During 2024, Women in Architecture UK have continued to focus on the differences and biases that exist for Parent Architect’s and carers, with a second event in partnership with the RIBA and the RIBA’s Balance Community, a network of colleagues across the RIBA workforce made up of parents and those with caring responsibilities.

The event, attended by over 50 people, explored the ways in which architect parents deal with the responsibilities of high demanding jobs and childcare, juggling the responsibilities at work and at home and the impact this has on their careers.

The panel, composed of Katia Polidoro, (Principal Director, TP Bennett), Naomi Sakamoto, AIA (Principal, Gensler), Mario Barrientos Moral (Senior Associate, Morris & Co.), Dan Carter (Head of Design, United Living Group), Matt Waddelow (Associate, Shed KM) and Sophie McCarthy (Design Director, Atomik Architecture) and expertly curated by Judith Topley (Director Jo Cowen Architects, Assoc CIPD, Enterprise Advisor Central London Careers Hub), shared personal experiences of dealing with the responsibilities of high demanding jobs, childcare, the work patterns developed and the balance of tasks between mothers and fathers. Additional related key topics of flexible working arrangements for parents with babies or children of varying ages and shared parental leave were also discussed.

The audience were able to engage in the lively discussion by commenting live on questions via a Slido feed which appeared on a large screen in real time during the conversations:

What are the current parental policies available at your practice?
Returning to your work after parental leave – what was your experience?
What has really helped you navigate juggling your responsibilities, policy or otherwise?

A short survey was also conducted to gather data from the audience to evaluate the state of the industry and identify good practice recommendations. Some of the key takeaways and actions from the event were:

Flexible working hours are crucial and should offered by small practices that are not able to financially enhance maternity or paternity packages, along with other innovative non-monetary benefits.

Encourage small and large practices to enhance maternity /paternity packages and flexible working arrangements as good practice for staff retention and widely promote these internally and during recruitment

Develop strategies to support Parents - clear communication and discussion of role and responsibilities before returning to work and during the different stages of the children’s growth.

Promote shared Parental leave as a mechanism for couples to balance career progression

Promote the education of senior management in small and large practices on the topics related to maternity and paternity leave through dedicated talks and seminars

Return to work support is needed – WIA UK and the RIBA are working together on a new CPD series addressing this topic

We still have a long way to go. There will be Architects Parents events held in 2025. If you would like to attend future Architects Parents events, check out the WIA UK events page on our website and look out for our social media posts.

Thank you to all the attendees for your participation and the RIBA for their continued support.

The event was curated by WIA UK committee Annie Cosentino, Rachael Davidson and Maria Loreto Flores in partnership with the RIBA's team, Robbie Turner, Lienkie Diedericks, PhD, Abigail MacDougall, Nell Brown and our fantastic media partner You See Media, that filmed the event.

WIA UK would also like to thank Madeleine Hobern and Tarryn Leeferink for the social media production for the event.

Watch our film from the July Parents' Event, where a panel of architect parents share valuable insights on balancing demanding careers with childcare.

You will also find some of the event conclusions. We look forward to continuing working with RIBA on this topic in 2025.

#WomeninArchitectureUK #RIBA #YouSeeMedia #ParentsArchitects

(Images and film by You See Media)