We explore
new ways how to approach architecture.
We are Architektky [Women in Architecture], the only community in the Czech Republic that unites and further educates women working in the fields related to built environment.
We help graduates of architectural and related fields to establish cooperation, develop professional skills and find solid ground for their further career.
Our goal is to achieve greater diversity in architectural representation, to open architecture towards diverse life paths and to co-create a kind, listening environment.
We create a supporting environment for common growth!
Mentoring
We invite renowned [women] professionals and to show us the way. We ask them, we listen, we discuss. We meet in small groups, in the studio or online.
Education
We organize lectures on marketing, pricing, psychology and other topics. We develop the skills needed for both business and personal satisfaction.
Networking
We also meet informally. For coffee, wine or online in the FB group Architektky. Together we solve what resonates most at the moment and we support each other.
In online world, we already have
more than 1200 members
and 100+ women have already attended our programs.
Why do we do it?
In Czech architectural faculties, over 60 % of all students identify themselves as women and each year, hundreds of them succesfully graduate.* However, only 20% of architects in leading positions in studios are women and the same goes for the position of city architects.** Where are these women professionals? And why do they make up only 35% of new members registered with Czech Chamber of Architects (ČKA)?***
They are visionaries at school, but in practice they are often hampered by phenomena such as unequal financial reward (gender pay gap), a glass ceiling or combining work with family care. **** We want to change that. We want to provide women further education, contacts and information so that they can more easily influence the building culture. And thus the appearance of the streets, cities and environment we all are living in.
* Data from study departments of all schools with recognized and related education according to ČKA.
** Data available from the ČKA website and from the websites of schools with recognized and related education according to ČKA.
*** 35 % represents the number of successfully authorized women architects only in recent years. The total number of authorized women architects is even smaller - about 25%. Data available from the ČKA website.
**** Research data Working conditions of young architects (ERA21 magazine, issue 03/2020)
Founding story
In February 2019, Adéla invited Alžběta for coffee. They did not know each other, each of them had different study path, but they were facing the same challenges. Both of them had just started their own architectural practice, were looking for advice for the beginning and asked themselves similar questions.
However, there was no professional organization to help. So Alžběta and Adéla started looking for answers together, and gradually became close friends.
They didn't want to keep their findings just to themselves, so they decided to create a community of women architects and other professionals who shape the environment around us.
Since then, the community has continued to grow. At the end of 2021, the organizational team was expanded by another Adéla and the registered NGO Architektky, z. s. was established.
Events
Past events (selection):
Education:
Mgr. Alžběta Protivanská - Work-life balanc in architecture
Mgr. Magdalena Čevelová - How to prize my work well?
Mgr. Iva Javorská, LL.M. - About conctracts and authorship
Mgr. Alice Červinková - How to built my body?
Mentoring:
...with Mgr. arch. Gabriela Kaprálová (ASGK Design)
...with Ing. arch. Alžběta Vrabcová (DMAE Architects)
...with MgA. Kateřina Šedá (Architect of year 2017)
...with Ing. arch. Regina Loukotová, PhD. (ARCHIP)
Media and news
Architektky in A2larm podcast
In May, Prague gallery VI PER opened our exhibition TRUTH X CARE: How is life for children and parents in Prague? In addition to Alžběta and Adéla, the authors interdisciplinary team also included Klára Brůhová, Karin Hoření and Jakub Plachý.
Listen to the podcast (in Czech)...
About Architektky in Bourání, Radio Wave
Alžběta and Klára Brůhová talked to Karolína Vránková about women in architecture not only from a contemporary but also from a historical perspective. Where do women disappear, what can we do about it, and what role does biological or symbolic sisterhood play in architecture?
Listen to us (in Czech)...
Architektky in Forbes
Forbes magazine has selected Architektky as one of 7 inspirational professional communities focused on women. We are in company of Femme Palette, Ženy v právu, Ženy v byznysu, Holky z marketingu, Minerva 21 and Ženy s.r.o.
Read the article (in Czech)...
Architektky among #grlpwr communities
Founder of Holky z marketingu Pavlína Louženská chose Architektky for LMC magazine as one of 7 women professional communitites which will give you a helping hand.
Read the article (in Czech)...
Architektky in Karel Janeček's accelerator
We were given the opportunity to participate as one of 10 teams in this year's 3-2-1 dílna social business accelerator, which is sponsored by the Karel Janeček Foundation. We were selected from 66 submitted projects!
Read more (in Czech)...
Architektky v Živé mesto podcast
In the podcast Živé mesto of Radio FM of the Slovak Radio, we talked about women in architecture and compared experiences from the Czech Republic, Slovakia and around the world.
Listen to us (in Czech)...
Architektky as panelists at the US Embassy
We participated as panelists in the discussion Women in architecture organized by the American Center at the US Embassy Prague. We debated with Amy Hetletvedt, Anna Švarc and Regina Loukotová.
Architektky as curators of ERA21 magazine
We curated the issue 03/2020 of the architectural magazine ERA21 with the subtitle Soil of Architecture. We focused on the working conditions of young architects and the opportunities they have after graduation.
Read more...
FAQ
1. Can I join Architektky community if I am a man or if I do not have a professional connection to the field of architecture?
Unfortunately, no. From the very beginning, Architektky have been based on the idea of a women professional community, and it is important for us to create a safe environment where we can confidently share sensitive topics related to our work and personal life.
2. I do not understand the idea of the women professional community. Do you have anything against men or do you think that a woman cannot assert herself?
Not at all. We believe that personal potential for enforcement is not related to gender. We fully respect and our male colleagues and partners in the profession and in life. However, we need a women-only environment to share the specific life experience that women have in our culture, and explore new paths and possibilities..
3. How can I be in touch with Architektky if I am not part of the community?
You can connect with us via our instagram, facebook page or subscribe to our newsletter. We look forward to you!
4. I want to support greater diversity in architectural representation. What can I do for it?
If you organize conferences, discussions, tenders or publications, you can focus on making your selection as diverse as possible. You may ask yourself the question: Have we selected representatives who have different life trajectories, different needs and/or come from different backgrounds?
5. We want to have a more balanced number of men and women speakers at the conference, but we cannot find any women. What do you recommend?
If you are looking for experts in the field of architecture and related fields, you can get inspired by our
Open Database of Women Architects.
6. I am an expert in the field of building culture. Can I join the Open Database of Women Architects?
Yes! Just fill out this form a and your data will be automatically copied to the database..
7. Can I financially support the activities of the Architektky?
Yes! You can send any donation to the account number of the registered association Architektky, z. s. 2202088599/2010. Thank you.
Contact:
Architektky, z. s.
Vostrovská 2058/25
Praha 6 – Dejvice, 160 00
IČO 140 52 334
IBAN: CZ14 2010 0000 0022 0208 8599
BIC/SWIFT: FIOBCZPPXXX
Executive Board:
Alžběta Brůhová
Adéla Pečlová
Adéla Vavříková
Meeting goals:
Our supporters:
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Author of logo: Lenka Juchelková
Author of poster: Oleksandra Derkach