Ideas worth spreading

How to design workplaces & cities for women

38,930 views |

Virginia Santy |

TEDxMileHigh

• November 2022

From DaVinci's Vitruvian Man to the Modular Man of the mid-20th century, we've used measurements of men's bodies to create everything around us. Chairs. Doorways. Buildings. Cars. The basic structures of our physical environments work against women, in subtle and not-so-subtle ways, from too-cold offices to too-heavy doors. Design consultant Virginia Santy shares how designing an office for women sparked an even greater conversation: what if we built whole cities and economies for women?

From DaVinci's Vitruvian Man to the Modular Man of the mid-20th century, we've used measurements of men's bodies to create everything around us. Chairs. Doorways. Buildings. Cars. The basic structures of our physical environments work against women, in subtle and not-so-subtle ways, from too-cold offices to too-heavy doors. Design consultant Virginia Santy shares how designing an office for women sparked an even greater conversation: what if we built whole cities and economies for women?

This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxMileHigh, an independent event.

Read more about TEDx.

About the speaker

Virginia Santy

Women’s Economic Strategist

Throughout Dr. Virginia Santy’s career as a startup founder, executive advisor, and researcher, one thing remains constant: her dedication to improving the lives of all women through data, design, and innovation. She co-founded Women in Kind, the first co-working space in Colorado designed for women, and negotiated a successful sale of that business in 2019. She consults with cities and business districts on designing spaces and policies that support women’s economic success in the public and private sectors. Last but never least, Virginia is the mother of a warrior-hearted daughter.

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This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxMileHigh, an independent event.

Read more about TEDx.