Translated with DeepL
From bridges and skyscrapers to sustainable infrastructure, female civil engineers have been shaping our environment for centuries. What many people don't realise: Numerous iconic buildings - from the Brooklyn Bridge in New York to the Tour Saint Jacques in Basel and the Rolex Learning Centre at the EPF Lausanne - were built under the leadership of women. These female engineers have written construction history with their knowledge, creativity and commitment.
Nevertheless, their role often remains invisible to this day. The image of civil engineering is still strongly characterised by traditional stereotypes. This is precisely where the "Queens of Structure" exhibition comes in. It focuses on the achievements of women who have shaped and developed the profession of civil engineering and makes their stories and projects accessible to a broad public.
The exhibition is deliberately designed in a public space and is freely accessible. It invites visitors to pause for a moment as they stroll through the Jardin Anglais, take in the portraits and projects and discover the diversity of the engineering profession. 18 female engineers are presented with their careers, ways of thinking and projects - the so-called "Queens".
The project is not only aimed at specialists, but also explicitly at the general public and young people in particular. Special guided tours are planned for school classes to show how exciting and varied technical professions are. The exhibition also aims to help break down stereotypes and inspire more girls and young women to pursue a career in civil engineering.
The vernissage will take place on 9 October 2025 from 12 to 2 pm at the Jardin Anglais. After a guided tour of the exhibition, the organisers and partners will present the project and provide insights into its development. Afterwards, there will be an opportunity to talk directly to female engineers over an aperitif.
Neuchâtel civil engineer Rachel Nenavoh, Director of SD ingénierie, says: "What excites me most about my profession is that we female engineers contribute directly to improving people's daily lives, often in a way that they don't even realise."
"Queens of Structure" impressively demonstrates that female civil engineers not only plan and realise buildings, but also assume central responsibility for the preservation of cultural heritage, for sustainable infrastructure and for a future worth living.
The project is sponsored by the Société suisse des ingénieurs et architectes (SIA), supported by the Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences (SATW) as part of its specialised funding and by the Association neuchâteloise des ingénieurs civils (ANIC). The exhibition is an invitation to dialogue: It aims to show how diverse the profession is and how broad the tasks are, from the design of large bridges to the realisation of infrastructures for the mobility of tomorrow. And, above all, how much women are already contributing today to ensuring that engineering remains socially relevant and future-orientated.
Duration: 8 to 28 October 2025
Location: Jardin Anglais, Neuchâtel (at Fun'ambule, accessible from the station by funicular to the University stop)
Opening: 9 October 2025, 12 to 2 pm (with guided tour, welcome and aperitif, free of charge, registration required)
More information at: www.queens-of-structure.org
More about the SATW's specialised funding: https://www.satw.ch/de/foerderung/fachfoerderung
