• Your name:            Lauren Evans
• Your age group:   26 - 35

• Your role title/trade within the Building industry?

• Landscape Architect.

• What is involved in training for your role?

To become a Lanscape Architect, I had to complete a 3 year undergraduate degree (Bachelor of Build Environment - Landscape Architecture) and then I completed a 2 year post graduate degree (Graduate Diploma of Landscape Architecture) at the Queensland University of Technology.

However, the course structure has changed significantly since I finished my degrees, and now students have to complete a 4 year Bachelor of Design (Landscape Architecture) at the Queensland University of Technology.

• What obstacles have you overcome on your path into and through the Building industry?

One of the biggest obstacles that I survived was my commitment to full time employment, whilst completing the Graduate Diploma, renovating my post war house and meeting the challenges of motherhood simultaneously. Thankfully I had the much needed and appreciated help and support of not only my workplace but of my friends and family.

Another recent obstacle was when I elevated into the role of an Associate Landscape Architect after six years of progression. I had to quickly negotiate the demands of increased leadership responsibilities and business operation.

• Lessons Learned?

I've learned the importance of effective leadership and its direct influence on the motivation and commitment of my colleagues.

• Why do you think it is important to establish a name and better recognised opportunities for females in Building?

I think it's important to establish a name and better recognised opportunities for women in the Building industry in order to break through the real and false perceptions both structually and culturally.

In general, low representation of women within the industry has been attributed to male dominance, lack of employment opportunities, labour intensive, negative attitudes and behaviours and overall experience.

I think we need to promote and educate women about the building industry and the real benefits and satisfaction that the industry can bring. I think women can benefit from the broad range of skills and activities that are on offer and it is a very gratifying experience to see your design come into fruition.

• What are your goals for the future?

My goals for the future are to continue to manage motherhood and my career, whilst developing my creative skills further in order to exceed client expectations of appropriate landscape design.

I also want to continue delivering projects on time and within the budget set.

• How do you effectively deal with your workplace culture?

I believe our workplace culture can be summarised as being supportive and flexible which caters for the important work/life balance. Throughout my six years of employment with my current company, I have found our workplace culture to be very accommodating for my responsibilities as a parent, the necessary industry training and completion of my formal education. Being a small office, we often communicate about what's happening, discuss problems and solutions, bounce ideas off each other and share knowledge as we all have our own strengths and weaknesses. From time to time we organise social events, to get more aquainted with each other and improve working relationships. All in all, I find my workplace culture suits my lifestyle.

• Has there been a role model you have looked to for inspiration?

I take inspiration from a lot of different gardeners and designers. However, each site that I visit has its own unique character and personality which I embrace and forms the catalyst of inspiration for the design process. Ultimately places are about people and designers should be creating environments that evoke harmony and balance whilst satisfying form and function.

• Lauren's inspirational message:

Think beyond the ordinary and design the extrondinary.