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Was Eileen Gray’s Interpretation of Modern Architecture Influenced by Her Gender-Specific Experience?

Part 1 Dissertation 2024
Victoria Weeks
University of Wales Trinity Saint David Swansea | UK
This dissertation explores the profound impact of gender on architectural recognition and creativity. Initially prompted by the question of Eileen Gray's evolving legacy within architectural history, my research revealed how systemic sexism in the early 20th century often directed talented women like Gray towards the arts, instead of architecture. This study delves into how such constraints, combined with pervasive gender biases, endowed these women with unique skills and perspectives that significantly influenced their architectural contributions, contrasting sharply with their male contemporaries who followed more traditional educational paths.

Through a comparative analysis with Le Corbusier, a prominent figure in modern architecture, my research highlights the differences in opportunities and recognition within the same professional circles, illustrating how Gray’s gender-specific experiences shaped her innovative, human-centric approach to modernism. This work not only repositions Gray within the architectural discourse but also advocates for a broader re-evaluation of modernism’s history to acknowledge the integral roles women have played in shaping the architectural landscape, thus enriching our understanding of the profession’s diversity and complexity.

Victoria Weeks

Tutor(s)
Paul Harries
2024
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