Coffee & Research Beans
Event 02
About the Conversation
On 23 March 2023, Coffee & Research Beans welcomed Christina Cattelan, Senior Associate and Project Leader at Stantec, for an engaging conversation exploring women’s experiences, professional opportunities and the challenges of achieving gender equality in architecture and the wider built environment.
The session began by examining the underrepresentation of women across construction, engineering, architecture and academia, highlighting the importance of challenging traditional perceptions of the industry. The discussion considered how gender stereotypes, professional visibility and workplace cultures continue to influence women’s career choices, progression and opportunities for leadership.
Drawing on her experience as an architect, Christina shared insights into her professional journey and presented examples of projects she had worked on, offering participants an opportunity to understand the diversity of roles, responsibilities and creative opportunities within architectural practice. Her contribution connected the realities of working in the profession with the wider importance of sustainable design, innovation and collaboration.
The conversation also explored how the built environment industry can attract and retain more women, the importance of inclusive professional cultures and the role of technological innovation in opening new career pathways. Particular attention was given to the need for meaningful cultural change that goes beyond numerical representation and creates environments in which individuals can progress based on their skills, aspirations and contributions.
Meet Our Guest
Christina Cattelan
Senior Associate | Project Leader, Stantec | London, UK
Christina Cattelan is an architect and project leader with extensive experience in the design and delivery of educational buildings, ranging from nursery and primary schools to secondary schools, sixth-form facilities, universities and academic research institutions.
Her work involves collaborating with public and private sector clients, combining architectural design expertise with project leadership and a commitment to sustainable development. She has contributed to projects involving conservation, urban regeneration and the sensitive adaptation of existing buildings.
Christina has also been actively involved in architectural education and professional development, including mentoring architectural students through the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). Her professional experience includes design review activities and the application of Building Information Modelling (BIM) to improve collaboration and project delivery.
Key Themes Explored
The session explored how women’s experiences in architecture can help challenge established perceptions of the built environment industry and demonstrate the breadth of opportunities available beyond traditional construction roles.
Key themes included professional identity, career development, mentorship, gender-related barriers and the importance of making women’s contributions more visible. The conversation also considered the potential of digital technologies and new ways of working to support innovation and create more inclusive professional environments.
Through Christina’s project examples and professional reflections, Event 02 highlighted the connection between architecture, sustainability and social responsibility, reinforcing the project’s wider ambition to encourage dialogue, collaboration and lasting cultural change across the built environment.
Moments from the Conversation
