Architectural Success: A Gendered Perspective
No. 20 (2017-01-01)Author(s)
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Jan Smitheran
Abstract
This paper considers the meaning of success. Architecture defines success in terms of publications in journals, winning awards, and being promoted to director; however, it is clear that these indicators of talent are predominantly male-orientated; and this in itself affirms that success is intertwined with gender. This paper considers the position that different groups within architecture have in historical notions of success. In order to explore this idea students, academics, and architects were asked to respond to matched questions regarding success. This paper argues that the norms of success are already pluralized and that this insight provides a challenge to conventional and hegemonic understandings of success.
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