CRISTINA
LANZ AZCARATE
RIBA, ARB, NAWIC
Cristina is a dedicated advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in the Built Environment. Her efforts span both through practice and ongoing volunteer work. Most notably, she co-founded the 2020 RIBA Inclusion Charter, a first of a kind document that proposes a cultural shift towards a more inclusive architectural landscape.
Beyond this significant achievement, Cristina actively supports individuals and organizations through various volunteer roles. She served as the Outgoing London and Southeast Chair for NAWIC UK, mentors across the Built by Us programmes as well as Women in Architecture and the Inspiring the Future schools programs, and contributed her expertise to both RIBA's Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Advisory Group, Architects for Change between 2017 and 2023.
In 2023, she was awarded Inspirational Business Woman in Stem and Construction and since 2020 she has been a Women of the Year Alumna both in recognition for the impact she has in the industry..
CRISTINA'S
VOLUNTEERING JOURNEY
If you have wondered about volunteering in the Built Environment but are not certain where you could do so, here are Cristina's choices.
We are not suggesting you follow her path but you want to start somewhere and the links below might be of interest.
2013-ONGOING
MENTOR, BUILT BY US (Fluid & Shape) LINK
The FLUID Diversity Mentoring Programme is an award winning built environment leadership programme that connects volunteer mentors and mentees from across the Built Environment with the aim to address barriers to diversity and inclusion.
Shape is a programme for Built Environment Entrepreneurs that connects under 3 years old start ups with businesses that have been running for longer in order to provide support.
2013-ONGOING
SPEAKER AT SCHOOLS, INSPIRING THE FUTURE LINK
Inspiring the Future, the flagship service of the Education and Employers charity, connects workplace volunteers with schools and colleges to broaden children and young people’s horizons, raise their aspirations and increase their motivation to learn.
2022-ONGOING
COMMITTEE MEMBER, NAWIC LDN & SE LINK
The NAWIC London and South East Region team are committed to transforming the industry on to one which reflects the diversity of our society, shifting the agenda from gender to ability and putting an end to stereotypes.
2022 & 2023
MENTOR, WOMEN IN ARCHITECTURE LINK
This programme aims to help women and people of marginalised genders, plus women in positions where immediate role models are absent or where external mentors aren't offered.
2013-2022
CHAIR, NAWIC LDN & SE LINK
As chair, my focus was in the development & implementation of a variety of programs that are a good fit for NAWIC's ethos and both support the development and encourage the retention of diversity within the industry.
2017 & 2023
EDI AVISOR, RIBA AFC LINK
Architects for Change (AFC) is RIBA’s equality, diversity and inclusion advisory group and also a Mayor's Advocate Organisation ( "Good Growth by Design".)
2013-2015
COMMUNICATIONS, NAWIC UK LINK
As the national communications person, my role was to share the activity and news from the regions with both the membership and industry across the country by setting up and using the newsletter and Social Media channels.
OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENTS & RECOGNITION
2016, '17, '20, '21
2019
06.2019
2019
2019-2020
2017
2017
Judge, European Women in Construction and Engineering Awards (WICE)
Finalist, Women in construction LCA (group submission NAWIC LDN & SE)
Evidence Contributor: APPG for Excellence in the Built Environment Commission
Advisory Board Member “The FT Global Future of Construction Summit” FT, LDN
Advisory Board Member “Women in Construction World Series”
Finalist, Woman in construction LCA Award
Judge, Greek International Women Awards
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
Moderator, WICE Awards Summit
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"Leadership Presence for Women" LINK
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"Reframing Stress & Supporting Others with their Mental Health " LINK
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"Bias, Microaggressions and Inclusive Language" LINK
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"Building Your Team: Mentors, Mentees and Allies" LINK
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"What will the next generation of construction companies look like" LINK
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"My Journey through Europe by Lenka Vošvrdová" LINK
Chair, “Reuse, retrofit, recycle”, NAWIC London LINK
Moderator, WICE Awards Summit
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"How emerging AI and technology will impact your career."
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"Supporting Career Development For Women In Construction"
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"Balance and Mindset"
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"Bridging divides through mentoring."
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"How to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace as an employee"
Panellist “Barriers in architecture” RIBA future architects (LINK )
Panellist "Women in Construction" Department of International Trade, Sweden (LINK )
Panellist “The future of Real Estate”, Constructioncast Series by Limeslade (LINK )
Panellist "Insights from Grassroots initiatives", AIA International(LINK )
Panellist "Are we in danger of reinstating a flawed status quo?" Construction Week (LINK)
Panellist "Building an Equal Future", WIC CIC at City Hall, LDN
Panellist "Women at MACE", IWD MACE
Chair, The value of Diversity driven networks, NAWIC Conference at RICS (LINK )
Panellist, BBC Woman’s Hour (LINK )
Co-Presenter "Become THAT leader" WIC Summit, LDN
Panellist, "Enhancing Your Critical Thinking: How to think ahead ?" WICE Awards Summit
Closing Speaker at Women in Construction Europe 2018, Amsterdam
Panellist, "How do you procure support through sponsors, mentors or networks?" WICE Awards Summit
Panellist, "How will Brexit affect women working in construction?" WICE Awards Summit
Panellist, "Leading your projects as a woman." WICE Awards Summit
ARTICLES AND MENTIONS
About Cristina, EDI and the Built Environment
25.04.2024
Every year the Women In Construction & Engineering Awards awards organise a summit in parallel to their judging day and since 2016 Cristina collaborates. In the past two years she has hosted the summit as a moderator. These are the links to the articles she wrote.
25.08.2023
From architect to advocate
"We talk to Cristina Lanz Azcarate, Co-Founding Director of atelier EURA, about being recognised as an inspirational businesswoman in STEM and construction, the challenges she’s faced along the way and much more."
27.06.2023
Building a brighter future
"On Thursday 22nd June 2023, the House of Lords, Palace of Westminster opened its doors to Inspirational Business Women in STEM & Construction, joined by Young Ambassadors seeking role models, as well as allies supporting the cause."
12.06.2023
Success redefined
Cristina Lanz Azcarate is a RIBA Chartered Member and the Director of atelier EURA, a design studio specialised in architecture that she co-founded in 2012. Cristina believes in the power that strategic design can bring to the built environment in order to create a positive impact on individuals, communities and businesses.
20.04.2023
Reuse, Retrofit, Recycle
"Last night, the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) UK & Ireland London and Southeast run an insightful event at the showroom of Kinnarps Group in Farringdon event at the showroom of Kinnarps Group in Farringdon. "
15.01.2023
The value of the unusual
"Earlier in the week , architect and designer Cristina Lanz Azcarate delivered this sold out workshop as part of NAWIC London’s Circular Economy awareness calendar."
15.01.2023
The challenge of educational outreach
"The week before last, and as part of the "Building Future London" project, I went back to school to discuss the Built Environment with a group of 11 year olds.
I was meant to be one of three volunteers. However, despite the efforts made by the organisers, only I showed up"
12.6.2020
Chair statement
Cristina's thoughts as Chair of NAWIC London and South East, a role that gives her a responsibility to speak up in a way that is both honest and helps raise collective awareness.
20.06.2020
Why teach social justice
As part of the conversation that followed the murder of George Floyd, Cristina discussed why learning Social Justice from childhood will set us in a path that will continue throughout our lives,
03.03.2020
Women at Mace
As part of a panel discussion, the transcript reflects Cristina's contribution on The Role of Culture and Relationships when looking to address the gender pay gap:.
09.2019
Ladies take over the city
"This aspirational message was keenly supported by chair of NAWIC, Cristina Lanz Azcarate, who has been a long-time advocate for change. "
06.2019
RIBA Expert Advisory Groups
Members of the RIBA Expert Advisory Groups use their expertise to inform RIBA responses to consultations, proactive campaigns as well as products and guidance to support the profession.
18.06.2019
Presenting evidence
Having submitted evidence (on how the retention and engagement of women in construction could be achieved) in response to the open call by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Excellence in the Built Environment Commission, Cristina was invited to present to the commission
05.2019
WIC Summit workshop
"Becoming that Leader" was a workshop delivered by collaborators Danna Walker (from the inspiring not-for-profit Built by Us) and Cristina in her role as Chair of NAWIC London and South East. This post has a link to the handout prepared by the speakers.
06.12.2018
WIC EU Summit 2018
Titled "Inspiring ourselves" , the transcript reflects Cristina's contribution to the summit. Hers was the closing talk of the European Summit in Amsterdam and it provided peers from across the continent the opportunity to learn from NAWIC's own experience.
27.04.2017
Diversity Driven Leadership
As I write this piece, I am only too aware that despite having become part of the mainstream vocabulary, the word “diversity” is not always fully understood.
08.03.2017
Women in construction
Perhaps traditionally seen as the industries most unsuited to women, but the construction industry is changing for the better, according to the women who work in it.
16.03.2016
ST Georges encourages women into construction
"On Tuesday 15 March 2016, the developer hosted ten NAWIC members on a site tour led by Kasia Dziala (Technical Coordinator at Chelsea Creek) and Julia Libera, Business Administration apprentice training on the site. "
