In 1996, the Minneapolis Star Tribune dubbed architecture a “gentleman’s club,” with only 10% female and/or minority membership. Change is occurring at the collegiate level; the percentage of women graduates from architecture schools now tops 40%. But licensed female practitioners still make up only one quarter of the profession. The number of principals or partners is remarkably small – about 1% – and the number of female “starchitects” is even smaller.
When asked to name a contemporary female architect, some – even many architecture students – might only be able to answer with “Zaha Hadid.” Such is the invisibility of all too many women in this male-dominated field.
How did the Driehaus Prize manage to pay tribute to a woman after only five years when it took the Pritzker Prize more than twenty to honor Ms. Hadid? Is this simply a way to solidify the Driehaus’ reputation as the “anti-Pritzker?” Was it a self-conscious decision – an effort to be politically correct? Not at all.
Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk has made a powerful impact in her three decades in the architectural profession. Designing more than two hundred communities in collaboration with her husband at their Miami-based firm DPZ and as cofounder of the Congress for New Urbanism, Ms. Plater-Zyberk has helped to change the face and content of architectural discourse and design.
It’s unfortunate that some see the partnership and the tandem nature of the award, especially given their marital status, as a negation of the “PZ” in DPZ. Her curriculum vitae includes the same Yale Masters of Architecture degree as her husband and a long list of awards and myriad publications. Yet the idea of coattails persists – a sad commentary on our culture. The work done by Andres Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk should be understood as the accomplishments of equal partners.
In addition, Plater-Zyberk has been the Dean of the University of Miami School of Architecture since 1995. She has made a lasting contribution as an educator, developing perceptive design talent that will perpetuate her mission of building communities and serving as a mentor to her students.
We should not celebrate the fact that the Driehaus committee has selected a woman to receive its 2008 award, but that it has selected this woman.
Samantha L. Salden
Photo Credits: EPZ--The Atlantic Online, Seaside Aerial--www.manhattan.edu
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