Women in architecture—or in any male-dominated field for that matter—can find navigating the workplace and the different ideals that come with it overwhelming, especially when cultures clash.
As a Hong Kong-born architect working in Australia, I’ve experienced this first hand throughout my entire career.
If I could turn back time, here are the eight pieces of advice I would swear by from day dot—on how to stay true to yourself, how to find certainty in an uncertain landscape, and how to overcome the challenges that come with balancing cultural complexities.
1. Work smarter, not longer
In the early years of my career, I thought success was about putting in long hours and working harder than everyone else. In my twenties, working past midnight wasn’t unusual for me. But did these long hours help my career and my creativity? No: Stepping back and strategising did.
It’s about focusing on what matters most—not getting trapped in a vicious cycle of working overtime. Find projects that align with your values, where you can make a meaningful impact.
2. Broaden your horizons
Replace the hours you’d spend working overtime to widen your horizons instead. It’s a tightrope of not becoming so overwhelmed with extracurriculars, of course. I still made sure I completed all of the work I was required to do, but I also stepped outside of the metaphorical office that was my comfort zone.
When I started teaching at universities, attending talks and openings, entering competitions, and volunteering my time to further my goal of doing humanitarian work in architecture, I developed a much broader perspective that allowed me to create the career I have today—one which I have always wanted.
3. Let your moral compass guide the way
In the long run, people and clients who value real outcome and authenticity will recognise the quality of your work. It may take longer, but it’s worth it.
When I doubled down on my belief that architecture should be used for the common good, I decided to volunteer to build houses in a slum in India to help the local community.
Without that trip, I may not have been led down the path to co-founding my own company with my husband David Kaunitz where we focus not only on good work, but on work that does good.
Follow your own path, and don’t let the noise around you distract you from what you believe in.
4. You don’t need to sacrifice your humility to be confident
Yes, you want your work to speak for itself. But how can your work do the talking if no one knows about it?
Coming from a cultural background where humility is emphasised, I have struggled with putting myself out there. Yet, as I’ve grown in my career, I’ve realised you can practice communicating your achievements and vision confidently, while still staying true to your humble nature.
Share your story and values with others—it opens doors to new opportunities and creates space for more meaningful connections.
5. Lean into your weaknesses
For a long time, I felt that my introverted nature was a weakness in the workplace. But when I started working on projects with communities, I realised my desire to listen more than I spoke was actually a strength.
On the volunteer trip in India, a local male team supervisor seemed to not take interest in talking or listening to the female team members and instead chose to ignore us. I decided to find some common ground and asked him about his family—learning about his two young daughters and his hopes for their future. These conversations helped him open up to me in a personal manner, which in turn helped make the collaborative working experience better for everyone involved.
Don’t be afraid to embrace what makes you different—it’s also what sets you apart.
6. People in your industry aren’t your competitors: they are your peers
Technical skills and hard work are important, but relationships are invaluable.
Take Louise Cox AO, for example. Cox is always inclusive and accessible, and provided me with an illuminating insight into what it was like to be a woman in architecture for her generation, juggling with family and work.
Cox worked through an even more gender-biased era than the one we live in today, and she inspires me every time I see her. Like many other women, she has taught me to surround myself with people who believe in my vision—and who can offer guidance.
Ultimately, you don’t have to navigate everything alone. Lean on the wisdom and experience of your peers.
7. Consider your long-term personal goals
This could be any myriad of things, but one of my long-term personal goals was to have children. To do so, I needed to build my career as much as possible first—especially the aforementioned industry relationships.
When my first baby was due, I had the fortune to live near a group of incredible young mothers in various creative pursuits that happened to also be in the early years of motherhood.
Dr Sam Spurr took the initiative to get us all together and with our babies in strollers and carriers, we would visit galleries, check out the best designed public libraries and parks, and discuss our own work.
It was truly such a supportive and productive group that helped me feel more in touch with both my personal and professional life.
8. Design your life like it’s a deliverable project
As architects, we’re trained to design spaces and buildings with care and intention. The same goes for any role where a deliverable project is at stake, yet we often forget to apply that same thinking to our own lives.
Don’t lose sight of designing your life in a way that makes you happy and fulfilled. Your career is important, but are your personal relationships and the time you spend with your loved ones.
At the end of the day, your life is the most important project you’ll ever work on.