qualification as a Registered Architect it is brilliant to have that road behind me and work towards developing my career. I love that each day of work in RKD is completely different in terms of deliverables and learning outcomes and there are always people willing to help and advise when needed.
What advice would you give to other women starting out in Architecture?
Be confident / be visible. While the construction industry can feel male dominated at times, it is important to recognise the impact and importance of your work in shaping your built environment. Today, there is a wealth of female talent within the Irish architecture industry, and it is hugely encouraging to see this translate across the sector and across RKD as a practice.
Tell us about your role/career in RKD.
It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly two years since I embarked on my journey with RKD as an Architect. Time has truly flown by, filled with countless memorable experiences. I’ve had the privilege of contributing to a variety of captivating projects and crossing paths with remarkable individuals along the way. Each day brings new opportunities for personal and professional growth, and for that, I am incredibly grateful. Reflecting on this journey, I can confidently say that I am thriving and excited for what the future holds.
Can you share a memorable experience from your career so far?
One of the most fulfilling moments in my career was attending the official opening of a public elementary school that I had the privilege to design alongside my colleagues. Witnessing the fully completed building, both inside and out, filled with kids and joy, filled my heart with immense satisfaction. It was a powerful reminder that our work isn’t just ‘lines on paper’; it’s about bringing visions to life. That moment was when we saw our hard work pay off.
What motivates you to continue growing and evolving in the world of Architecture generally and in RKD specifically?
I’m constantly motivated by the fact that there’s still so much to learn and explore. Lately, I’ve been diving into sustainable design, and every article I read feels like opening a new door. I believe that when we’re passionate about what we do, motivation naturally follows. RKD has been instrumental in helping me open these new doors. The company, through its people, has been incredibly supportive. I’ve been fortunate to be surrounded by leaders who genuinely encourage and uplift me.
What advice would you give to other women starting out in Architecture?
I would say: Never doubt your suitability for a role based on your gender.
Women are exceptional – resilient, strong, and incredibly creative. In any profession, and particularly in architecture, gender should never be a limiting factor. There may be instances where we feel not taken seriously, but we can’t let that deter us. Fortunately, the world is evolving, and positive changes are on the horizon.