International Women's Day 2023
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. This year’s theme is #EmbraceEquity – calling for a worldwide effort to be diverse, equitable and inclusive.
At LK2, we are proud to have women employed in all aspects of our business. From part II students on their work experience year, to architects, project leads, managers and consultants.
To celebrate, we caught up with Senior Architectural Technologist, Natalie Battye.
How long have you worked at LK2?
I joined the company in February 2016.
What does a typical day at work look like for you?
In a typical day I will generally spend my time working in Revit on current projects, documenting the plans, elevations, and sections for either planning applications or for tender or construction depending on the relevant stage of a project. Part of that work will be liaising with our client and consultant team either by phone or nowadays video conference. Part of my role includes researching products and materials and ensuring the design is compliant with building regulations, sustainable practices and other design standards.
Are there any standout projects that you’ve worked on during your time at LK2 and why?
One of my Favourite projects was Middlesex FA’s Headquarters at Rectory Park in Ealing, the project was the first London FA Parklife football Hub which provided landmark new facilities for the local community in a parkland setting. We had a fantastic team on the project, a really great builder and the client was wonderful, with fantastic enthusiasm which helped to make it all run very smoothly. The building itself is a park pavilion with a changing room wing and an office end with the community café and training rooms in the centre, I went back to see it after it had been up and running for a few years and it was thriving and had settled into its site really well which gives a great sense of satisfaction that the facility is delivering what it was designed to do and giving back to the community.
View the full project here.
Why do you think it’s important we celebrate international women’s day, especially in the architecture/construction sector?
Traditionally, as we all know only too well, construction and architecture were a Men’s field and it’s taken many years to see a significant change in that dynamic. While women have been involved for 30+ years in the industry I think it is still possible to see that there is still a higher proportion of Men and there are many reasons for that. For the women who have chosen to have careers in architecture and construction they are still the pioneers of the industry, as we all work to promote that there are lots varied roles in the industry that young girls and student graduates can consider, be they design or hands on construction trades and recognising that these women have chosen to challenge themselves with a non-traditional role.
How have you seen the industry change over your time with LK2, more specifically in terms of women working within the industry?
I think the change has been more gradual over a longer period of time, I do recall on one project I was the only female on the team while at design stage and while onsite; however, a current project that I’m working on has at least seven different female professionals involved at design stage, which I think is progress.
I think construction sites are also less inclined to look at a woman coming onto site as the 'Health and Safety inspector', and site attitudes and behaviours are changing for the better, linked with general societal changes and greater social inclusion. Schemes like considerate contractors and also the requirements of construction companies to report on their corporate social responsibility and equality laws have all meant that construction sites as work places are now much more welcoming places for women than the stereotypical building site of the past.
If you could give one piece of advice to any women looking to enter the world architecture and construction, what would it be?
Women bring a different perspective to the team, don’t be afraid to share your opinion.
For more information about International Women’s Day, head to the official IWD website here.