Feminist by Design is a collective that investigates design from a feminist perspective- and explores how voices, values and visibility of women contribute to an inclusive architectural paradigm. It is led by Sumita Singha and Arianna Scaioli.
This project proposes design and placemaking from a feminist perspective. Holistic feminist design practice is not just about women’s world view but is inclusive, practical, ecological and beautiful. Following on from the first practice-based course, Women in Architecture, led by Sumita, assisted by Arianna, at the Politecnico di Milano, have arisen awareness-raising, pragmatic, and advocacy actions. These include an exhibition, a series of lectures in the UK and abroad, two published books about women in architecture, and a live project to transform spaces from a feminist perspective, creating a spatial manifesto that aspires to become a toolkit for implementing feminist design.
Image: Building 11, Leonardo Campus.
Sumita Singha
Sumita is an award winning architect, teacher and writer. Sumita is currently the RIBA Board Trustee for Education. Sumita founded Architects For Change, the Equality forum at RIBA. Sumita is a trustee of three built environment charities. She has taught architecture for over 25 years and is the author of many publications on architecture, including two books about women in architecture. Sumita received an OBE for services to architecture in 2021.
Arianna Scaioli
Arianna Scaioli is an architect based in Milan, and a Ph.D. candidate at the Politecnico di Milano (Italy) in Architectural, Urban, and Interior Design (Department of Architecture and Urban Studies). Her research explores the spatialisation of gender equality and how this can shape the built environment. She is the author of several publications and participated in international seminars and conferences. She works as a teaching assistant at design studios and international workshops and is a co-supervisor of Master's theses.
