arquitecta

Arquitecta is the feminine form of architect in Spanish, used to describe a woman who practices architecture. The term reflects gendered noun forms in Spanish, where arquitecto (masculine) and arquitecta (feminine) correspond to the profession.

In Spanish-speaking countries, an arquitecta is typically a professional who has completed a university program in architecture and is registered with a professional body to legally practice. Educational paths usually lead to a degree in architecture (grado o licenciatura en Arquitectura), followed by supervised professional experience and licensure or certification, depending on national or regional regulations. Professional titles and the right to practice are often regulated by bodies such as the Colegio Oficial de Arquitectos in Spain or equivalent colleges in Argentina, Chile, Mexico, and elsewhere.

Arquitectas perform similar roles to their male counterparts: conceiving and designing buildings and urban spaces, developing plans, calculating structural and environmental factors, coordinating with engineers and contractors, and often leading architectural studios or firms. Many architects specialize in areas such as sustainable design, restoration, heritage conservation, or urban planning. The field has historically seen gender-based barriers, but female architects have gained prominence and recognition worldwide.

Notable arquitectas include Zaha Hadid (Iraqi-British, Pritzker Prize laureate), Lina Bo Bardi (Brazilian modernist), Kazuyo Sejima (Japanese, co-founder of SANAA), Denise Scott Brown (American-Scottish), and Jeanne Gang (American).