Top Female Architect, Zaha Hadid, Says Architecture Industry is Sexist

Zaha Hadid a leading architect of her generation responds to the sexist behavior experienced working in the competitive field in the United Kingdom, Salon reported.

"It is easier for me in European countries than it is here [in London]," Hadid said in an interview with The Oberserver. "There is a different dynamic. In the UK it is more difficult. They are very conservative. There is a skepticism and more misogynist behaviour here. Although, while there were people against me, there were also people living here who were incredibly supportive."

Hadid's always been drawn to more residential projects than commercial mainly because she finds women are directed to work with interior shapes. 

"It is a very tough industry and it is male-dominated, not just in architectural practices, but the developers and the builders too," Hadid said. "I can't blame the men, though. The problem is continuity. Society has not been set up in a way that allows women to go back to work after taking time off. Many women now have to work as well as do everything at home and no one can do everything. Society needs to find a way of relieving women."

According to a survey in the Architects Journal, 20 percent of all registered architects are women and in an interview with women architects, the survey found two-thirds of the women endured bullying from men. In addition, 60 percent experienced their clients did not value their expertise or respect their authority. 

Hadid is the founder of Zaha Hadid Architects. In 2004, she was awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize and setting your eyes on one of her modern dimensional masterpieces is like setting foot in the 30th century. Among her dynamic pieces include the MAXXI: National Museum of 21st Century Arts in Rome, Italy and the BMW Central Building in Leipzig, Germany.