While the official AIA National Architecture Week 2024 takes place April 14-20, the spirit of celebrating design and architecture extends throughout the year! This year’s theme, “It’s never too early to start thinking like an architect,” perfectly encapsulates the power of igniting design passion in future generations. To that end, we’re spotlighting five remarkable women architects whose achievements inspire designers of all ages.

From the transformative visions of Gae Aulenti to the timeless elegance of Andrée Putman, each of these women has defied conventions and redefined design. We’ll delve into the sensory-rich spaces crafted by ILSE CRAWFORD, be dazzled by the vibrant world of India Mahdavi, and appreciate the innovative design legacy of Ray Eames. As we explore their journeys, we invite you to think like an architect – to understand the power of design, envision a more equitable and inspiring built environment, and consider how your contributions, big or small, can impact the world around you. Join us as we celebrate their groundbreaking achievements and discover how their unique perspectives continue to shape the future of design.

Gae Aulenti:

A Brief History

• Born Gaetana Aulenti in 1927, Italy.
• Studied architecture at the Polytechnic University of Milan, graduating in 1953.
• Began her career as a graphic designer and editor for the influential architecture magazine Casabella Continuità.
• Transitioned to furniture and interior design, collaborating with major companies like Fiat, Olivetti, and Knoll.

Her Legacy:

• Pioneered adaptive reuse, breathing new life into historical buildings like the Musée d’Orsay.
• Blurred the lines between modernity and historical respect, creating seamless and innovative spaces.
• A versatile designer, excelling in architecture, furniture, lighting, and more.
• Challenged traditional norms and inspired generations with her bold and visionary approach.

Andrée Putman

A Brief History:

• Born Andrée Juliette Schwob in 1925, France.
• Began her career as a journalist and art director for fashion magazines.
• She transitioned to interior design in the 1960s, quickly gaining recognition for her minimalist and elegant style.
• Designed furniture, lighting, and textiles that embodied her signature combination of luxury and practicality.
• Revitalized historic hotels like the Élysée Palace and Morgans Hotel, bringing them into the modern era.
• Founded the influential design agency Écart International in 1978.
• Received numerous awards, including the Chevalier of the Legion of Honour and the Order of Arts and Letters.
• She passed away in 2013, leaving behind a legacy of timeless design that continues to inspire.

Her legacy:

• Putman pioneered minimalist design, emphasizing clean lines, functionality, and high-quality materials.
• She blurred the lines between interior and product design, creating iconic pieces like the Élysée Hotel lamp.
• Her work embodied luxury with practicality, appealing to a wide range of clients.
• She was a successful businesswoman who broke barriers in a male-dominated industry.

Ilse Crawford

A Brief History:

• Born in London, UK in 1962.
• Studied furniture and product design at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design.
• Founded the design studio Studioilse in 2003, focusing on hospitality, retail, and residential projects.
• Pioneered the concept of “New Domesticity,” prioritizing sensory experience and human interaction in design.
• Designed acclaimed restaurants like Noma (Copenhagen) and Ett Hem (Stockholm), known for their warm and inviting atmospheres.
• Authored several influential books on design, including “The Power of Food” and “A Visual History of Domestic Comfort.”
• Received numerous awards, including the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to design.

Her legacy:

• Crawford champions sensory-driven design, using materials and textures to create stimulating and engaging environments.
• Her work emphasizes human connection and fostering a sense of community within spaces.
• She advocates for sustainable design practices and using natural materials.
• She has been a vocal critic of generic and soulless design, pushing for unique and meaningful spaces.

India Mahdavi

A Brief History:

• Born in Tehran, Iran in 1968.
• Studied architecture at École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris.
• Founded her design studio in 2000, quickly gaining recognition for her unique and colorful aesthetic.
• Embraces a global perspective in her work, drawing inspiration from diverse cultures and traditions.
• Known for her eclectic mix of materials and textures, creating visually stimulating and layered spaces.
• Designed notable projects like the Sketch restaurant in London and the Ladurée flagship store in Paris.
• Also designs furniture, lighting, and textiles, extending her playful spirit to various objects.
• Received numerous awards, including the Chevalier of the Legion of Honour and the Wallpaper* Design Award.

Her legacy:

• Mahdavi’s signature style is bold, playful, and penuh warna (full of color in Indonesian).
• She challenges traditional design norms and embraces the unexpected.
• Her work celebrates cultural diversity and global influences.
• She advocates for creating spaces that evoke emotions and stimulate the senses.
• Mahdavi is a successful entrepreneur who has broken barriers in the design industry.

Ray Eames

Brief History:

• Born Bernice Alexandra Kaiser in 1912, California.
• Studied painting at Sacramento Junior College and Hans Hofmann School of Fine Art.
• Married Charles Eames in 1941, forming the renowned Eames Office design partnership.
• Designed furniture, textiles, films, and exhibits, contributing to various fields of design.
• Championed innovative materials like molded plywood and collaborated with Charles seamlessly.
• Her playful use of patterns and textiles brought joy and functionality to spaces.
• Received numerous awards alongside Charles, including the Royal Gold Medal.
• Passed away in 1988, leaving behind a legacy of influential and enduring design.

Her legacy:

• Ray Eames was a versatile designer, excelling in furniture, textiles, film, and exhibitions.
• She played a crucial role in the Eames Office’s success, collaborating closely with Charles.
• Her work embraced innovation and experimentation, using new materials and playful designs.
• She advocated for design accessibility and functionality, creating pieces for everyday use.
• Ray Eames remains an inspiration for aspiring designers across various disciplines.

Think Like an Architect

While National Architecture Week officially takes place in April, the spirit of celebrating design and architecture extends throughout the year! Recognizing this year’s AIA theme, “It’s never too early to start thinking like an architect,” we explored the inspiring journeys of five remarkable women who have redefined the field.

From Gae Aulenti’s transformative visions that dared to challenge conventions to Andrée Putman’s timeless elegance that redefined luxury with practicality, these architects leave an undeniable mark. We delved into the sensory-rich spaces crafted by Ilse Crawford, marveled at the vibrant world of India Mahdavi, and admired the innovative design legacy of Ray Eames.

Their stories not only celebrate groundbreaking achievements but also serve as powerful encouragement for future generations to think like architects: to appreciate the power of design, envision a more equitable and inspiring built environment, and consider how their contributions can impact the world around them.