0:00:17.148,0:00:21.202
"I want this to be a gentlemen's club.

0:00:21.930,0:00:25.360
Over here, I want to have[br]a long, wooden bar.

0:00:25.621,0:00:28.376
Over there, I want[br]a comfortable seating area

0:00:28.376,0:00:29.836
and a small kitchen.

0:00:30.272,0:00:33.475
Downstairs, I want to have[br]rooms for massages

0:00:33.905,0:00:37.861
and maybe some geishas[br]for the gentlemen's entertainment."

0:00:39.259,0:00:42.303
I realize that what my client[br]is basically describing to me

0:00:42.303,0:00:46.093
is a very fancy locker room[br]for powerful men.

0:00:46.355,0:00:49.122
I felt my blood starting to boil,[br]and I knew then and there

0:00:49.122,0:00:52.572
there is no way I can be[br]the architect of such a project.

0:00:53.266,0:00:55.987
But still, I had to ask him one question:

0:00:57.270,0:01:01.840
We're in 2017,[br]in the middle of New York City.

0:01:02.030,0:01:05.581
Why wouldn't you consider[br]having this a women's club instead?

0:01:06.781,0:01:12.011
His answer was short and simple[br]and completely caught me off guard.

0:01:13.001,0:01:17.519
"Interesting you ask," he said.[br]"My wife asked me the same thing."

0:01:17.996,0:01:21.430
"I really wouldn't mind it,[br]but I don't think a woman

0:01:21.430,0:01:25.707
would be able to pay[br]the high membership fee

0:01:25.707,0:01:27.987
I intend to charge here."

0:01:29.387,0:01:31.290
Well, this was obviously not true,

0:01:31.290,0:01:35.200
as New York houses maybe[br]the most successful women in the world.

0:01:35.563,0:01:38.399
I was shocked that these[br]biased assumptions still happen

0:01:38.399,0:01:42.899
and people want to create spaces like this[br]that promote gender inequality.

0:01:43.674,0:01:47.794
I obviously never took on this project,[br]and neither did the firm I was working at.

0:01:48.166,0:01:51.816
But there's a good chance[br]another architect would have.

0:01:52.234,0:01:55.974
And these types of projects[br]will continue to be built.

0:01:57.317,0:01:59.772
Being a woman[br]in a very masculine profession

0:01:59.772,0:02:01.303
is a challenge.

0:02:01.303,0:02:05.114
Architecture is often referred to[br]as "the boys' club."

0:02:05.114,0:02:06.804
Rings familiar?

0:02:07.176,0:02:10.335
Many times, I find myself[br]the only woman at the conference table

0:02:10.335,0:02:12.504
and the only woman[br]at the construction site.

0:02:12.504,0:02:15.650
There have been times[br]when I expressed my opinion

0:02:15.650,0:02:19.047
and I was shushed[br]with a hand gesture to my face

0:02:19.047,0:02:22.386
or explained by a man[br]to the rest of the room

0:02:22.386,0:02:26.146
that I was very opinionated,[br]stubborn, and bossy.

0:02:26.146,0:02:29.126
"Bossy." You've got to love that word.

0:02:30.482,0:02:33.651
Architecture is often associated[br]with the physical act of building,

0:02:33.651,0:02:35.447
which is mostly linked with men.

0:02:35.858,0:02:36.798
For many years,

0:02:36.798,0:02:41.158
women were not even allowed[br]to study architecture in universities.

0:02:41.763,0:02:45.078
But today, about 50% of architecture[br]students are in fact women,

0:02:45.078,0:02:46.079
yet,

0:02:46.079,0:02:49.632
Can you guess how many[br]out of the top architecture firms

0:02:49.632,0:02:51.922
in the world today are led by women?

0:02:53.264,0:02:57.110
Three. Only three out of the top 100.

0:02:57.110,0:02:59.051
You can just Google "famous architects,"

0:02:59.051,0:03:01.761
and you'll immediately see[br]what I'm talking about.

0:03:02.013,0:03:05.686
It is safe to say that most[br]women architects around the world

0:03:05.686,0:03:07.615
don't get to higher positions.

0:03:07.615,0:03:11.227
And they number much fewer[br]when it comes to decision-making roles,

0:03:11.227,0:03:15.017
in firms and also on city boards,[br]commissions, and councils.

0:03:15.017,0:03:17.560
When some are being recognized,

0:03:17.560,0:03:20.636
they're often honored[br]as "women architects."

0:03:20.636,0:03:23.285
They're not just architects[br]like the men are recognized,

0:03:23.285,0:03:28.725
as if we are in a separate league[br]and we can't really compete with the men.

0:03:29.319,0:03:33.031
But why should you care that[br]there are not enough women architects?

0:03:33.348,0:03:34.443
Because it means

0:03:34.443,0:03:38.402
that the majority of the built environment[br]we live in today around the world

0:03:38.402,0:03:40.212
was designed by men -

0:03:40.712,0:03:43.721
mostly white men, age 45 and up.

0:03:43.721,0:03:45.673
They may be brilliant,

0:03:46.270,0:03:51.539
but research shows it is human nature[br]to plan and design from self-experience.

0:03:51.957,0:03:56.168
And when one narrow demographic[br]is the main planner and designer,

0:03:56.168,0:03:59.120
it affects each and every one of us

0:03:59.120,0:04:01.207
on a daily basis.

0:04:01.207,0:04:03.927
It affects how we feel when we're at home

0:04:03.927,0:04:06.387
or when we walk down the city streets

0:04:06.804,0:04:08.854
or even at the office.

0:04:09.589,0:04:12.254
For example, imagine[br]how our built environment would look

0:04:12.254,0:04:15.124
if it was designed by elderly people.

0:04:15.618,0:04:18.118
We would have[br]much more places to sit, right?

0:04:19.065,0:04:21.722
And how about if it was[br]designed by millennials?

0:04:21.722,0:04:24.992
We would have charger spots[br]and selfie stations everywhere.

0:04:26.136,0:04:28.027
And if it was designed by parents -

0:04:28.027,0:04:31.193
who took an active and equal role[br]in childcare, obviously -

0:04:31.918,0:04:34.297
maybe the sidewalks would be wider,

0:04:34.534,0:04:37.819
and the kindergartens, offices,[br]and places like the post office

0:04:38.150,0:04:40.341
would be found closer together

0:04:40.341,0:04:44.111
to help make those busy days[br]a bit easier to manage.

0:04:45.050,0:04:49.085
When our built environment is good[br]and fits our needs,

0:04:49.085,0:04:50.672
we don't really notice it.

0:04:50.672,0:04:53.710
Kind of like we don't overthink[br]our body when it is healthy.

0:04:53.710,0:04:56.957
But when there are problems,[br]we just know it.

0:04:56.957,0:05:03.167
We feel unsafe. We feel uncomfortable.[br]We feel frustrated.

0:05:04.690,0:05:07.433
Good architecture is more than[br]just beauty and aesthetics,

0:05:07.433,0:05:12.953
it is when our built environment is[br]tailored to our personal, everyday rituals

0:05:12.953,0:05:15.306
but it must come[br]from a diverse point of view,

0:05:15.306,0:05:19.986
or in other words,[br]it must be equality-driven architecture.

0:05:21.494,0:05:24.961
So I believe that when more women[br]would influence the built environment,

0:05:24.961,0:05:28.253
there will be fewer dark or unlit streets.

0:05:28.253,0:05:30.467
The diaper-changing tables[br]in public bathrooms

0:05:30.467,0:05:35.157
would always be found[br]in both the men and the women toilets.

0:05:35.157,0:05:36.387
Underground -[br](Laughter)

0:05:36.387,0:05:39.297
(Applause)

0:05:42.484,0:05:45.949
Underground parking lots[br]may look completely different

0:05:45.949,0:05:50.509
because their designers would consider[br]safety as their number-one priority.

0:05:51.103,0:05:54.283
(Applause)

0:05:55.131,0:06:01.514
And glass, transparent staircases[br]in fancy stores will just not exist

0:06:01.514,0:06:04.544
because women also wear skirts, you know.

0:06:05.443,0:06:07.753
(Applause)

0:06:08.503,0:06:11.769
When design decisions are made[br]by a narrow demographic,

0:06:11.769,0:06:14.671
it unintentionally[br]treats people differently.

0:06:14.671,0:06:15.831
This has a name.[br]

0:06:15.831,0:06:18.521
It is called "discrimination by design,"

0:06:18.521,0:06:22.231
and it affects various groups[br]and minorities in societies.

0:06:22.729,0:06:27.979
From the poor to different ethnic groups,[br]to the elderly, to the LGBTQ community,

0:06:27.979,0:06:29.694
and to women.

0:06:30.228,0:06:34.684
So first, we have to agree that diversity[br]of architects and designers is important.

0:06:34.684,0:06:39.564
And next, we must realize that women[br]are in fact not a minority group

0:06:39.564,0:06:42.441
but actually are half of the population,[br]

0:06:42.441,0:06:45.951
and that gender equality[br]is a good place to start.

0:06:46.971,0:06:49.941
(Applause)

0:06:53.161,0:06:57.969
Imagine how different our world would look[br]if the people who design it

0:06:57.969,0:07:02.730
would reflect the diversity[br]of the people they design for.

0:07:04.019,0:07:07.079
(Applause)

0:07:07.634,0:07:10.888
All of the examples I just gave[br]can be an amazing change

0:07:10.888,0:07:14.368
and yet seem a bit small.

0:07:15.238,0:07:17.502
I believe that[br]only by thinking big and far,

0:07:17.502,0:07:19.681
we can really make changes happen,

0:07:19.681,0:07:25.010
so when I got back from New York,[br]I decided to turn "bossy" into "boss"

0:07:25.730,0:07:27.092
and open my own firm -

0:07:27.092,0:07:28.455
(Laughter)[br]Thank you.

0:07:28.455,0:07:31.465
(Applause)

0:07:33.279,0:07:34.705
And open my own firm

0:07:34.705,0:07:38.640
that is designed to combine architecture[br]with innovation and gender-equality ideas.

0:07:38.908,0:07:42.545
I made it my mission[br]to not only become a top architect

0:07:42.545,0:07:47.135
but to do so by actively working[br]for a cause I care so deeply about,

0:07:47.135,0:07:49.257
which is gender equality.

0:07:49.645,0:07:51.962
The very thing that held me back

0:07:51.962,0:07:55.020
will now be the thing[br]that pushes me forward.

0:07:55.695,0:07:59.104
So in the name of thinking big,[br]I want to tell you

0:07:59.104,0:08:04.540
about a rather unique international[br]architecture competition I took part in

0:08:05.080,0:08:07.890
and had the opportunity[br]to design a settlement ...

0:08:08.761,0:08:10.421
on Mars.

0:08:11.288,0:08:14.068
(Applause)

0:08:14.754,0:08:16.255
You're probably thinking,[br]

0:08:16.255,0:08:19.082
What does Mars have to do[br]with equality-driven architecture?

0:08:19.082,0:08:22.205
Well, I found this competition fascinating

0:08:22.205,0:08:26.921
and decided to use Mars[br]as an opportunity to experiment

0:08:26.921,0:08:30.501
with what equality-driven[br]architecture could look like.

0:08:30.501,0:08:34.368
And I will show you how, but first,[br]I want to tell you why.

0:08:35.301,0:08:36.973
If I were to ask you right now

0:08:36.973,0:08:42.019
to imagine a world and society[br]as far into the future as you can,

0:08:42.962,0:08:45.687
you'll probably be thinking[br]about things you know

0:08:45.687,0:08:49.707
or places you've been to that may have[br]been there long before you were born

0:08:50.168,0:08:52.683
or even things you've seen in movies.

0:08:52.683,0:08:56.724
You'll be doing that because it is hard[br]to truly let go from what we know.

0:08:56.724,0:09:00.342
But if I were to ask you[br]to imagine this future

0:09:00.342,0:09:04.046
on a far foreign planet like Mars

0:09:04.719,0:09:08.109
and ask you things like[br]"What would you take with you?"

0:09:08.109,0:09:11.472
or "What would be the things[br]you would choose to leave behind?"

0:09:11.982,0:09:14.857
I'm guessing you will not find[br]these questions intimidating

0:09:14.857,0:09:16.606
but, rather, exciting

0:09:16.606,0:09:19.461
and maybe have some good[br]and innovative ideas.

0:09:19.461,0:09:21.303
You see, the Martian environment

0:09:21.303,0:09:24.268
is very harsh and extremely[br]different than Earth,

0:09:24.268,0:09:27.708
which allowed me to really go far[br]with my imagination.

0:09:28.442,0:09:29.824
So for my Martian settlement,

0:09:29.824,0:09:33.671
I decided to explore[br]the pure geometric shape of the circle.

0:09:34.268,0:09:37.509
I found that circular shapes[br]of building complexes

0:09:37.509,0:09:40.214
provides a natural sense of unity.

0:09:40.645,0:09:44.394
Think about the way[br]people sit around the campfire

0:09:44.394,0:09:46.884
or sit around the table,[br]there is no one seat

0:09:46.884,0:09:49.088
that is more special[br]than the next, right?

0:09:49.088,0:09:52.169
So, in that sense, the circle is[br]a magnificent structural way

0:09:52.169,0:09:54.099
to promote equality.

0:09:54.847,0:09:57.725
It is also practical[br]for defense against danger,

0:09:57.725,0:10:01.355
like the shape of walls or water channels[br]guarding medieval cities

0:10:01.355,0:10:03.685
like Milan or Paris.

0:10:04.023,0:10:06.229
It was used in different ways[br]back in history,

0:10:06.229,0:10:10.719
but as power systems such as religion[br]and governance came into play,

0:10:11.283,0:10:15.084
both needing large, landmark buildings[br]that would stand out from the rest -

0:10:15.517,0:10:18.568
and both also typically led[br]by one narrow demographic -

0:10:19.079,0:10:22.319
the circular architecture was left behind.

0:10:23.407,0:10:26.038
If you were to walk around[br]these circular settlements -

0:10:26.038,0:10:28.548
which are kind of like[br]donut-shaped, right? -

0:10:28.548,0:10:31.890
you would notice that the public functions[br]are always in the center,

0:10:31.890,0:10:35.827
and they're surrounded by the private,[br]the residential areas.

0:10:35.827,0:10:39.351
In that sense, the private is[br]always overlooking the public,

0:10:39.351,0:10:44.561
which helps to eliminate unwatched[br]and therefore unsafe areas.

0:10:46.303,0:10:49.606
Another thing that can be unsafe[br]looking from the equality lens

0:10:49.606,0:10:52.476
are means of mobility,[br]both indoor and out.

0:10:52.992,0:10:56.971
Indoor means of mobility[br]are elevators and staircases,

0:10:56.971,0:10:59.331
which are usually closed spaces

0:10:59.331,0:11:03.217
that can bring uncomfortable encounters[br]between different genders.

0:11:03.982,0:11:07.490
The Martian low gravity[br]allowed me to eliminate both things:

0:11:07.490,0:11:09.688
get rid of the closed spaces,

0:11:09.688,0:11:14.088
and also benefit from a more compact[br]and efficient floor plan.

0:11:15.543,0:11:18.027
By basing my architecture[br]on the ability of humans

0:11:18.027,0:11:21.351
to jump higher with the help of machines[br]I call "suction boosters"

0:11:21.351,0:11:23.588
[that] I placed on ceiling corners,

0:11:23.588,0:11:26.282
people can now jump from floor to floor.

0:11:27.439,0:11:31.789
How often do architects on Earth question[br]the existence of elevators and staircases?

0:11:32.366,0:11:35.766
Let's question outdoor[br]transportation as well.

0:11:36.496,0:11:39.535
We can avoid altogether[br]the idea of underground parking,

0:11:39.535,0:11:41.428
which can be unsafe,

0:11:41.428,0:11:45.814
avoid traffic and pollution[br]and also avoid unwanted physical contact

0:11:45.814,0:11:49.938
that can result from crowding[br]on public transportation.

0:11:50.498,0:11:54.810
Instead, we can travel in electronically[br]operated tunnels underground,

0:11:54.810,0:11:57.455
choosing who we travel with.

0:11:57.455,0:12:01.759
You see, the Martian settlement,[br]which offers a clean slate,

0:12:01.759,0:12:04.371
helps us experiment freely

0:12:04.371,0:12:07.988
and truly understand[br]the benefits of change.

0:12:09.706,0:12:12.026
I ended up not winning the competition -

0:12:12.026,0:12:13.590
(Laughter)

0:12:13.590,0:12:16.580
(Applause)

0:12:18.019,0:12:21.179
but what I did gain[br]is this new perspective

0:12:21.179,0:12:24.928
and these three[br]equality lessons from Mars.

0:12:25.728,0:12:29.298
Lesson number one:[br]bypass cognitive fixations.

0:12:30.015,0:12:33.543
I realized I could use Mars[br]as an alternative channel

0:12:33.543,0:12:35.757
to think and talk about things

0:12:35.757,0:12:40.278
that otherwise were too uncomfortable[br]or complicated to imagine,

0:12:40.278,0:12:43.108
just like when I asked you[br]to imagine the far future.

0:12:44.023,0:12:46.296
Thinking of our life[br]on a whole different planet

0:12:46.296,0:12:50.286
can be a tool to help us[br]get past cognitive fixations,

0:12:50.286,0:12:52.775
which is when we only act[br]from what we know,

0:12:52.775,0:12:54.873
and we do this unconsciously.

0:12:54.873,0:12:57.749
So, next time you encounter such a block,

0:12:57.749,0:13:01.236
try to use an example[br]outside of your everyday life.

0:13:01.236,0:13:03.986
I can lend you my Mars if you want.

0:13:05.051,0:13:06.370
Lesson number two:

0:13:06.370,0:13:09.754
equality-driven architecture[br]is an actual thing.

0:13:10.360,0:13:12.614
My Martian settlement offers one option

0:13:12.614,0:13:16.307
as to how equality-driven[br]architecture could look like.

0:13:16.556,0:13:19.501
It is one out of many possible outcomes

0:13:19.501,0:13:24.343
to both looking at the built environment[br]from a woman's perspective

0:13:24.343,0:13:28.383
and also to what happens[br]when we step outside our comfort zone.

0:13:29.236,0:13:30.588
How else could it look like?

0:13:30.588,0:13:34.248
Well for that, we'll first need[br]a true diversity of architects.

0:13:34.851,0:13:37.111
And finally, lesson number three:

0:13:37.786,0:13:39.191
why wait?

0:13:39.741,0:13:42.615
I personally believe[br]that the day is not far

0:13:43.081,0:13:46.561
when we will be faced[br]with some tough sociological questions

0:13:46.561,0:13:48.874
regarding actual life on Mars.

0:13:48.874,0:13:52.431
And when this day comes,[br]we have to be confident

0:13:52.431,0:13:56.560
that this reality on Mars[br]has equality written all over it

0:13:56.560,0:13:59.311
and also know exactly how to get there.

0:13:59.751,0:14:01.950
But if we know how to get there,

0:14:01.950,0:14:05.991
What stops us making this equal society[br]a reality here on Earth?

0:14:07.112,0:14:09.890
We are born into architecture.

0:14:10.371,0:14:13.108
It doesn't matter[br]if it is in a city hospital

0:14:13.108,0:14:15.585
or a village or a camp;

0:14:15.585,0:14:18.835
it was designed and laid out by someone.

0:14:19.237,0:14:22.075
We go through life being influenced[br]by our built environment

0:14:22.075,0:14:25.585
and never stop and ask[br]"Is it good enough for me?"

0:14:25.921,0:14:26.970
At the end of the day,

0:14:26.970,0:14:30.381
we are here on our blue planet[br]for a relatively short period of time,

0:14:30.381,0:14:33.103
so why wouldn't you demand

0:14:33.103,0:14:36.921
that this life would be planned[br]perfectly for you?

0:14:37.459,0:14:42.169
And it will only happen[br]when diversity will work for diversity.

0:14:42.841,0:14:47.711
Mars, the Red Planet,[br]is not so far from humanity's reach.

0:14:48.326,0:14:49.880
But why wait until we get there

0:14:49.880,0:14:54.388
when we can start the change[br]right here, right now?

0:14:55.211,0:14:56.205
Thank you.

0:14:56.205,0:14:59.205
(Applause)