Women’s History Month
Women in Architecture: the Stories of Sedgewick + Ferweda’s Leading Ladies
Traditionally, architecture has always been a male-dominated field, spanning nearly every level in the profession from licensed architects to designers/drafters and project managers. Going back through the years, seeing women in architecture and/or design courses was a rarity at nearly every college. Oftentimes, men have made up more than 80 percent of students and professionals, so seeing women in a high-level position in the professional world used to be few and far between.
There is no doubt that women continue to face challenges in the STEAM area of study: Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics; however, those roadblocks – at least during the past two decades – have been slowly removed from the paths of many women looking to make a living in traditionally male-dominated spaces.
Sedgewick + Ferweda Architects currently has four incredibly intelligent, talented, driven and passionate women in the office – and we’re proud to highlight the stories of Brianna Fuller, AIA; Annie Kufuor, Assoc. AIA; Lauren Meyer, Assoc. AIA; and Bailey Ramirez, Assoc. AIA.
Each one of them has contributed to Sedgewick + Ferweda’s recent growth in so many invaluable ways.
“As we all know, women’s and men’s brains are wired differently,” said Fuller. “Women tend to be more organized.”
Today, in 2024, we’re seeing increases like never before. According to Pew Research, women make up 50 percent of the STEAM workforce compared to their 47 percent holding of the general workforce.
Overall, the statistics never really discouraged Fuller, Kufuor, Meyer, or Ramirez. They knew what they wanted to do and were willing to put forth their best efforts. They continue to attend seminars, AIA training and other related educational courses in order to perfect their skills and better serve their clients.
So men dominate architecture? That’s what they say anyway.
But not at Sedgewick + Ferweda Architects, where the women have made incredible contributions to their firm and their clients, all while balancing marriages, children, and life at home.
They’re not secretaries, assistants, or receptionists.
They’re an architect, designers, and project managers.
“They’ve all been valuable members of our firm and will continue to help us move forward,” said Jeffrey Ferweda, Principal in Charge of Sedgewick + Ferweda Architects. “They all bring diverse skills to the table and work well together. I couldn’t be happier to have them.”
Family-inspired touch
In high school, Lauren Meyer was voted “Most Motherly” during her Senior Oscar Night Award ceremony. Looking back, it all makes perfect sense to Meyer, who has been in architecture for roughly a decade – the past year at Sedgewick + Ferweda. She’s always willing to help and support her coworkers, saying that everyone works best with adequate instruction and guidance.
Meyer has always been interested in designing homes that families could enjoy – a place suited for mom, dad and children – another example of her motherly nature. As a child, the interest in architecture and design was sparked when her parents discussed building a new home.
“At one point, I thought I wanted to be an interior designer but wasn’t sure about my future (in that field),” said Meyer. “We moved when I was in third grade and my parents were considering building a house. We ended up with this house plan book that I just devoured. I loved imagining people walking through the home to go do laundry or where they would read their books and watch TV.”
Still in elementary school, Meyer would draw her own house plans. She would study home furnishings in JC Penney catalogs, figuring out how to put together the ideal home.
“I was obsessed with homes,” she said with a laugh. “That’s really the best catalyst that I can pinpoint.”
Meyer’s affinity for family and design have led to a career evolution. Like her female counterparts at Sedgewick + Ferweda, she’s also recognized as a highly skilled professional. Meyer gets excited about all projects that come across her desk, but she’s particularly interested in those involving early childhood.
“I really love early childhood,” she said. “I’m very passionate about what early childhood means – and what they need to be supported.”
That’s her motherly instinct showing itself, no doubt about that.
Her passion for family togetherness is also clearly evident. She loves being involved with projects that focus on churches, a gathering place for families.
“I haven’t done a whole lot, but I do like church projects,” she said. “The client makes me excited. They have been working hard on bringing their dream to fruition, some projects have been in the works for 15-20 years. They’ve been saving and planning, then I become the person that helps them get to their dream. I want to take care of my clients; this is a pivotal process for them.”
Being such a “mom” in a male-dominated field was never really a concern for Meyer, although she was aware of the “significant gap” in male-to-female numbers.
“It did not occur to me that it was a male-dominated field until my campus tour at Lawrence Tech University,” she said. “They told me the ratio was 1-to-4, women to men. The ratio isn’t as extreme anymore. And even then, it didn’t feel it was as extreme … but later became very stark that it was predominantly male-dominated. I was naive and didn’t realize that. You hear it’s male-dominated, but not until you experience it does it hit home.”
Was it ever intimidating?
“No, but there’s the practicality of it. I’ve had fantastic male mentors who’ve taught me so much and I so appreciate their knowledge, skill, and commitment to teaching me,” she said. “But there is just the reality of what it’s like to be a working mom and a young female in a male’s world, and some instances require an established female’s perspective.”
Becoming a mom really opened her eyes, making Meyer realiz
e that scheduling would take priority in her life.
“I think motherhood really highlighted it. It taught me a lot about how to be a sturdy yet flexible member of this field, relying on the necessity of organized calendar invites, clearly communicating with my amazing husband about daycare drop off, who’s taking sick kids to doctor’s appointments, and what late night meetings I need him to cover the homebase for, etc.,” she said. “At the end of the day, I’m grateful to have found myself at a firm that supports my personal life, but I still feel driven to prove that I can show up and be a great employee, even when it’s ‘Sick February’. So, no, it’s never been intimidating … maybe a little frustrating at times, but never intimidating.”