Chapter 3 of “Women’s Places: Architecture and Design 1860-1960” explores the evolving role of women in the field of architecture and design during the period from 1860 to 1960. This transformative era witnessed significant social and cultural changes that influenced the opportunities available to women in these professions. The chapter begins by highlighting the emergence of women’s architectural and design schools in Europe and the United States. These institutions provided women with formal education and training, empowering them to enter the male-dominated industry. The chapter also discusses prominent female architects and designers who played a crucial role in challenging societal norms and paving the way for future generations. Furthermore, the chapter examines the impact of both world wars on women’s involvement in architecture and design. The war efforts created opportunities for women to contribute to the built environment through various roles, such as designing military structures and participating in post-war reconstruction efforts. Moreover, the chapter delves into the influence of feminist movements and ideologies on architecture and design. It explores how women architects and designers began to address issues of gender, identity, and domestic space through their work, challenging traditional notions of architecture as a male-dominated discipline. Overall, Chapter 3 provides a comprehensive overview of the changing landscape for women in architecture and design during the period from 1860 to 1960. It showcases the strides made by women in these fields and highlights the ongoing efforts to achieve gender equality and inclusivity in the built environment.

For this week’s post, I will be looking at Farmers Union Coffee Roasters. I’m choosing this location because I believe that it is characteristic of ‘feminine’ design and a result of the evolving role of women within architecture that began in the 19th century. There are several features that give this space a feminine feeling, one of them being the large pink coffee grinder. Another feature is the lightness of the space, created by both the skylight and the white walls/ceiling. Additionally, this space is distinctly interior architecture instead of interior design, a distinction that took a while to develop and which was a result of women’s progress within the field of architecture. It is interior architecture instead of interior design because it uses the structure of the building to create the feeling within the space, and the structure matches the interior feel of the space. I believe that if it weren’t for the large strides that women made within the 19th and 20th century, then this space would have a much less feminine feeling and be less socially accepted. 

Interior of Farmers Union Coffee Roasters