On Thursday 5 March, in celebration of International Women’s Day 2020, RIBA East Midlands hosted an afternoon and evening of free events for existing and prospective members and students at New Art Exchange in Nottingham, a RIBA Award-winning Building by Hawkins\Brown. The event was generously sponsored by Ibstock.
The afternoon began with a choice of two workshops: How to Shout Quietly with Pete Mosley, creative business mentor; and Visual Thinking Strategies with Janneke van Leeuwen, neuro-psychologist and artist. After the workshops, which were attended by over 30 people, there was an opportunity for attendees from both sessions to share what they had learned with each other in an open forum.
The workshops were followed by a delicious South Indian buffet and drinks reception, along with an opportunity for attendees to network and have a look around the venue’s gallery and exhibition spaces.
The event then moved to the adjacent performance space, where guests were welcomed by RIBA East Midlands Partnerships Manager, Lucy Grierson. The RIBA's Equality and Diversity Manager, Anne Cosentino and Vice President Membership, RIBA, Dr Valeria Passetti both gave presentations outlining some of the recent work by the RIBA to address the gender pay gap and the imbalance of female representation across all RIBA membership categories.
After Valeria’s talk, special guest, Michál Cohen, Director of award-winning Walters & Cohen Architects, gave a keynote on the theme of Ways of Working. Michál's highly engaging and inspirational talk provided the audience with a very personal insight into the running of this high-profile practice and its innovative and contemporary portfolio, where the client is at the heart of everything. The presentation was followed by a short video capturing some of the highlights of Walters & Cohen Architects' 25 years in practice. Michál was then joined in conversation by Alison Davies of Urban Fabric Architects.
There then followed an audience discussion and Q&A with all of the speakers on a broad range of issues including the role of the architect, housing and planning, as well as the event theme of Women in Architecture.
The event was rounded off with networking and conversation in the New Art Exchange Café Bar. Over 80 people attended throughout the afternoon and evening and we were delighted to be joined by Rae Hughes, Design Advisor with event sponsor, Ibstock.
There are now several Women in Architecture Groups in the East Midlands, working with members and students with support from the RIBA East Midlands team. For further details, please contact Lucy Grierson.
