The Evolution of Women’s Roles in Architecture

Over the past thirty years, the role of women in architecture and its allied disciplines has shifted in ways both visible and structural. The evolution is not simply about numbers. It is about authority. It is about risk. It is about how firms are built, how decisions are made, how leadership is defined, and how culture adapts.

For some, the early years were defined by isolation and proof. For others, by entrepreneurship without safety nets. Today, the landscape looks different: women in executive roles, visible mentorship, and growing representation across design and technical streams.

Yet change has not been linear, nor is it complete.

Through four intergenerational conversations—with a founder, a director, a senior interior designer, and principal, mechanical lead—a portrait emerges of how women’s roles in architecture have evolved, and where the profession is still headed.

Michelle Austin (Director, Operations) and Anita Helmers (Intermediate Technologist) talk technology, representation and technical tracks.

Anita Helmers: I don’t know if I’ve ever been on this side of the interview table before, so this is kind of fun. What made you choose architecture, and specifically architectural technology?

Michelle Austin: When I was starting high school, my family purchased some property and decided they were going to build a house. It took us four years, and we built it ourselves. That’s when I became interested in architecture and how things went together. How the walls were constructed, how the floors were supported, how the roof worked.

That really triggered my passion.

In high school, I did a co-op with an architectural firm in Kingston. When I met with the architect, he asked what I was interested in. I said design. I said I was really interested in how the building goes together. What supports the walls? What supports the brick? How are the windows connected?

He said, “I don’t think architecture or design is really for you. Have you ever thought about technology?”

He took me to a room full of draftsmen. He said, “I think you need to spend the day with this team.” I spent the day with them, and I was fascinated.

That’s why I went into technology over design. It really sparked my interest.

Anita Helmers: Do you feel there’s been a gender gap in architecture, specifically on the technology side? How does that compare to when you started versus today?

Michelle Austin: I think it’s improved a lot from the design side. From what I’ve seen in architectural firms and among students coming through the office, there’s been significant improvement in representation of women in design.

Technology hasn’t caught up as much.

When I started, there were 90 students in my program, and four were women. I think it’s changing, but not as quickly as the design side of architecture. I don’t know why, but there is improvement. There are more women entering the technician side of the field.

Anita Helmers: Yeah, I think for myself as well, it was still a low number. I think there was probably six of us.

Michelle Austin: So how many were there when you went through the program or your programs?

Anita Helmers: In a class of 60.

Anita Helmers: Would you have any advice for women entering architectural technology or how to kind of navigate schooling?

Michelle Austin: I think you just have to be sure of yourself and ask a lot of questions. You don’t know all the answers. All the answers aren’t necessarily in the textbooks either. That was probably one of the biggest lessons coming out of college – I’ve learned all this stuff and now I can go apply it. And the first project you work on, it’s like, well that’s not really how it’s done.

So, be dedicated to learning. You’re always learning as technology changes and new products and new systems. It’s always changing, which is great. You’re constantly learning. Take it all in.

Anita Helmers: There were some themes of which I was gearing questions towards, so the next question is how the profession has changed or has there been any change? More specifically, were there any moments in your career that shaped how you navigated the profession or defined your voice within it?

Michelle Austin: I think when I first started out, maybe between five and ten years of experience, I was working on a file. It was a housing project, a townhouse project. And I remember the contractor, who was also the owner of the development, came in and was very adamant about how they construct things. There must be every separation between town home units, has to be a concrete block wall. And that’s so costly and it creates issues on site with constructability.

I remember in the meeting saying “well it doesn’t have to be concrete block. You can build those walls out of wood and you can still get an STC rating and the fire separation rating out of wood.” And he really pushed back. He said “oh no, no, you don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Before the next meeting I had with him, I went home and did a bunch of research. I came back to him and I had the proof. I said “well this is in code and this is this” and so on. And I did a sketch of what the wall could look like.

It was like the light bulb went on for him. He said “well you do know what you’re talking about”

So, I think that a lot of it has to do with trusting in yourself. In a lot of cases, you have to actually go find that proof to show that you know what you’re talking about. But I think once you gain that respect, it goes a long way.

He never questioned anything that I would bring forward again and he would often have that dialogue in advance of “what do you think about this? could we do this?”

It was great because I learned a lot from him on the construction side and sequencing. He gained some knowledge as well from the technical side of things that I provided.

Anita Helmers: Aside from the obvious technology shift in terms of drafting, was there any other monumental shift in the profession that you saw throughout your career so far?

Michelle Austin: I think technology has played a big role in it. From drawing on paper to drawing with AutoCAD and different programs and ArchiCAD and now Revit.

Who knows, in five or ten years we could be using the BIM model and not producing 2D drawings. We could just be handing over a BIM file that they can build from.

Who knows where it’s going to land.

Anita Helmers: Are there any strategies that you use specifically on site? I know for myself, I was definitely intimidated going to a job site that is typically male dominated. Is there any sort of strategies that you use when going out to sites and sitting through those site meetings?

Michelle Austin: When I was younger, I was at the same position where your presence isn’t there. Intimidation. You could be the only woman at the table in those meetings.

I do feel that’s changed. I think there’s a lot more respect for women in the industry.

For me, I found that listening, really listening, to the conversation and trying to understand the players at the table. You’ll pick up a lot by watching people’s body language, how they speak, what they speak about, what their professions are around that table.

When there is something that you know, like a code item, and you worked on the drawings or you’re defending the documents and what’s provided, standing your ground and having that confidence to say “hey, you’ve got to do it this way for these reasons.”

You have to lay out your case as to why and maintain that confidence. I think that goes a long way.

Anita Helmers: In terms of growth in your career, what was the hardest choice you’ve had to make?

Michelle Austin: I think the hardest choice for me was stepping back from doing the work.

I’ve gone through various stages in my career. I started off as a junior doing a lot of the drawings. Then I advanced into coordination. I did a lot of construction for years and years.

Stepping away from that and becoming more in a management and ownership position, running a company, and mentoring and training others was difficult.

Not that I don’t enjoy mentoring and training others. I do enjoy it. But it’s taking you away from what you were trained to do.

That was probably one of the most challenging decisions I’ve had to make in my career. Understanding that the things you’re passionate about, you don’t get to do as often once you step into that next level but there are other things you do, obviously.

Anita Helmers: How do you describe your role in shaping and supporting women in the office and profession?

Michelle Austin: It’s about leading by example.

Showing younger women that are coming into the office, regardless of their role, that there are opportunities.

I graduated as a technologist and here I am now, a director at one of the largest firms in Hamilton. I would never have thought that 25 or 30 years ago.

I had a great mentor in Joanne McCallum. I want to ensure that the experience she gave me, I’m passing on to the next group of people.

I like to ensure that we always have representation of women at every level. Senior leadership, senior professionals, intermediate, co-ops. I think that’s critical.

Anita Helmers: Looking forward, is there anything you’d like to see change?

Michelle Austin: I would love to see a female site superintendent.

I’ve seen women involved on project construction sites, often in roles like project coordinator or assistant.

I’ve never seen a woman in that leadership role as site superintendent.

It would be interesting to see that happen.

Anita Helmers: This has been a great conversation. Thank you.

Michelle Austin: Thank you. They’ve been great questions!