This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Australian Architect Jo Gillies has a passion for revealing the hidden meaning behind a design. She illustrates how the built environment reflects masculine and feminine energies, and why a balance is so important to us all. Jo is an architect with a passion for revealing the hidden meaning behind a design. As part of her intent to add a broader eco-spiritual approach to Architecture, she travelled to Africa in 2011 and in 2013 spent time with Australian Aboriginal elders experiencing their stories about Songlines. Working as a female Architect in what was seen as a largely male dominated, Jo combines her own blend of unique design principles with a more sustainably spiritual orientation. Gender focus was not the issue but more of a sensitivity and ideology based on balance, fluidity, style, engineering and sustainability issues. Sometimes the influence came from particular architects philosophies and ideologies. However Jo’s inspiration mostly was from being a mother and experiencing the changing needs of our built environment ; whilst other times is was mixing sacred geometry, golden ratios and ancient wisdoms with a social and environmental conscience. It all started with Jo’s childhood passion for Architecture, Art and a constant search for balance with who we are and how the built space can both support and reflect both the masculine and feminine energies. Ultimately it’s about creating spaces we really love to be in. Jo Studied Architecture at Sydney University then travelled extensively and completed an Honours degree with a Thesis focused on the Public Squares of Europe which increased her awareness of the impact of design on people. This renewed focus on soulful design led to a cofounding an architecture firm with architect Sue Connor, designing residential homes, commercial and specialist facilities. About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

Comments

1. I don`t believe that attributing principles of design to gendered traits is necessarily a wise practice. We see consistently that people vary wildly in the way they choose to express their gender. Therefore, without getting too wordy about this, I need to say that this perspective is limiting, and does not hold truth for some people who have contrary experience. Including myself. While is is clear that design should have variety to be pleasing, it needs to be said that masculine does not always equal domineering and feminine does not always equal soft and curvy. Masculine and feminine will always be defined differently in different cultures.
2. Very interesting ! The fact is that life is not possible without masculine feminine balance
   Love yr work !.
3. Thanks Jo, for encouraging us to look at things and think about them like we never have before... You make a lot of sense and you come across as someone who is passionate about her trade...
   I'd love to talk with you about other buildings with a feminine to masculine balance... I for one have entered many a place where the ladies' toilets are further away, smaller and harder to access than men's... It doesn't make sense, as women probably use the toilet more and stay in it longer than men... I always think:"This place was designed by men for sure!" The Adelaide Airport is about the only place I can recall where the ladies' was easier to access... I bet you a million bucks it was designed by a lady! Or at least by a guy who really loved his Mum and Sisters!
   Interesting tour thoughts on the last 2 buildings and would love to hear your thoughts on the Taj Mahal...
   I enjoyed this Talk, it is clear you are smart lady with a heart to boot, the best kind to be!
4. The opening shot of this video shows a building that is apparently 'masculine' with no soft feminine curves in it. What the hell were all those 'soft round feminine' columns doing there?
5. Is she retarded?
6. "... an example of a heavy brutal, masculine architecture". Your example of male architecture is the Nazi regime. Wow. 
7. Thank you Jo. You've created some wonderful discussion in sharing these principles. The golden mean, I knew as the Fibonacci sequence.  Great presentation skills.  I've shared already on social media. :)
8. I never really played much attention to the 4th year students and lectures saying that architects make life as a civil engineer difficult but now I see why. I will never allow someone as foolish as this to ruin the buildings I work on, I shall become an architect as well as a civil engineer to avoid the problem completely.
9. This Tedx Talk has inspired me so much as an aspiring architect, thank you for sharing this.
10. Me too i hate it