“Frau Architekt” Exhibition, Goethe Institut, Nicosia Cyprus - 2021
Frau Architekt – Goethe Institut, 2021
The history of architecture over the last century is inseparable from the contributions of women architects—yet their role has often been underrepresented. The Frau Architekt exhibition, presented by the Goethe-Institut in 2021, sought to give long overdue visibility to pioneering and contemporary female architects. Featuring 22 women architects from Germany and 11 from Cyprus, the exhibition illustrated through portraits, selected works, and personal stories how women have significantly shaped architectural culture, from the Bauhaus era to the present day.
Originally conceived at the Deutsches Architekturmuseum (DAM) in Frankfurt, the exhibition was later expanded by the Goethe-Institut Cyprus in collaboration with Teresa Tourvas and Müge Rıza to include Cypriot women architects. This enriched version, presented in Nicosia, offered a broader regional perspective on the impact of women in the profession. Among those selected was Simzer Kaya, recognized for her role as a new-generation entrepreneur and for her innovative use of steel architecture in contemporary practice. Her projects, which embrace the structural possibilities and design flexibility of steel, reflect a progressive vision that stood out as an important contribution to the exhibition.
Being part of Frau Architekt was both an honor and an affirmation of a professional journey dedicated to exploring new materials, technologies, and approaches. It was also a reminder that architecture is strengthened by diverse voices, and that innovation often comes from challenging conventions and reimagining possibilities.
https://www.goethe.de/ins/cy/en/kul/ges/fra.html
