Towards diverse
architecture.
We are Architektky [Women in Architecture], a platform whose initial impulse is to connect women working in the fields related to built environment.
Gradually, some of our activities have grown. We raise issues related to fair opportunities and diverse needs within the architectural profession.
Our goal is to achieve greater diversity in architectural representation, making architecture more open to varied approaches and outputs and creating a kind, respectful environment.
We create a supportive environment for diverse profession paths.
Our online FB group Architektky consists of 1500+ members
On instagram, we have
over 2700 followers
Why do we do it?
Our story began with the perceived underrepresentation of women in the architectural scene in education, media and practice.
In the Czech Republic, women make up 60% of students at architectural faculties. Hundreds of them graduate successfully every year,* however, only 20% of architects in leading positions in studios are women and the same applies for the position of city architects.**
In the Czech Republic and around the world, there are a number of structural barriers that make it difficult for parts of the population to develop their talents and enrich society with their work. Through our activities we wish to gradually straighten out this imbalance.
We want architecture as a discipline to be more inclusive, offering an inspiring environment for people with diverse life experiences and varying degrees of privilege. We believe that the more diverse representation we can bring to the field, the better environment we will create not only for ourselves, but for society as a whole.
* Data from study departments of all schools with recognized and related education according to ČKA, Czech Chamber of Architects (2021).
** Data available from the ČKA website and from the websites of schools with recognized and related education according to ČKA (2021).
Media and news
Architektky on UMPRUM Online
Summary text about our activities on UMPRUM Online, a web magazine of the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague.
Read more...
Architektky at Bratislava City Gallery
We prepared an installation with inspiring answers to the question "How do you imagine a (more) feminist architectural practice?" with answers from 20 women architects from 5 countries. The installation is part of the exhibition Liberated Space: care - architecture - feminism at Bratislava City Gallery.
More info about the installation...
and more...
Architektky on ForUM Magazine
Interview for the web magazine of the Prague City Gallery was a good opportunity to look back at the last four years of Architektky and to share our visions for the future.
Read the interview...
Architektky in A2larm podcast
In May, Prague gallery VI PER opened our exhibition TRUTH X CARE: How is life for children and parents in Prague? In addition to Alžběta and Adéla, the authors interdisciplinary team also included Klára Brůhová, Karin Hoření and Jakub Plachý.
Listen to the podcast (in Czech)...
More about the exhibition...
Architektky on Czechdesign.cz
How have we moved forward in the past few years as an organization and what are the most pressing issues for us within the industry? Interview with Adéla Vavříková and Alžběta Brůhová for Czechdesign.
Read the interview...
About Architektky in Bourání, Radio Wave
Alžběta and Klára Brůhová talked to Karolína Vránková about women in architecture not only from a contemporary but also from a historical perspective. Where do women disappear, what can we do about it, and what role does biological or symbolic sisterhood play in architecture?
Listen to us (in Czech)...
Architektky in Forbes
Forbes magazine has selected Architektky as one of 7 inspirational professional communities focused on women. We are in company of Femme Palette, Ženy v právu, Ženy v byznysu, Holky z marketingu, Minerva 21 and Ženy s.r.o.
Read the article...
Architektky among #grlpwr communities
Founder of Holky z marketingu Pavlína Louženská chose Architektky for LMC magazine as one of 7 women professional communitites which will give you a helping hand.
Read the article...
Architektky in Karel Janeček's accelerator
We were given the opportunity to participate as one of 10 teams in this year's 3-2-1 dílna social business accelerator, which is sponsored by the Karel Janeček Foundation. We were selected from 66 submitted projects!
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Architektky in Živé mesto podcast
In the podcast Živé mesto of Radio FM of the Slovak Radio, we talked about women in architecture and compared experiences from the Czech Republic, Slovakia and around the world.
Listen to us (in Czech)...
Architektky as panelists at the US Embassy
We participated as panelists in the discussion Women in architecture organized by the American Center at the US Embassy Prague. We debated with Amy Hetletvedt, Anna Švarc and Regina Loukotová.
Architektky as curators of ERA21 magazine
We curated the issue 03/2020 of the architectural magazine ERA21 with the subtitle Soil of Architecture. We focused on the working conditions of young architects and the opportunities they have after graduation.
Read more...
Events
Past events (selection):
Education:
Mgr. Alžběta Protivanská - Work-life balanc in architecture
Mgr. Magdalena Čevelová - How to prize my work well?
Mgr. Iva Javorská, LL.M. - About conctracts and authorship
Mgr. Alice Červinková - How to built my body?
Mentoring:
...with Mgr. arch. Gabriela Kaprálová (ASGK Design)
...with Ing. arch. Alžběta Vrabcová (DMAE Architects)
...with MgA. Kateřina Šedá (Architect of year 2017)
...with Ing. arch. Regina Loukotová, PhD. (ARCHIP)
Discussion:
...about working conditions with architect Josef Pleskot and lawyer Šárka Homfray
...about mental health in architectural profession – with many guests from different fields
Surveys
Architektky initiate surveys on the state of the architectural profession and education. In cooperation with an interdisciplinary team with sociologist Terezie Lokšová, researcher Eliška Pomyjová and architect Jakub Kopecký, we created a survey Working conditions of young architects.
We also open polls on our instagram account on sensitive topics such as leaving the profession, stories of abuse of power or wages in the architectural profession. For now, all the surveys are in Czech language only. We thank all contributors for their trust. ♡
FAQ
1. Can I join Architektky FB group if I don't indentify as woman or if I do not have a professional connection to the field of architecture?
Unfortunately, no. From the very beginning, the closed FB group Architektky has been based on the idea of a women professional community, and it is important for us to create a safe environment where we can confidently share sensitive topics related to our work and personal life.
2. How can I be in touch with Architektky if I am not part of the FB group?
You can connect with us via our instagram, through which we communicate widely and hold polls. You can also follow our facebook page or subscribe to our newsletter. We look forward to hearing from you!
3. I want to support greater diversity in architectural representation. What can I do for it?
If you organize conferences, discussions, tenders or publications, you can focus on making your selection as diverse as possible. You may ask yourself the question: Have we selected representatives who have different life trajectories, different needs and/or come from different backgrounds?
In teaching and practice, you can seek/promote a broader definition of architecture and more diverse disciplinary approaches or outcomes.
4. We want to have a more balanced number of men and women speakers at the conference, but we cannot find any women. What do you recommend?
If you are looking for experts in the field of architecture and related fields, you can get inspired by our
Open Database of Women Architects.
5. I am an expert in the field of building culture. Can I join the Open Database of Women Architects?
Yes! Just fill out this form a and your data will be automatically copied to the database..
6. Can I financially support the activities of the Architektky?
Yes! You can send any donation to the account number of the registered association Architektky, z. s. 2202088599/2010.
Or you can support us through online purchases with the GIVT app (long-term or one-off).
Thank you!
Contact:
Architektky, z. s.
Vostrovská 2058/25
Praha 6 – Dejvice, 160 00
Czech Republic
IČO 140 52 334
IBAN: CZ14 2010 0000 0022 0208 8599
BIC/SWIFT: FIOBCZPPXXX
Executive Board:
Adéla Vavříková
Meeting goals:
Our supporters:
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Author of logo: Lenka Juchelková
Author of poster: Oleksandra Derkach