Alison Brooks, principal and creative director of Alison Brooks Architects London, image via nickybm.blogspot.com.tr

Alison Brooks is the principal and creative director of Alison Brooks Architects London, is recognised as one of the leading architects of her generation and talked about ''women in architecture''. Brooks named as Woman Architect of the Year by The Architects' Journal.  A fellow University of Waterloo grad, Brooks moved to the UK and started Alison Brooks Architects in 1996.  The firm jointly won the the RIBA Stirling Prize in 2008 for Accordia, a high density housing project in Cambridge, UK. 

Accordia ABA02: The Brass Building / Alison Brooks Architects, image courtesy of Alison Brooks Architects

''Women in architecture'' is a never-ending issue that will be discussed  thoroughly by public, architecture ciritics and architects. The positions of women are always seeking new ways of presenting the woman in architecture field like the fresh news as we published it two days ago -’’Women In Architecture’’ Is The New Focus Of New Television Series. Alison Brooks as an inspiring person in architecture and says that '' I think I was always very aware of buildings when I was growing up in Welland in Ontario, Canada, because my mother really appreciated all the arts and she was always making an effort to open my eyes to how great architecture could be.''

Herringbone Houses /Alison Brooks Architects, image courtesy of Alison Brooks Architects

For London's architecture, Brooks adds that ''there is a growing awareness that we should be building heritage buildings of the future and that it’s our responsibility to design them now, but it’s not yet being achieved. We want to build stuff that tourists will come to see in 300 years. There are fantastic clients and patrons and institutions that are conscious of that kind of duty, but a combined understanding that the architecture and urban design go hand in hand is still being developed.''

Lens House /Alison Brooks Architects, image courtesy of Alison Brooks Architects

Among female architects, Brooks draws a very successful profile in architecture, recently named by the Sunday Times as one of Britain’s 500 Most Influential people, Alison Brooks is the only UK architect to have won all three of the UK’s most prestigious awards for architecture: the Stephen Lawrence Prize, the Manser Medal and the 2008 RIBA Stirling Prize. With early private houses published worldwide and featured in the Phaidon Atlas of Contemporary Architecture, the practice is now undertaking arts, education, residential and urban projects across the UK and Europe. Her largest civic commission to date is a full academic and residential Quadrangle for Exeter College, Oxford. Currently under construction, this will be the first Oxford College to be designed by a female architect.

Newhall Be /Alison Brooks Architects, image courtesy of Alison Brooks Architects

As a part of discussion about female architects, ''rather than considering myself a “female architect” I just consider myself as an architect, and I haven’t found entering the industry to be a struggle. It’s quite a welcoming environment for women and I’ve never encountered overt sexism – even when I’m the only women in a room of 300 men. The construction industry is particularly dominated by men, but it is gradually changing. More and more women are becoming part of the design process and the development of the industry.'' says Brooks.

Quarterhouse Performing Arts & Business Centre /Alison Brooks Architects, image courtesy of Alison Brooks Architects

''I do think the cities we live in and places that we live and work would benefit greatly from having more women in the profession. There are huge opportunities for women to make a mark in architecture and apply their creative imagination to the build environment.'' adds Brooks.

> via hamhigh.co.uk