To mark the day, we asked females from across our Scott Brownrigg studios to share their insights about the architecture industry, their inspirations and what advice they would pass on to those starting out in their careers. Here's a few extracts from what they told us.

What has been your biggest achievement so far in your career?

"My biggest achievement so far was no doubt to serve on RIBA council and to help push the profession forward with the revised RIBA plan of works 2013. In terms of design work, I think having a small chapel built in Luxembourg that I designed from scratch is right up there with winning and being shortlisted for some great international competitions."

Dagmar Binsted, Associate Architect

"Everyday life is my biggest achievement. Being a full time woman, mother and architect."

Rosa de Pablo, Associate Architect

"Changing the RIBA Byelaws to allow students to vote for RIBA President"

Albena Atanassova, Associate Architect

What do you enjoy the most about working in architecture/the department you’re in?

"Digital tools have become integral to our practice as Architects but in many ways, understanding team dynamics, procurement and enabling large project design development is one of the most exciting parts of architectural profession for me. Collaboration is not done by software, it’s done by people. As architects, we design spaces but we also design connections between people to enable amazing things to happen."

Ana Matic, Director of Digital Development

"Working amongst and alongside creative individuals is what gets me up in the morning. I thrive on being part of the process of creating intriguing and well considered buildings that we all get to enjoy."

Michelle Brennan, Head of Bid Management

"Working within the Residential and Mixed Use Sector allows for the opportunity to work collaboratively across all the teams with the versatility to work on a variety of projects with a variety of complexity and scale.  As the Sector Lead, I am supported by a forward thinking, supportive team that is always striving for creativity and innovation."

Nyasa Beale, Director

What advice would you give to women starting out in their careers?

"My advice would be to find your inner voice and make it heard, look around and see things and never stop learning."

Olga Mikhaleva, Associate Architect

"Find a mentor, find a few! Join a women’s group for your department. I was always a very self-taught kind of person, but as soon as I surrounded myself with like-minded, talented people, my progress sky rocketed."

Amy Beckenham, BIM Coordinator 

"If you put your mind to it, you can achieve it. Surround yourself with people that support you, and challenge you to do your best. Also, own up to your mistakes and learn from them. It will help you in the long run."

Melanie Coventry, Group Finance Manager

"Be proud of what you do who you are and always act with integrity. Decide what it is that makes you happy, what motivates you and what gives you a sense of achievement and work towards that. It may change as you develop and grow in your career and that’s ok too!"

Ilze Williamson, Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Who or what inspires you?

"The thing that definitely inspires me most is knowing that my work will make a literal and physical difference. As an architect, I can directly impact people’s lives and the world around me. I think that is quite an amazing thought! I am inspired by all the successful women I see from a distance and have been lucky to work with so far. They are making a real mark in this quite male dominated industry, reminding me that my aspirations are achievable."

Elizabeth Akamo, Architectural Assistant - Apprentice (Level 7)

"Making a difference for the better to the built environment and all those that use it."

Sarah Susman, Head of Technical Development

"The positive social and environmental impact that we can have on spaces and the potential to improve public health and well-being through design."

Claire Dennevay, Architectural Assistant (Part 2)

"Everyone inspires me, from my loved ones to strangers because architecture always wants to help and provide the best design and when it does it’s an incredibly satisfactory feeling."

Marian Go, Project Director

​​Find out more about International Women's Day here.