I know. I’m ruining the special honor that the Board of Directors for the American Institute of Architects (AIA) has bestowed upon Julia Morgan, FAIA. In fact, last Thursday, December 12, 2013 was an extremely significant day for women architects when finally, after more than 100 years, yes, a century of awarding men the coveted AIA Gold Medal – “the [architecture] profession’s highest honor that an individual can earn” – a women has been given the award.
Julia Morgan, FAIA, the architect behind Hearst Castle, Asilomar YWCA, St. John’s Presbyterian Church and hundreds of other prominent and exceptional buildings has been named as the first woman to win the AIA Gold Medal. It’s far from an honor, especially for women. In fact, it continues to perpetuate the stigma that women are not as talented as men. Why? Because she’s been dead for more than half a century. When I told my daughter about my post today, she replied, “Well how many live women did they have to choose from, probably not many.” (Scroll down to see live women they could have chosen from via ApartmentTherapy.com). On the contrary, but that’s what this kind of “prestigious honor” continues to perpetuate. Of the nearly 70 winners over the years, only about a handful of men were awarded the Gold Medal posthumously. The first a woman receives hers and they can’t even make her alive so that she can can make a statement at the national banquet.
I’m also going to take issue with Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) who apparently RECOMMENDED Julia Morgan, says the AIA press release:
“Julia Morgan is unquestionably among the greatest American architects of all time and a true California gem,” said Senator 
Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) in her recommendation letter. “Morgan’s legacy has only grown over the years. She was an architect of remarkable breadth, depth, and consistency of exceptional work, and she is widely known by the quality of her work by those who practice, teach, and appreciate architecture.”
ApartmentTherapy.com’s “10 Talented Women Architects” includes three non-Americans, so to help the AIA, I’ve taken those women out. Now there are seven choices for next year.
While no one would argue the enormous contribution of Julia Morgan, the incredible slight to women is so egregious, it can’t be ignored. It truly is disgusting.
Thanks to ApartmentTherapy.com for this list.
- Maya Lin: Best known as the designer of the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial in Washington, DC.
- Jeanne Gang: This Chicago-based architect has produced the recent green skyscraper, Aqua, that’s earned her international attention.
- Michelle Kaufmann: California-based green prefab home designer. She designed for the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry.
- Rocio Romero: Missouri-based designer is well known for her minimalist prefab homes.
- Zoka Zola: This Chicago-based architect created a a zero-energy house.
- Winka Dubbeldam: She’s the principal of New York-based well-known for her contemporary loft renovations, and her work has been exhibited at MOMA and the Venice Biennale.
- Yen Ha and Michi Yanagishita: Yen and Michi are the principals behind Front Studio, one of the only Asian-women owned architectural partnerships in New York City.
Source: ApartmentTherapy.com