book
According to a recent American study, sexism and racism are so widespread in architecture that there is a distaste for these topics within the branch itself. What are the reasons for this exclusionary working culture? Even in Germany, most architecture graduates since the turn of the millennium have been female—but a large number of conventions and assumptions within the discipline make it difficult for women to remain in the profession. As a result, a great deal of highly trained talent is lost. Black Turtleneck, Round Glasses uses an intersectional feminist perspective to examine the structural causes that push women—and anyone else who isn’t a white cis man—out of the field. How can architectural teaching and discourse, as well as the industry’s self-image, become more diverse? Where are the experiences of a pluralistic society missing from the built environment? How can we bring about cultural change in planning and architecture?
Featuring an interview with the Dutch architect Afaina de Jong
Book design: PAPINESKA Monika Grobel-Jaroschewski
English translation: Joann Skrypzak-Davidsmeyer, Rebecca van Dyck
reviews
Black Turtleneck, Round Glasses: a title that quickly became a bestseller in the [German-speaking] architecture scene last year.
In baunetzCampus on LinkedIn May 16, 2023 (original in German)
Karin Hartmann’s Black Turtleneck, Round Glasses . . . is a page-turner of horror, fed by stories so surreal that they could only derive from reality, and you wish it wasn’t all true. The reading is entertaining and—to put it cynically—amusing, but it resonates all the longer. That’s a good thing.
Ramona Kraxner, in Baumeister Aug 22, 2023 (original in German)
The book unravels a rich overview of dynamics in the sector, supported by many references to literature and research from Germany but also from other European countries and the United States. . . . Hartmann’s book is a welcome overview of the issues surrounding gender and diversity that play a role in the architectural practice. . . . A particular strength of the book is that Hartmann doesn’t shy away from making sharp statements and explicitly points out the structural discrimination in the sector. . . . A broader awareness and knowledge in the industry are indispensable, and Black Turtleneck, Round Glasses can make an important contribution to that.
Evelien Pieters, in archined.de Mar 20, 2023 (original in Dutch)
blurbs
Black Turtleneck, Round Glasses is a fresh and touching essay that opens eyes to equality and justice. Karin Hartmann makes visible the new and old claims and proposals that are needed for better architectures and cities for all. Because changing ways of doing is a necessity, feminism is the clue.
—Zaida Muxí Martínez, Professor at ETSAB-UPC Barcelona
Karin Hartmann’s book Black Turtleneck, Round Glasses is a comprehensive, thorough education of the reader—male or female—about the relentless limitations women experience in the field of architecture even today: be it in their private, family, artistic, or professional life. I recommend this book to every architecture student, or aspiring architect; especially to decision makers ranging from the client or academic administrator to the employer.
—Dagmar Richter, Professor at Pratt Institute Brooklyn
talks
Jan 19, 2024 Vienna
Book talk with the Collective Claiming*Spaces
Jan 26, 2024 Berlin
Panel speaker at the book release of Die Architektin by Till Raether, urania berlin
Mar 17, 2024 Berlin
Book release of Unlearn Patriarchy #2, Kino International
Scheduled for spring 2024, Aachen
Guest speaker at the lecture series ArchitektINNENwelten, FH Aachen—University of Applied Sciences
previous events
Dec 01, 2023 Heidelberg
Lecture at the symposium MATRI:ARCHITEKTUR hosted by the Baden-Württemberg Chamber of Architects
Nov 14, 2023 Kassel
Book release and talk less:patriarchy with the student collective less:on and the Kassel chapter of Architects for Future, University of Kassel
Oct 10, 2023 Frankfurt am Main
Speaker at the panel discussion Schwarzer Rolli Update: Wie steht es aktuell um die Gender Equality in der Architektur?, Deutsches Architekturmuseum
Sep 27, 2023 Kiel
Book release and panel discussion, Forum Baukultur Kiel
Sep 26, 2023 Stade
Book talk Stadt für viele = Stadt der Vielfalt?, Buchhandlung Schaumburg
Jun 22, 2023 Kaiserslautern
Key note address at the symposium Come as you are, Technical University (TU) Kaiserslautern
Jun 08, 2023 Berlin
Lecture Bauwende = Berufswende?, Fifth anniversary celebration of the Natural Building Lab (NBL), Technical University (TU) Berlin
Jun 06, 2023 Berlin
Lightning talk Vielfalt statt Othering: Die Stadt der Anderen*, re:publica digital society festival, Berlin
May 31, 2023 Koblenz
Book release as part of the lecture series PROFILE, University of Applied Sciences Koblenz
May 25, 2023, Hannover
Speaker at the panel discussion Sexismus und toxisches Arbeitsklima: Erfolgskiller Nr. 1 in der Bau- und Immobilienwirtschaft, REAL ESTATE ARENA trade fair Hannover Messe
May 24, 2023 Frankfurt
Speaker at the panel discussion Innenstadt der Zukunft – Wie diskriminierend oder diskriminierungsfrei ist unsere Stadtplanung?, Frankfurt Opera (not public)
May 23, 2023 Antwerp, Belgium
Book release and talk as guest speaker at the PAF Community, Stadsform
May 17, 2023 Darmstadt
Book release as part of lecture series POSITIONEN, Technical University of Darmstadt
May 02, 2023 Potsdam
Book release at the student collective Perspektiv;wechsel, University of Applied Sciences Potsdam
Apr 30, 2023 Dortmund
Moderator of book release of Leslie Kern’s Gentrification is inevitable and Other Lies, the author was present, Baukunstarchiv North-Rhine Westphalia
Apr 28, 2023 Karlsruhe
Book release at the closing event of the exhibition M*1:1 *verborgene Ansichten und weibliche Perspektiven in der Architektur, Architekturschaufenster Karlsruhe
Mar 08, 2023 Hamburg
Book release and panel discussion, Association of German Architects (BDA)
Mar 07, 2023 Düsseldorf
Book release and talk, RKW Architektur+ (not public)
Mar 01, 2023 Bonn
Speaker at the panel discussion Care-sensible Stadtplanung, Equal Care Day Conference 2023
Jan 30, 2023 Instagram
Online book release and talk, Vorleser_innen Der moderne Buchclub
Jan 10, 2023 Cologne
Book release and panel, Faculty of Architecture, Cologne University of Applied Sciences
Dec 15, 2022 Aachen
Speaker at panel discussion Podiumsdiskussion und Ausstellung Frauen am Reiff, RWTH Aachen University
Dec 06, 2022 Bremen
Laudatio as part of the award ceremony Bremer Auszeichnung für Baukultur, awarded to the
Feministische Organisation von Architektinnen und Planerinnen (FOPA) Bremen
Nov 15, 2022 Bremen
Book release and talk as part of the exhibition
Architektur für Alle?! Emanzipatorische Bewegungen in Planung und Raum,
Wilhelm Wagenfeld Haus
Oct 27, 2022 Berlin
Book release and panel discussion, Fachgebiet DE/CO, Institute for Architecture, Technical University (TU) Berlin
contact
Would you like to give away a signed book? Then feel free to write to me the contact form.
For press inquiries, lectures or book presentations, you can reach me at post@schwarzerrollihornbrille.de