International Women's Day 2026

International Women’s Day is a day of acknowledgement to the achievements of women all over the world, with the earliest gatherings dating back to the feminist movements in the early 1900’s. The 2026 #GivetoGain campaign ‘encourages a mindset of generosity and collaboration.’

At LK2, we are proud to have women employed in all aspects of our business. From Part II students, right through to Associates at the head of the business.

To celebrate, we caught up with Part II Architectural Assistant, Thia Blake, about her journey into architecture, the experiences shaping her career so far, and her perspective on the future of the profession.

How long have you worked at LK2?
I have worked at LK2 for just over a year and a half.

Are there any standout projects that you’ve worked on during your time at LK2 and why?
I am currently working on the development of a large Energy Centre for a commercial client. This has become an interesting project due to the nature of works surrounding the building which all feed into a cohesive project. The technical details of the structure and ensuring it feeds seamlessly with the remaining sites facilities and requirements, is a challenging aspect but it brings a different type of architecture which I haven’t experienced before, or thought I ever would.

What first drew you to architecture, and what’s kept you committed through Part I and Part II?
Initially, I enjoyed drawing the details of heritage buildings in my art classes for school which later transpired into pursuing architecture as a career. I enjoyed design studios where I was able to test concepts through sketching and model making, exploring key themes like sustainability alongside social and cultural values that architecture can address. Seeing how my projects developed through my university experience kept me committed to continue to allow my design concepts to become a resolved design when entering practice. During my Part I placement, I was able to experience how the concept drawings became physical spaces which encouraged me to continue my education and pursue my Part II.
 

Have you noticed any differences between expectations at university and in practice – particularly as a woman?
Throughout university, the classes and studios seemed very balanced between genders, however, in a lot of practices there is still typically a greater weight to a male dominant environment, particularly when projects get to working on site. This can seem daunting especially when you are required to actively engage in meetings or site discussions. During design studios, everyone is given a time to present their work and be heard with no interruption – this does not work the same in practice. Presenting work becomes a conversation, with different ideas coming together, if you want to be heard, don’t sit and wait for your turn, make sure to be engaged from the beginning and actively contribute. It is different to university, but it is not a bad thing – it allows for a more collaborative approach to design which is ultimately what architecture is supposed to be.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you personally?
To me International Women’s Day is about recognising and reflecting on the challenges so many women went through before me which has allowed me to pursue the career I am today. Typically, the construction industry is male dominant, but through years of progress for gender equality, I have been afforded the opportunity to work in this industry and feel safe and respected equal to any other person.

If you could give one piece of advice to any woman currently studying architecture or considering it, what would it be?
If you are thinking about studying architecture or in the process of studying architecture, a piece of advice I would give is to make sure you speak up and trust your ideas. Your perspective and opinions are just as valuable as anyone else’s. There are many successful women in the industry now, you don’t need to be concerned about being the odd one out. Trust your ideas and see them through to the end.

For more information about International Women’s Day, head to the official IWD website here.