Welcome to Where it's AT | the Architectural Technology Podcast

Ann Vanner FCIAT speaks with Magdalena Blazusiak MCIAT, a Chartered Architectural Technologist, PhD researcher and lecturer at Robert Gordon University, about Women in AT, a free, inclusive community that connects, supports, and champions women in Architectural Technology. Magdelena describes the need for a safe space and shared voice in a male-dominated industry. They discuss barriers including limited understanding of what Architectural Technology offers, lack of tailored workplace support for progressing to Chartership (especially around maternity and non-linear career paths), loneliness (including from remote working), and the need for more structured support such as practical HR/legal guidance. They discuss values-led career development, allies (including men), and success defined by fulfillment and supportive community.

Ann Vanner FCIAT

Ann Vanner FCIAT is an accomplished Chartered Architectural Technologist, designer, and research consultant. She runs Healing Buildings, a design practice and educational consultancy dedicated to integrating health and wellbeing into architectural practice. Ann is also the co-founder of The School of Biophilia, an educational platform exploring the relationship between nature, learning, and the built environment. Working with communities, educators, and built environment professionals, Ann focuses on how nature-connected design can improve health, wellbeing, and environmental performance in the places people live, learn, and gather. As a Living Future Accredited professional and experienced academic, she combines practice, research, and education to advance more regenerative approaches to the built environment.

Magdalena Blazusiak MCIAT

Magdalena is a Chair of the Scottish Ecological Design Association (SEDA), an organisation promoting the design of communities, environments, projects, systems, services, materials and products which enhance the quality of life and are not harmful to living species and planetary ecology. She is a Chartered Architectural Technologist (MCIAT) with over a decade of industry experience, currently a lecturer and PhD researcher at the School of Architecture and Built Environment at Robert Gordon University. Magdalena’s main interests centre around psycho-social determinants of health in the context of housing and domestic retrofit, low-impact construction, bioeconomy strategy and understanding of relationships between people and the built environment. Having good understanding of the policy as well as the technical context of construction and retrofit of housing, she recently co-lead preliminary research on behalf of the Scottish Government on the Heat and Energy Efficiency Technical Suitability Assessment (HEETSA). Magdalena is a member of the Living Futures Institute, Straw Building UK and leads Women in Architectural Technology group in Scotland enabling discussions and co-designing solutions to inclusivity in the built environment industry.

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00:00 Introduction

01:20 Meet Magdalena Blazusiak and Women in AT

02:12 What the Community Does

04:22 Why the Network Started

05:33 Three Gaps to Fix

07:16 Barriers and Misconceptions

09:17 Chartership and Maternity Leave

12:23 Friendships, Loneliness and WFH

15:48 How the Community Helps

16:59 Advice for Early Career Women

22:34 Success in Ten Years

25:24 Mens Role in the Conversation

30:15 Practical Support and HR Help

36:40 Start Earlier Schools and Uni

41:11 Pride in the Profession

42:28 Closing Thanks and Outro

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Build a supportive community — don't go it alone

Women in Architectural Technology may find themselves as the only woman in the room. Having a community outside of work where you can share experiences, ask for advice, and sense-check situations makes a real difference. It helps fight loneliness, builds confidence, and gives you people who understand what you're going through.

Know your values and follow your passion

Architectural Technology can be whatever you make of it. Rather than sticking to a narrow job description, take time to work out what matters to you — your values, strengths, and interests. These act like a personal compass for your career. When you know what drives you, it's easier to spot opportunities and make choices that feel right.

The path doesn't have to be straight

Women often take sideways steps in their careers — whether because of life changes like having children, or simply following new interests. That's not a weakness. Those different experiences widen your view and make you stronger. Being open to a non-linear path, and getting the right support along the way (like help with chartership during maternity leave), can lead to a fulfilling career.

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Want to learn more about Architectural Technology, how to progress your career, or how to work with a Chartered AT? Head to architecturaltechnology.com to find out more

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Podcast recorded and edited by: Jon Clayton [Podcasting]

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Disclaimer

The contents and views expressed by individuals in the Where it's AT podcast are their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of the companies they work for or the Host. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as advice.