Women’s History Month: How women in architecture have impacted our firm

To celebrate Women’s History Month, we asked our staff about the women who have influenced their architecture careers. Below, we’ve compiled some of their responses. Happy International Women’s Day!

Rachel Adams, Associate, AIA, LEED AP BD+C:

Is there a specific woman who inspired you to study architecture?

At a previous firm, the managing principal was a woman. Vastly outnumbered by our male colleagues, she was always encouraging me to push my career forward, was a strong advocate for me within the firm, and urged me to join Seattle’s Women in Design group, where I was connected to many other hard-working and driven women in the industry.

Were you inspired to join Runberg because our staff is comprised of more women than men (often a rarity in the industry), and our leadership team is made up of 60% women?

One of the reasons Runberg was so appealing for me is that there is a strong female presence in the leadership group. But even more inspiring, the firm structure allows people of every level to be hands-on with design and problem solving; no one is too busy or unavailable to talk through problems with, or help with, technical or code issues. The overall inclusive environment is very welcoming.

Mat Lipps, Senior Associate, LEED AP:

Were you inspired to join the Runberg firm because our staff is comprised of more women than men (often a rarity in the industry), and our leadership team is made up of 60% women?

I was very attracted to a firm that came with a built-in balance of having equal parts men and women. It was one of the reasons I opted to join Runberg. The practicality of our work, as well as the attitude toward a non-ego-driven working environment, is – I believe – a result of this mix. Having a large cohort of hardworking, successful women in the firm means a lot to me.

Is there a specific woman who inspired you to study architecture?

I don’t have direct early inspiration in the architecture field but am very inspired by the women in my life growing up: Librarian grandmother in a large city library system running the children’s department. Other close female family members who were always respected and strong inspirations; driven, talented, hard-working, opinionated, caring and artists in their own right. One is a potter/weaver and farmer. Another has been a dancer and accomplished martial artist.

Ana Parke, Senior Associate, AIA, LEED AP Homes:

Is there a design technique you learned because of a woman architect who then inspired an element of one of your designs?

Michele Wang, principal, has always inspired me as a super knowledgeable and technical architect. At other firms, I hadn’t seen a lot of that. I’ve aspired to know my way around building codes like her (and am getting close!).

Were you inspired to join the Runberg firm because our staff is comprised of more women than men (often a rarity in the industry), and our leadership team is made up of 60% women?

Yes, absolutely! I had interned here during undergrad and got to see women taking on management roles firsthand. There were women just a few years ahead of me taking on significant roles on project teams. I knew I wouldn’t be just drafting when I started working at Runberg. I often mention to others that 3 of 5 of our principals are female.

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Pictured: Standing in the center of the Jackson courtyard is “Winds of Change: We Are Still Here,” by Marita Dingus and Preston Hampton. This strong female figure is inspired by Oya, the Yoruba orisha, or deity of storms. As both nurturer and protector, she is a swift avenger with the power to summon the weather to exercise her bidding. Here, she takes the form of a woman wrestling with the forces of change facing a community, poised to protect all residents of the Central Area (credit: Vulcan Real Estate).

Related: Press: Runberg ranked 2nd on PSBJ’s Most Equitable Workplaces in WA State