ABOUT CRISTINA LANZ AZCARATE
RIBA, ARB, NAWIC
An EDI advocate through practice and volunteering, Cristina is one of the Founding Signatories of the 2020 RIBA Inclusion Charter which proposes a cultural change to break down barriers and make architecture more inclusive.
But this is, by no means, her only contribution towards this endeavour.
The Outgoing London and Southeast Chair on behalf of NAWIC UK (08.2013-03.2022) has been a Mentor at Fluid Mentoring and a speaker in Schools with Inspiring the Future since 2013. .
At the start of 2017 she joined RIBA’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Advisory Group (and Mayor of London's Design Advocate Organisation) Architects For Change and most recently, at the start of 2022, she joined the Women in Architecture Mentoring Programme as a mentor.
Throughout her volunteering, she has been able to support the careers of numerous individuals and organisations and the experience has been invaluable.
This page aims to collect some of her contributions with the hope that they may be of use to others . It is also here to highlight the organisations she volunteers with because they deserve to be highlighted at every opportunity.
VOLUNTEERING
If you have wondered about volunteering, here are Cristina's choices
2013-present
Mentor
Built by us 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.
2013-present
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-present
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-present
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-present*
EDI Advisor
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".
NOTE WORTHY ACHIEVEMENTS
Linked Cristina's work around EDI
06.2023
12.2022 - present
10.2020
2020-present
2016, '17, '20, '21
2019
06.2019
2019
2019-2020
2017
Inspirational Businesswomen in STEM and Construction, winner
Innovation Champion at the IDP by Nottingham Trent University in partnership with Morgan Sindall Construction.
Founding Signatory, RIBA Inclusion Charter, RIBA
Alumnae, Women of the Year Alumnae Club
Judge, European Women in Construction and Engineering Awards
Finalist, Women in construction LCA (group submission NAWIC)
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
RECORDINGS
About EDI and the Built Environment
Over the years Cristina has been invited to speak at many events and to take part in some very interesting discussions. Unfortunately, not all were recorded. Here are some that were.
ARTICLES AND MENTIONS
About Cristina, EDI and the Built Environment
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.
10.2020
RIBA inclusion charter
The RIBA Inclusion Charter invites RIBA members to step up and demonstrate their commitment to making architecture more inclusive.
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."
10.2020
RIBA inclusion charter
The RIBA Inclusion Charter invites RIBA members to step up and demonstrate their commitment to making architecture more inclusive.
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
03.03.2020
Women at Mace
03.2020
Building an Equal future
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,
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:.
Women into Construction marked #IWD2020 at City Hall London to discuss building an equal future in construction with a group of women from across the industry. The room was abuzz with positivity, solidarity & enthusiasm.
09.2019
Ladies take over the city
06.2019
RIBA Expert Advisory Groups
18.06.2019
Presenting evidence
"This aspirational message was keenly supported by chair of NAWIC, Cristina Lanz Azcarate, who has been a long-time advocate for change. "
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.
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 comission
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
08.03.2017
Women in construction
16.03.2016
ST Georges encourages women into construction
03.2014
#NotJustForBoys
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.
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.
"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. "
Independent report by the Smith Institute