The shortlisted architects of the 2017 Women in Architecture Awards

The 2017 Women in Architecture Awards are as significant as ever, especially in an industry that still needs to work on equity as much as the rest of society. According to the annual ‘Women in Architecture: Working in Architecture’ survey, which was completed by over 1,600 respondents, more than half of the women surveyed said they have experienced some form of sexual discrimination (sexism, bullying, and sexual harassment), and 60 percent of mothers indicated that having children “had a detrimental effect on their career in architecture”. As for that widening pay gap, the survey reported that female partners and principals take home £55,000 less than men in the same roles.

Last week, the Architectural Review and the Architects' Journal announced Denise Scott Brown as the 2017 Jane Drew Prize recipient, while artist Rachel Whiteread won the Ada Louise Huxtable Prize. The competitive shortlist for Woman Architect of the Year Award and the Moira Gemmill Prize for Emerging Architecture were also recently revealed.

Have a look at this year's shortlisted architects below.

Woman Architect of the Year shortlist - highlights architects who, through recent work, have made an outstanding impact in the field through design excellence and thought leadership. It also recognizes projects that demonstrate exceptional design and awareness of geographical and political contexts.

Andrea Leers and Jane Weinzapfel, Leers Weinzapfel Associates (USA) Leers and Weinzapfel were shortlisted for their work on the East Regional Chilled Water Plant at The Ohio State University. The project uses perforated aluminium panels to achieve a refined aesthetic, while maintaining industrial utility.

Gabriela Carillo, Taller Mauricio Rocha + Gabriela Carrillo (Mexico): Gabriela Carillo was shortlisted for her work on the Criminal Courts for Oral trials in Pátzcuaro, Michoacán in Mexico–“which skilfully answers a brief to design flexible spaces, comply with strict security rules and improve transparency in the judicial process”. Taller Mauricio Rocha + Gabriela Carrillo is known for their Matamoros Theatre project in Morelia, the capital of Michoacán.

Julia Barfield, Marks Barfield Architects (UK): Julia Barfield is best known for designing some of London's most iconic landmarks like the London Eye observation wheel in 1999. She was shortlisted for Architect of the Year for the BA i360 structure in Brighton, which is regarded as the world's most slender tall tower in the Guinness Book of Records.

Anouk Legendre, XTU Architects (France): Legendre was shortlisted for the Cité du Vin in Bordeaux. The building lets wine-trail tourists buy, consume, and learn all about the area's wine culture and history.

Moira Gemmill Prize for Emerging Architecture shortlist - highlights female architects whose innovative architecture helps effect social change.

Ada Yvars Bravo, Mangera Yvars Architects (London): Yvars Bravo was cited for her “socially impactful and culturally erudite” design of the Qatar Faculty of Islamic Studies in Doha, Qatar. As part of the Qatar Foundation’s Education City, a landmark co-educational assembly of international leading universities, the brief called for a University and an open-to-the-public Campus Mosque.

Jing Liu, SO—IL (USA): Jing Liu of New York-based practice SO—IL was acknowledged for her work on the Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art on the University of California, Davis campus. The building features an extensive canopy that appears to rise from the surrounding regimented agricultural landscape and hover in the air.

Johanna Hurme, 5468796 Architecture (Canada): Hurme's projects include the Crossroads Garden Shed in Calgary and Migrating Landscapes (Canada's official entry for the 13th annual Venice Biennale), to the 62M Housing and Chair Your Idea in Winnipeg.

Rozana Montiel (Mexico): Known for designing community-centric buildings, Rozana Montiel's projects throughout Mexico include the Veracruz Cancha sports court, San Pablo Xalpa Unidad Habitacional (housing unit) and the Tepoztlan House.