As part of International Women’s Day 2026, Woods Bagot is proud to share stories, experiences, and voices from empowered women across its Global Studio.
IWD 2026 marks 115 years of collective action. This year’s theme, #GiveToGain, highlights how acts of generosity, whether mentoring, sharing knowledge, or supporting others, create impact beyond the individual.
Women across the Global Studio were asked to share what #GiveToGain means to them, and an example of a moment on a project or in practice where they brought it to life.
“#GiveToGain speaks about something we see every day in practice: when we invest in others, we strengthen our whole industry. For me, it isn’t just a phrase — it’s something that I live by every day.
I had the opportunity to mentor two women in our Perth Studio both at different levels with different challenges but equally as impressively skilled, passionate, and excelling in their chosen career. Meeting monthly, we created a space for out of project open discussion, not only about design, but about leadership, communication and navigating complex project challenges.
By giving time, experience, and honest insight, we empower emerging leaders. It shapes careers, strengthens practices, and builds a more inclusive future for our industry.”
Human scale and local materiality are at the core of Woods Bagot’s designs for METRONET’s Morley-Ellenbrook line.
“#GiveToGain to me means giving my time, presence, and shared experience to support other women in our business. Our work, while extremely satisfying, can at times be really challenging. We often navigate situations we’ve never dealt with before — under time pressure, budget pressure, and challenging client dynamics — and it can feel isolating if you don’t have someone you feel comfortable turning to for advice. Confidence seems to grow faster when someone stands beside you — allowing you to own decisions while being there as a sounding board.
A moment that recently brought this to life was on the London House project, where a colleague returned from maternity leave to lead a significant project across three days a week. We created a broader network of support around her — prioritising clear communication with the client and PM, providing backup at key moments, and drawing in different voices where needed. What we gain is clear: stronger people, stronger projects, and a culture where women feel they haven’t lost any ground.”
Plans have been unveiled for the redevelopment of Perth-based real estate developer Sirona Urban’s CBD office building London House.
“I recognise the importance of giving back and the opportunities to do so are many and varied. Mentoring as a leader in the design industry is critical. It goes beyond simply transferring technical skills, we must act as a compass for emerging talent, helping them navigate complex, fast-paced creative landscapes, build professional confidence, and bridge the gap between design education and real-world practice.
Effective mentorship is a strategic investment that strengthens team cohesion, boosts retention, and cultivates the next generation of creative leadership. We need to generously give to gain depth and diversity in our practice and the industry more broadly.”
Heritage Lanes tangibly sets a new paradigm for Woods Bagot’s workplace design.
“To me, #GiveToGain is about creating momentum for others by sharing knowledge, amplifying voices and opening doors. On the 85 Gracechurch Street project, I build on our collaborative culture by keeping technical conversations open and accessible. Navigating compliance and regulatory requirements can feel intimidating, so widening those discussions beyond a small group makes a real difference. When we unpack challenges together and constructively question each other’s thinking, it builds confidence and shared ownership – and ultimately leads to more considered and robust outcomes.
Beyond project delivery, I’ve also played a role in advancing initiatives that increase visibility and opportunity for emerging talent, from engaging young creatives at the Festival of the Future to mentoring students through the RIBA Future Architects programme. Creating space for others, particularly women, matters. Seeing relatable journeys in the profession helps foster confidence, broaden aspirations and reinforce a positive belief in what’s possible.”
A new benchmark for commercial and cultural value in the City of London.
“Being the first person people meet when they enter our studio, what I give in those first moments can influence the whole day — not only for clients but also for my team. I choose to give small things consistently: a warm welcome, patience with questions, support to coworkers, positivity and calmness during stressful situations. The team became more comfortable communicating, clients felt more relaxed, and the studio became more organised and peaceful. When you sincerely give your time, care, and energy to others, it naturally comes back to you — and what you gain is greater than what you have given.”
Designed by Woods Bagot, this workspace aims to promote collaboration – with a layout that ensures vibrancy and connectivity, including flexible spaces to support multiple styles of working.
“To me, #GiveToGain is rooted in the ability to nurture, elevate, and expand what we touch. Over the past year, I’ve been hosting bi-weekly meditation sessions for our studio on a voluntary basis. What began as a simple 20-minute pause became a consistent space for clarity, resilience, and connection. By investing in collective wellbeing, we strengthened collaboration, focus, and studio culture. When we support growth and wellbeing, the impact ripples outward — strengthening not only individuals, but the teams and communities around them.”
“#GiveToGain means embracing generosity as the core of design leadership, sharing knowledge and opportunities not just to succeed individually, but to amplify collective impact at Woods Bagot and beyond.
Mentoring a young female designer on our Smith & Mills project brought this to life. It was her first restaurant, so I taught her the ropes through targeted feedback and hands-on guidance, bringing her up to speed quickly because early support builds lasting expertise. It mattered as she gained the confidence to contribute meaningfully, helping shape a moody, narrative driven speakeasy that exceeded client expectations while boosting her readiness for future projects and strengthening our team’s inclusive design culture.”
Soft lighting and vintage tones transport guests beyond the expected in a city landmark.
“For me, #GiveToGain is empathy in action — growth cultivated through daily acts of support. At Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Tainan, we moved beyond the brief to give local, aspiring artists a platform within the retail space. This simple act of giving forged a genuine connection between the building and its community.
I gave my time, openness, and willingness to collaborate — not only within our internal team, but also with our clients and local artists. By encouraging honest dialogue and creating space for creative contribution, I tried to ensure that everyone felt heard and valued throughout the process.”
Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Tainan
“For me, #GiveToGain is a leadership mindset that views collaboration as strategic. Great outcomes aren’t dictated from the top, they emerge when leaders actively create space for diverse voices to shape the work. By structuring our process around collaborative workshops and open dialogues, I created a framework to harness diverse perspectives — leading to a design solution that was more innovative and truly responsive to the community’s needs. The gain? A stronger design delivered efficiently, and a team that emerged more confident and capable.”
“#GiveToGain treats knowledge as a shared asset, not personal currency. When giving is normalised, performance is lifted. The Nansha projects put this into practice under real pressure — with multiple submissions due in a compressed timeline, the team operated with radical openness: exchanging skills, sharing lessons from past projects, and covering for each other seamlessly. What could have been a chaotic sprint became a streamlined, collaborative effort. With knowledge flowing freely, we solved problems faster and thought more creatively, and the benefit belonged to the whole team.”
Nansha Projects
“#GiveToGain represents generosity, collaboration, and staying true to my original intention. It means supporting the team with professionalism, energy, and empathy – refining the project and caring for its users. Only through sincere contribution can we earn trust, build connection, and create design that truly carries warmth.
On the Taizhou Yunhu project, I took on coordination and integration responsibilities across complex interfaces, intensive communication, and a demanding project timeline. Together with the team, I broke down challenges and ensured the quality of outcomes – delivering public spaces that were more inclusive and human-centred, while building a more confident, cohesive team.”
Taizhou Yunhu
“#GiveToGain is a mindset, not a transaction. It means choosing to lead with generosity – your time, empathy, creativity, or support – because giving creates a ripple effect that eventually comes back in meaningful ways.
The Biyun Mixed Use Project in Shanghai demands not just strong design capability, but a mindset shift – navigating compressed schedules, evolving client needs, and parallel workstreams. What I gave as a designer was a constant focus on the experience of space – making sure every decision supported a sense of comfort, clarity, and human warmth.”
Biyun Mixed Use
“Joining “Unique Female Voices, A Table to Share,” organised by Roca Shanghai Gallery and LAUFEN at Kerry Properties’ Qianhai Headquarters in Shenzhen, resonated deeply with this year’s theme #GiveToGain. I was truly honoured to meet so many outstanding female leaders that evening and was deeply inspired. When we share our expertise and insights generously across disciplines— architecture sharing with real estate, design conversing with development —we don’t just exchange ideas; we spark innovation none of us could achieve alone. This spirit of reciprocal generosity is what makes diverse voices at the table so powerful. Through sharing our journeys across crafting, navigating, visioning, empowering, re‑defining, and impacting, we are collectively shaping the future, across sectors and across horizons.”
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