2022 John Sutherland Award winner: Architecture+Women•NZ
L to r: Maria Chen (current Co-Chair), Lindley Naismith (past Co-Chair), Divya Purushotham (past Co-Chair), Elisapeta Heta (past Co-Chair), Lynda Simmons (Co-Founder and past Co-Chair), Anner Chong (current Co-Chair), Julie Wilson (Co-Founder), Megan Rule (Co-Founder and past Co-Chair)
L to r: Belinda Sutherland (Sutherland family representative, Jasmax), Judith Taylor (NZIA President)
L to r: Briar Sutherland (Sutherland family representative, RCP)
Lynda Simmons accepts the inaugural John Sutherland Practice Award on behalf of all current and past members of Architecture+Women NZ.
L to r: Elisapeta Heta, Lynda Simmons
L to r: Maria Chen, Anner Chong, Megan Rule
L to r: Lindley Naismith, Maria Chen, Anner Chong, Megan Rule
L to r: Lindley Naismith, Julie Wilson, Megan Rule
L to r: Divya Purushotham, Lynda Simmons, Elisapeta Heta
Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects, awarded the 2022 John Sutherland Practice Award to Architecture+Women•NZ.
Architecture+Women•NZ – the leading voice for equity in architecture in Aotearoa – has received the inaugural John Sutherland Practice Award. This award celebrates and acknowledges the influence and impact of individuals, groups or collectives on architecture and the built environment.
Architecture+Women•NZ has made a profound contribution since its inception in 2011. Lynda Simmons, Julie Wilson and Megan Rule formed Architecture+Women•NZ with the core aims of achieving visibility and inclusiveness for women within the industry, and creating equality across the profession.
In 2012, Elisapeta Heta (Ngātiwai, Ngāpuhi, Waikato Tainui, Sāmoan and Tokelauan whakapapa) joined the organisation and, the following year, it held the exhibition Between Silos. It was a response to Constructive Agenda – 60 Years of Women in Architecture in New Zealand, which, 20 years prior, had highlighted the lack of coverage and visibility of women architects.
But Architecture+Women•NZ’s work had only just begun. In 2014, a study by architectural historian Julia Gatley found female architects appeared just 14 times in New Zealand publications and books on architecture up until that time.
With a growing voice and membership, which has doubled to nearly 1000 since 2013, Architecture+Women•NZ has steadfastly shaped and influenced the conversation of diversity, inclusion and equity in architecture, and the ways in which practice adapts to these needs. Year on year, Architecture+Women•NZ has added to its impressive programme of awards and events, mentoring and workshops.
This year, it celebrated the release of Making Space: A History of New Zealand Women in Architecture edited by Elizabeth Cox, published by Massey University Press.
As well as its public-facing achievements, Architecture+Women•NZ works assiduously to advance progress through submissions to Parliament on bills such as pay equity, and in an advisory capacity in areas such as developing diversity.
Architecture+Women•NZ states that it “simply shines the spotlight on women working in the field of architecture, because it so often misses them”. The organisation does this and much more. The John Sutherland Practice Award acknowledges Architecture+Women•NZ for shining light on the work of its members and for its ongoing contribution to removing barriers within the profession, while benefiting all members of the profession.
To find out more about Architecture+Women•NZ head to their website.
