She Builds UK
2023-2024
She Builds UK is a photography project that was set up to inspire females to consider working in the construction industry, by celebrating those that already do. When talking to my then-seven year old daughter about jobs that she might like to do when she’s older, I explained that she (and all girls) could do any job she wanted. Her response was to say “I can’t be a builder, only men are builders”. Clearly she couldn’t be what she couldn’t see.
This led me to develop the idea for a photography exhibition: a physical and digital collection of portraits featuring women already working in the construction industry. With support from industry heavyweights like Aecom, Bechtel and the RICS, we photographed 60 women from all levels of the hierarchy, and from all quarters of the industry. We launched the project at the Building Centre in central London and then installed it at the RICS HQ and at a Berkeley Homes construction site in East London. At the latter, school visits took place - completing the loop between my daughter’s statement, and my desire to show young girls what they can do.
The photography concept was to make it easy for young eyes and minds to see the person. I didn’t want them distracted by backgrounds, apparent hierarchical levels, particular roles, etc. I wanted a ‘wall of trading cards’ that displayed pure personality and character. Below is the full set of portraits that were used for the physical exhibition - these feature individuals representing a broad cross-section of the UK’s construction industry.
