December 2022 Featured Interview
Supporting, Promoting and Recognizing
the Contributions of Women in Architecture
Interview with
Cynthia Phifer Kracauer, AIA
Executive Director of the Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation
Photo Courtesy: Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation
About Cynthia:
Cynthia Phifer Kracauer, AIA, is an architect and currently serves as the Executive Director of the Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation. She joined the foundation following ten years as the Managing Director of the American Institute of Architects New York Chapter, Center for Architecture. Both an architect and a creative institutional administrator, Cynthia was responsible for the creation of Archtober, the New York City month-long festival of architecture and design. As one of the early pioneers of co-education in the 1970’s, Cynthia graduated from Princeton University receiving both an A.B., magna cum laude, and Master of Architecture. She worked for Philip Johnson in the 1980’s and taught at the University of Virginia, New Jersey Institute of Technology, and her alma mater.
Cynthia Phifer Kracauer, AIA, is an architect and currently serves as the Executive Director of the Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation. She joined the foundation following ten years as the Managing Director of the American Institute of Architects New York Chapter, Center for Architecture. Both an architect and a creative institutional administrator, Cynthia was responsible for the creation of Archtober, the New York City month-long festival of architecture and design. As one of the early pioneers of co-education in the 1970’s, Cynthia graduated from Princeton University receiving both an A.B., magna cum laude, and Master of Architecture. She worked for Philip Johnson in the 1980’s and taught at the University of Virginia, New Jersey Institute of Technology, and her alma mater.
About Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation (BWAF):
The Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is leading a cultural revolution in the building industry that acknowledges, cultivates, and values women’s contributions and achievements – past, present and future. BWAF advocates for gender equity in leadership and recognition in architecture, design, landscape, engineering, technology, real estate and construction. BWAF achieves its mission by researching and documenting women’s contributions and achievements in the built realm, educating the public, and transforming industry practices. Through exhibitions, websites, media, public and invitation-only programs, and its acclaimed New Angle: Voice podcast series, BWAF collaborates with museums, universities, professional organizations, and other groups to advance women. BWAF commissions and curates research for working women at all levels of architecture, engineering, construction, design, landscape, preservation, and planning.
The Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is leading a cultural revolution in the building industry that acknowledges, cultivates, and values women’s contributions and achievements – past, present and future. BWAF advocates for gender equity in leadership and recognition in architecture, design, landscape, engineering, technology, real estate and construction. BWAF achieves its mission by researching and documenting women’s contributions and achievements in the built realm, educating the public, and transforming industry practices. Through exhibitions, websites, media, public and invitation-only programs, and its acclaimed New Angle: Voice podcast series, BWAF collaborates with museums, universities, professional organizations, and other groups to advance women. BWAF commissions and curates research for working women at all levels of architecture, engineering, construction, design, landscape, preservation, and planning.
Karen Shan, co-associate editor, asked Cynthia about the importance of promoting women in architecture and advancing equity across genders through her work with the Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation.
What led you to your current role as Executive Director of the Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation?
Various professional experiences led to my work with the Foundation. Early on, I started out my career as an architect with a national firm in Philadelphia and then worked with the noted architect Philip Johnson in New York. I enjoyed the work and travel involved, but after becoming pregnant, I left Mr. Johnson’s office to care for my new baby. Almost immediately, I opened my own architecture practice from home, doing small-scale renovations, and I began teaching university-level architecture classes before taking a position at a large multi-national architecture firm. Fifteen years later, I topped out as managing partner of the New York office and changed course with a role as the managing director of the American Institute of Architects New York Chapter, Center for Architecture. From there, I became the executive director of the Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation.
What led you to your current role as Executive Director of the Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation?
Various professional experiences led to my work with the Foundation. Early on, I started out my career as an architect with a national firm in Philadelphia and then worked with the noted architect Philip Johnson in New York. I enjoyed the work and travel involved, but after becoming pregnant, I left Mr. Johnson’s office to care for my new baby. Almost immediately, I opened my own architecture practice from home, doing small-scale renovations, and I began teaching university-level architecture classes before taking a position at a large multi-national architecture firm. Fifteen years later, I topped out as managing partner of the New York office and changed course with a role as the managing director of the American Institute of Architects New York Chapter, Center for Architecture. From there, I became the executive director of the Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation.
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As a true trailblazer and passionate advocate for women, Beverly Willis [see sidebar] defined the mission for BWAF to acknowledge and cultivate women’s contributions and achievements in the field of architecture. The disparity between the recognition and opportunities for men and women in architecture has been crystalized through my work experiences. The work of BWAF is to equalize prospects, acknowledgement and pay, and to bring to light the struggles of the women of the past to participate in the profession. We look at all forces that limit the possibilities for women: gender inequities like the unpaid labor of homemaking; gender-based violence – sexual harassment and assault; and gender social norms – community-based expectations regarding male and female roles in the household and society.
One of the harshest realities I’ve had to face was trying to advance professionally while raising a young family. Without the flexibility to allow for the attention both require, it’s impossible to succeed in either. I had to leave a great job because of limited options for women. Men with families don’t have to make the same miserable choice. When I was coming up in practice, the standards of male behavior were quite lax. Sexual harassment – even assault – were constant unspoken threats, both in the academy and in professional firms. Another inequity is that women earn about 75 percent of men’s earnings, and the higher the position is, the greater the divide. And then there are the stereotypical behaviors expected of women, such as being nice and cooperative. Worse than tiresome, these differences are unjust and economically disadvantageous. |
About BWAF Founder, Beverly Willis
Before establishing her architecture firm in 1966, 95-year-old Beverly Willis, a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, spent more than a decade as an independent artist. Thirty-five years after leading her architecture firm, Beverly was dismayed by the underrepresentation of women in architecture history books. She founded the Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation (BWAF) with Heidi Gifford in 2002 “to fight to ensure that women in architecture have the same opportunities as men to realize their dreams and to be remembered.” Willis has continued to contribute to the architecture profession for more than 60 years. She’s taken on commissions without built precedents and adopted unconventional practices that later became mainstream. Along with William Wurster and Lawrence Halprin, she pioneered concepts of adaptive reuse, and she introduced computerized programming into large-scale land planning and design. Willis’ influential design of the San Francisco Ballet Building, renovation of Glide Church, and prototypical design for Manhattan Village Academy Charter School created new ways of thinking about building types. Beverly’s portfolio of significant projects has earned her many honors, awards, and citations. |
20th Anniversary BEVY Leadership Awards Celebration
Photo Courtesy: Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation |
Why is it important to recognize female architects, including those from the past, and their work? Fighting prejudice involves identifying omitted accomplishments throughout history. Architecture’s generations of male-dominated practices have created a biased perspective of the built environment’s most valuable and influential work. Recognizing women’s past achievements in architecture helps overcome the pervasive professional disrespect for mothers. The last century has been difficult for women architects. Unfortunately, these issues continue to persist. Consider that BWAF’s podcast series, New Angle: Voice, which documents the struggles and triumphs of leading women architects. Its audience grew from 4,000 listeners during its debut month last March to more than 30,000 listeners by April. The second season, which is set to open this month, has won major grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the prestigious Graham Foundation, demonstrating society’s craving for warranted recognition and interest in women’s roles in the evolution of architecture. |
According to the American Institute of Architects, in 2020 almost half of the U.S. architecture students were women, yet only 17 percent of registered female architects achieve upper management levels, become partners, and own architectural firms. Any thoughts on that?
Historically, architecture is a male-dominated field. Persistent inequities in opportunities, recognition for achievements, and pay reinforce the disparity between men and women.
Historically, architecture is a male-dominated field. Persistent inequities in opportunities, recognition for achievements, and pay reinforce the disparity between men and women.
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How are you and BWAF working to amplify the work, influence, and career opportunities for women in architecture, engineering and construction?
The Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation works with women professionals, trade organizations, such as the American Institute of Architects and Women Executives in Real Estate, and others in support of women in the field by providing programs, workshops and awards that help position women more equitably in the design industry. Our programs help women step into leadership roles and promote the power and influence of women in the built environment. It’s ongoing, challenging and rewarding work. This year, our BEVY Leadership Awards marks its 20th anniversary of recognizing contemporary women of influence in the fields of architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, development, and construction. Some of our other programs include Built by Women, Industry Leaders Roundtable, Emerging Leaders, and Pioneering Women of American Architecture. Each one takes a separate approach to past, modern day, and young women in the profession.
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American Institute of Architects 2018 Conference
Beverly Willis (sitting) with Cynthia Phifer Kracauer and Others Photo Courtesy: Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation |
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I’d love to see more women pull their chair up to the table and speak confidently about their ideas to colleagues and clients. Women need to seek more, ask for more, and support organizations that promote and advance women.
Where do you find sanctuary?
I am a nature lover. I like to take long walks on the beach in winter with my dog, Glow. I lose myself in silly projects with my grandchildren. We are planning a backyard igloo this year to be constructed out of Icelandic water bottles that we have been accumulating for two years. I have a bunch of dear girlfriends, most of whom I’ve known since college. We’ve been through so many transitions over the years. We share our resilience – and beach and ski houses – with each other every year.
I’d love to see more women pull their chair up to the table and speak confidently about their ideas to colleagues and clients. Women need to seek more, ask for more, and support organizations that promote and advance women.
Where do you find sanctuary?
I am a nature lover. I like to take long walks on the beach in winter with my dog, Glow. I lose myself in silly projects with my grandchildren. We are planning a backyard igloo this year to be constructed out of Icelandic water bottles that we have been accumulating for two years. I have a bunch of dear girlfriends, most of whom I’ve known since college. We’ve been through so many transitions over the years. We share our resilience – and beach and ski houses – with each other every year.
