To celebrate International Women’s Day, our Women@Bates group hosted two impactful events that championed equity, inclusion, and connection across our studios.

 

The first was a Speed Networking event that brought together women from all levels of the practice with our senior leadership team, strengthening connections and fostering mentorship.

We then hosted a Design Challenge that explored social issues critical to our understanding of inclusive citymaking for women. It was a powerful discussion that led to some compelling design ideas about how we can make a difference.

We talked about:
1. Safer Workplaces – Making job sites more inclusive, especially in male-dominated industries.
2. Safer Public Spaces – Designing for better visibility, accessibility, and security.
3. Systemic Change Beyond Design – Pushing for policy shifts, cultural transformation, and leadership diversity.
4. Women in Construction – How tech, prefabrication, and inclusive hiring can open more opportunities.
5. Health & Wellness – Designing spaces that support mental and physical well-being.
6. Collaboration Across Sectors – Bringing together design, policy, and technology to drive change.

As a citymaking design practice, we believe that our places and spaces are richer and more uplifting when we design for diverse communities.