Architecture as a tool for inclusion and community building : Women in Fabrication at Zayed College for Girls

Abstract

Women in Fabrication is a collaborative platform that empowers female high-school students, architecture students and young architects through design and construction. The project partnered with Zayed College for Girls to improve its built environment and interface with the community, by constructing a pavilion near the school entrance where students can wait for their parents after school. To ensure the users of the space had an active voice in the project, workshops were held at the college, where students learnt about basic principles of design and technology, provided input on the most suitable location for the pavilion and developed concept designs for this structure. They were mentored by female architecture students and young architects, as well as their everyday teachers. The design process celebrated the rich cultural diversity that is part of this community, including the application of Te Aranga Māori Design Principles, which honour New Zealand’s indigenous culture, as well as the integration of Islamic traditions that are an integral part of the school’s philosophy. The discussions, concepts and ideas from the workshops informed the final design of the pavilion. The design was then refined by a group of female architecture students and professionals, and constructed by them using digital fabrication technology to maximise efficiency and minimise waste of resources. Both stages of the project aimed to strengthen teamwork and leadership skills for women architects and students, and to celebrate diversity and inclusion in the design process.