Architecture has traditionally been perceived as a rational and objective discipline, yet feminist perspectives challenge this notion by introducing subjectivity, collaboration, and ecological sensitivity into the field. By exploring gendered spaces, materiality, and critical spatial practices, feminist architecture reimagines design as an inclusive and transformative process.
A Feminist Critique of Architecture:
From the 1970s onward, feminist architects like Jennifer Bloomer introduced critiques of traditional practices, questioning the sterility of architectural drawings and embracing feminine elements.
'Design cannot be separated from the wider political landscape and from discussions about what is cut, what is sold, what is precious, what can go, how hard it is to replace things once gone, and finally what is of value.' (Brown, 2011)
The 1990s saw these ideas grow, with practices such as Muf emphasizing collaboration and participatory design. Projects shifted from creating stand-alone buildings to fostering environments where users and designers co-create spaces.
Critical Spatial Practice and Intersectionality:
Drawing on theorists like Lefebvre, feminist approaches to space examine how abstract representations (maps, plans) intersect with lived experiences. These practices challenge dominant social orders, advocating for spaces that empower and include marginalized voices.
Intersectionality—a framework connecting gender, race, and class—has become central to feminist architecture. It aligns with movements like Black Lives Matter and decolonization, urging architects to address systemic inequities and environmental crises through design.
Materiality and Ecology:
Feminist architects have redefined materiality as more than a technical element. Works like Sarah Wigglesworth’s Straw Bale House demonstrate how materials (dinner table) and processes (during and after the meal) can reshape architectural traditions. This approach integrates environmental consciousness with a feminist ethos, emphasizing sustainability and interconnectedness.
Feminist architecture is not just about designing spaces; it is about questioning and transforming the systems that shape our built environment. By embracing collaboration, materiality, and performative practices, feminist architects pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable future in design.
REFERENCES
Au, K. (1992). Tabbles of Bower. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13602365.2023.2279232#d1e446. by Jennifer Bloomer.
Brown, L. A. (2011). Feminist Practices : Interdisciplinary Approaches to Women in Architecture. Taylor & Francis Group. http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/portsmouth-ebooks/detail.action?docID=797526.. Created from portsmouth-ebooks.
Rendell, J. (2018, January 1). Essay: only resist — a feminist approach to critical spatial practice. Architectural Review, 1449, 8–21. British Library Document Supply Centre Inside Serials & Conference Proceedings. https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=06b98ded8af63184954eda78c10e48d8
Wigglesworth, S. (2001). The Disorder of the Dining Table. https://theauctioncollective.com/auctions/you-may-find-yourself/the-disorder-of-the-dining-table-128/
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