International Archive of Women in Architecture facts for kids

The International Archive of Women in Architecture (IAWA) started in 1985. It is a special program at Virginia Tech. It works with the College of Architecture and Urban Studies and the university's libraries.

Why the IAWA Exists

The main goal of the IAWA is to record the history of women in architecture. They do this by collecting, keeping safe, and making available important papers. These papers belong to women architects, landscape designers, and city planners. They also collect records from groups that support women in architecture. This helps researchers learn about their work.

What the IAWA Collects

The IAWA gathers papers from women who worked in architecture when very few women were in the field. This means before the 1950s. They also collect materials to fill gaps in history research. As of 2006, the IAWA had over 1,200 cubic feet (about 34 cubic meters) of materials. These items are kept in Virginia Tech's Special Collections library.

The IAWA also collects books and other writings by or about women architects. These can be found using the Virginia Tech library's online catalog. The archive first focused on women who were pioneers in architecture. Now, it includes materials from many generations of women in the field. These collections are key for studying architecture, women's history, and social history.

Some of the important women architects whose materials are in the IAWA include:

• Diana Balmori
• Mary Colter
• L. Jane Hastings
• Anna Keichline
• Yasmeen Lari
• Eleanore Pettersen
• Sigrid Lorenzen Rupp
• Brinda Somaya
• Beverly Willis
• Liane Zimbler

The IAWA also gathers information about these women. Their database has details on over 650 women. They come from 48 different countries and 42 U.S. states. About 1,200 images from 28 collections are available online through VT ImageBase.

The Milka Bliznakov Research Prize

The Milka Bliznakov Research Prize began in 2001. It honors Dr. Milka Bliznakov (1927-2010). She was the founder and an advisor for the IAWA. The IAWA Center asks architects, scholars, and students to share their research. This research should be about women in architecture and related design areas. This prize helps to fill missing information about women's achievements. It highlights their work in shaping the buildings and spaces around us.

Some past winners of the Milka Bliznakov Award and Research Prize include:

• 2016, Dr. Ines Moisset, for "Women Architects on the Web."
• 2015, Claire Bonney Brüllman, for "The Work and Life of Adrienne Gorska."
• 2013, Robert Holton, for research on Natalie de Blois's role in famous buildings.
• 2010, Inge Schaefer Horton, for "Early Women Architects of the San Francisco Bay Area."
• 2008, Despina Stratigakos, for "A Woman’s Berlin."
• 2005, Bobbye Tigerman, for research on Florence Knoll and modern office design.

See also

In Spanish: International Archive of Women in Architecture para niños