Building Equity: How HPA Architects is championing gender balance and inclusion

The architectural profession continues to confront persistent gender inequality, the recent Fawcett Society report commissioned by RIBA offers a timely reminder: despite progress, women still face structural barriers to recognition, progression, and wellbeing in architecture.

From the parenthood penalty to the undervaluing of care and flexibility, the profession risks losing talent unless it embraces meaningful change.

This week HPA Director Zoë Hooton was invited to parliament to support the findings of the Fawcett Report and discuss what the profession is going to do to further support women.

At HPA Architects, we believe that equity is not a slogan - it’s a practice.

With a 50/50 gender split across our team, we are bucking the trend and are committed to fostering a workplace where everyone can thrive, contribute, and lead.

Embedding Equity in Our Culture

The Fawcett Society’s findings highlight how architecture’s culture often rewards visibility over wellbeing, and how motherhood remains a career turning point for many women. At HPA, we actively challenge these norms.

Implementation of our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy commits to fair recruitment, transparent progression, and annual reviews of workforce data to ensure accountability.

We’ve also introduced a Menopause Policy to support staff through life transitions, recognising that inclusion must extend beyond recruitment and promotion.

Flexible working, mentoring, and cross-disciplinary collaboration are embedded in our practice - not as perks, but as principles.

A Shared Responsibility

The Women in Construction Conference 2025 underscores the urgency of retaining women in the sector - not just for equity, but for sustainability and profitability.

As the industry faces a skills shortage, the retention and advancement of women is not optional - it’s essential.

We are proud of our team, but we know there’s always more to do. We invite our peers, collaborators, and clients to reflect, engage, and act - because equity is not a destination, but a continuous process.