Clare Wright

FIRST PROJECT Creating complex level changes requiring major excavation of our garden, as a child working with my father

SECTORS YOU WORK IN Special projects of any sort

DESIGN ETHOS To respond contextually to the client’s aspirations while ourselves aspiring to create something that touches the human spirit, whatever the budget or brief

BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION Because women in architecture have been the exception in a very male field, inevitably they are seen by some as archetypal stereotypes. This can mean being cast in a role: as helpless or overbearing, for example

WHAT WOULD MAKE WOMEN STAY? Most practices are small businesses (under 300 people) and invest little time or thought in management and personnel strategies. They have conventional attitudes and could be much more creative. When I worked from 8am to 3pm in a housing association, I learned to be very efficient and my employer had a great deal. So show good examples, such as John Lewis and the Civil Service

HOW TO MAKE IT WORK Make the most of the situation in which you find yourself. When I couldn’t get a job in an architects’ office after a career break, I worked at Circle 33 housing trust. It was the best architectural career move I could have made

CURRENT CHALLENGE The financial crisis

ON SEXISM People now know it isn’t acceptable. When I was young, minor(ish) sexual assault was par for the course

INSPIRATION Almost all the post-1960s practices doing interesting work had women founders or principals: Fosters, Rogers, Hopkins, Shalev and Evans. Perhaps women who chose to go into this field against the grain were especially talented or committed

BEST ADVICE EVER RECEIVED When you get knocked back, keep getting up again

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