The Alternative List
Our first campaign worked to address the lack of recognition of the achievements of women in architecture through existing award structures. We began this conversation by turning our attention to the Royal Gold Medal. This award has since 1848 been given to any person or group who has had a significant influence ‘either directly or indirectly on the advancement of architecture.’
When we started our campaign in 2019, only one woman had received the medal in her own right, and no person who is Black had ever been granted the accolade. Yet there are countless women and ethnically diverse people who have made extraordinary and wonderful contributions to architecture.
Our The Alternative List project, a crowd-sourced list of women highlighted the many incredible women have been under acknowledged through history.
In August 2019 and 2020 we worked together to ensure many brilliant women were nominated for consideration for the Gold Medal award. We were delighted the RIBA subsequently granted the 2020 medal to Grafton Architects, lead by Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara and the 2021 medal to Sir David Adjaye.
“Part W and our friends nominated many women from diverse backgrounds for this award, to raise awareness of the fact that the award had up until now been granted to only one woman in her own right. Going forward we hope the industry will open its eyes to the way in which women and people from BAME and minority backgrounds are consistently overlooked when it comes to awards and recognition. We hope this is just the start of positive change.”
Our organisation has so far been driven by hard work, energy and commitment of an incredible team of professional women working in the field. We are always seeking to further our ability to record, share and disseminate the work of women. If you are able to donate to help us achieve this, please do so here
Our Campaigns
In Solidarity: An Open Letter on the murder of George Floyd
We, the Part W collective, speak out against the murder of George Floyd and the violent actions of the police. We stand in solidarity and call for others to join with us in shouting out that black lives matter.
Sarah Everard: In mourning, and ideas for change
Part W is appalled by the murder of Sarah Everard. As an action group of women working in the built environment, we‘re heartbroken by the seemingly casual attitudes of many in society towards the safety of women and girls in cities - and the failure to bring about change.