Architecture needs diversity – IU Munich participates in the nationwide WIA Festival 2025
Event series “LET'S TALK TRANSFORMATION” sets an example for equal opportunities in the construction industry
IU in Munich made its own contribution to the Germany-wide festival WOMEN IN ARCHITECTURE (WIA) 2025, which highlights diversity and equality in building culture across Germany.
Munich, 1 July 2025. With a clear stance for more equal opportunities in architecture and construction, IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU) at its Munich location actively participated in the nationwide WOMEN IN ARCHITECTURE (WIA) 2025 festival. Under the programmatic title "LET'S TALK TRANSFORMATION," three publicly accessible events took place in the heart of Munich on June 26 and 27 – conceived by IU professors and dual students of the architecture programme in collaboration with the Ruffinihaus Creative Hub Munich and the architectural firm bmquadrat | Architektur + Design.
Diversity is a driver for innovation, quality and efficiency
The aim of IU was not only to conduct the discourse on equality in the construction industry, but also to make it visible in the public space – through lectures, dialogue formats, and a temporary dialogue kiosk at Rindermarkt. The first day already demonstrated the great interest in the topic: Numerous guests from practice, academia, and the public engaged in lively discussions about structural barriers, personal experiences, and sustainable strategies for a more equal opportunity planning environment.
The second day of the event was devoted to the question: "What does it actually take to achieve equal opportunities in the construction industry?" Interdisciplinary teams conducted workshops addressing topics such as the gender pay gap, leadership positions, career access, and funding structures. Key questions addressed were: How do construction projects benefit from diverse teams? What scientific evidence is available on this topic? How can equality be specifically promoted - at universities and in professional practice?
What is the common vision of a fair-opportunity construction industry?
The background is clear: Over 60 per cent of architecture students are female. Yet, according to Statista, the proportion of practicing female architects is only 34.1 per cent in 2024. In academic teaching, only 27 per cent of professorships were held by women in 2023, leadership positions in architecture and construction companies are two-thirds male-dominated - and the wage gap between male and female architects persists. And there's a lack of awareness that building culture must work for everyone, regardless of gender, generation, or professional group.
Diversity is a key success factor for projects and companies
"The numbers speak for themselves. But even more crucial for us is the potential: Diverse planning teams demonstrably produce better results – they work more efficiently, more innovatively, and more socially sensitively. Research that takes a multi-perspective approach is published more frequently and is therefore more relevant. Construction processes that are developed in a mixed-gender and, above all, intergenerational manner shape a building culture for ALL," says project leader Prof. Dr Bettina-Maria Müller, Professor of Architecture at IU in Munich. "Therefore, we see it as our educational mission to continue to promote this discussion and actively involve students in the necessary transformation processes."
With its participation in the WIA Festival 2025, IU Munich sent a strong signal – for greater visibility, for critical reflection and for structural change in architecture and urban planning – both in practice and in teaching.
The evaluation of the workshop results is currently in progress. The resulting manifesto will be published afterward and will be made available to interested parties upon request.
We thank our participating students, our guests and other supporters:
- Annette Hilpert, Head of Urban and Regional Development, Chamber of Industry and Commerce for Munich and Upper Bavaria
- Prof. Dr. Kathrin Grewolls, Managing Director of BSKT GmbH
- Anne Tischer, founder and chairwoman of WOMEN! LEADERSHIP (F!F) Initiative of the German real estate industry for more women in leadership positions
- Helena Heilig, Helena Heilig Photography
Organizer
IU International University of Applied Sciences
dual study programme in architecture at the Munich location
https://www.iu-dualesstudium.de/standorte/muenchen/
Project team
- Project management: Prof. Dr-Ing. Bettina-Maria Müller
- IU Civil Engineering programme, Prof. Dr-Ing. Susanne Hüttner
- IU students of the 8th semester in the BA Architecture
- bmquadrat | Architecture + Design
- Ruffinihaus Creative Hub, Creative Munich
Further information about the project: bettina-maria.mueller@iu.org
LET'S TALK TRANSFORMATION
Thursday, 26 June, 2025 | LET'S TALK ENCOUNTER I
On the Rindermarkt, 80331 Munich
8 – 10 a.m. | Construction of the "Equality in Architecture" dialogue kiosk at Rindermarkt – a publicly accessible design-build project by IU students
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Open dialogue with invited guests and passers-by on equal opportunities and diversity in the construction industry
Friday, 27 June, 2025 | LET'S TALK ENCOUNTER II
Ruffinihaus Creative Hub, 1st floor, Sendlinger Str. 1, 80331 Munich
2 p.m. – 6 p.m. | Interdisciplinary mentoring and networking forum – with personal conversations, mini-coaching sessions, and discussions with leading women from architecture, urban development, and the real estate industry
Friday, 27 June, 2025 | LET'S TALK MOVIE
Ruffinihaus Creative Hub, 1st floor, Sendlinger Str. 1, 80331 Munich
from 6 p.m. | Film screening with collected statements and impressions – followed by a moderated discussion on the topic: “Increasing efficiency through diversity – Why diverse teams build better” including scientific studies on the added value of mixed teams
ABOUT WOMEN IN ARCHITECTURE: WIA FESTIVAL 2025
From June 19 to 29, 2025, numerous events throughout Germany highlighted the achievements of female planners and the topic of diversity in building culture. WIA 2025 strengthens the visibility of women in building culture nationwide and positions them as driving forces in public discourse, enabling them to network with each other and with politics, the media, and society, and leverage synergies. In addition to regional chambers of architects, associations, foundations, architectural firms, universities, cities, and initiatives are also involved in the WIA Festival. A total of 265 projects from over 200 participants offered diverse perspectives and sent a strong message for equality and diversity in building culture, which affects everyone - not just planners. The IU is part of this nationwide network. More information at: https://wia-festival.de/
Further information and sources
https://yesweplan.eu/
https://de.statista.com/statistik/daten/studie/37278/umfrage/geschlechterverteilung-bei-architekten/ https://de.statista.com/statistik/daten/studie/160365/umfrage/professoren-und-professorinnen-an-deutschen-hochschulen/
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12144-022-03534-9
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/10591478241260723
https://www.forschung-und-lehre.de/forschung/gemischte-teams-forschen-besser-4971
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12144-022-03534-9
With nearly 130,000 students, IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU) is the largest university in Germany. The private, state-recognised educational institution, based in Erfurt, began teaching in 2000 and now has 37 campuses. IU stands for maximum flexibility in study: whether through dual study, distance learning or on campus – students from over 160 nations tailor their educational path to suit their individual circumstances. With more than 200 degree programmes at bachelor’s, master’s and MBA level, IU imparts practical skills. Innovative learning concepts foster targeted, future-proof skills for an increasingly AI-driven world of work. A modern, digitally supported learning environment and the use of artificial intelligence enable effective, personalised learning. As a pioneer in this field, IU has developed its own digital learning companion, ‘Syntea’, which has been in use since 2023. A network of over 15,000 companies – including Motel One, Vodafone, AWO and Deutsche Bahn – makes IU a strong partner in the training of skilled workers and consistently links academic teaching with practical experience. Further information at: iu.org
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