Is architecture a male-dominated profession?
Architecture and construction is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. It involves multiple stakeholders and employs millions of people in its various fields, which include design, engineering and manual labour.
When it comes to architecture and design, there is a stark contrast in the percentage of male and female employees. According to the COA – Council of Architecture, 47% of architects in India are women, but only 20% go on to become licensed practitioners. What is the cause of this discrepancy?
Based on the experiences of women in the industry, discrimination is faced at multiple levels. Site workers often disregard instructions given by female architects and tend to double-check with male supervisors before carrying out tasks; there is always a pay gap between the genders and as always, the societal pressure for women to have to sacrifice their careers to raise a family.
These are only a few of the many issues faced by women in the field. Traversing them is something that has been a constant challenge throughout history. Yet, there are some women who take the leap and once they do, there is absolutely nothing that can hold them back. Such is the story of Sri Lankan architect, Minnette de Silva, a pioneer of the modern architectural style of her country.
Early Life of Minnette de Silva
De Silva was born in 1918 in Kandy, Sri Lanka, where her house and architectural studio are located. She was one of the first women architects in Sri Lanka, the first Asian woman to become an associate of RIBA, and one of the only two women at the time to lead their own practice. But her legacy remains forgotten, and her work is often overshadowed by that of Geoffrey Bawa, due to the challenges faced by her being a woman in the industry.
De Silva was not able to complete her formal schooling due to which she was denied architectural education at a university level. Undeterred, she worked as an apprentice in a Bombay-based firm, Mistri and Bhedwa, while attending a private architectural academy in the evenings, where she was the only woman in a class of 40. She also attended the Technical College in Colombo but was expelled due to participating in the Quit India Movement, after which she worked again for seven months, this time in Bangalore.
Around the time, she was able to enrol in RIBA, and finally completed her architectural education, against her father’s will, at age 30. She became an associate of the institution as well, where she was affiliated with the biggest names of the time including Le Corbusier and Picasso.
Architectural Practice and Style
Minnette de Silva practised Critical Regionalism, which is an architectural style that suits the economic and social climate of a region, while also incorporating modern concepts. She started her practice in Kandy in 1948 and took up mainly residential projects. In terms of materials, she used modern concrete while incorporating traditional ones such as bamboo, textiles, brass and lacquerware. She made it a point to employ craftsmen of traditional Kandyan handicrafts, ensuring they could earn a living. She also used technology like rammed earth and wattle and daub which were cost-cutting.
Some of her traditional planning features included open courtyards and verandahs, parking spaces that doubled as play areas and staircases that led to an upper floor consisting of a kitchen and bedrooms. The bedrooms were large spaces divided only by cupboards to ensure air moved freely throughout.
A Woman in a Man’s World
Being a female architect in 1950s Sri Lanka came with its set of extreme challenges. As a woman, De Silva was expected not to ask for payment for her work. In her own words, she was “dismissed” and “never taken seriously”. Her ideas were questioned by her clients and even her contractor, a problem which is faced by women even to this day. For one of her projects, she was forced to have her design approved by an engineer in London before her contractor agreed to build it. These adversities made her tough and she was often labelled as being difficult. But it enabled her to get around workers, be assertive, and get her job done.
The unfortunate truth is that she never received appropriate recognition for her work and hardship. She struggled to find contracts in the later years of her life and her existing buildings are in danger of demolition and decay. A lot of her ideas were radical for the time she was a part of, but instead of caving into what the masses deemed appropriate, she stuck with her beliefs.
Legacy
Minnette de Silva might not be remembered today, but her story is one of determination and inspiration. Circumstances have changed and are a lot better for women since 1950, but there is still a long way to go. It is only through stories like hers, that women find the strength to fight for what they believe in. It is thus of immense responsibility to safeguard these stories, ensure that they are not lost, and to celebrate them.
References:
CONSTRUCTION WORLD.in (16th August 2021). Only 20% of licensed women architects in India become practitioners. [online]. https://www.constructionworld.in/policy-updates-and-economic-news/only-20–of-licensed-women-architects-in-india-become-practitioners/29155/.
Sumita Singha. Remembering Minnette de Silva: the architect in a sari. [online]. Available at: https://www.architecture.com/about/equality-diversity-and-inclusion/remembering-minnette-de-silva?srsltid=AfmBOoqIGFjDT5cTpILQSjqB77qCuSi4YjOLbipQrmM0rZOPPszhryMy#
Shiromi Pinto (14th December 2018) Minnette de Silva: the brilliant female architect forgotten by history. [online]. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/dec/14/minnette-de-silva-the-brilliant-female-architect-forgotten-by-history
Utkarsha Laharia (24th March 2021) Minnette de Silva: the story of an “Asian Woman Architect”. [online]. Available at: https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/15041-minnette-de-silva-the-story-of-an-asian-woman-architect
