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VOICE

Working as a Designer,
Not Defined by Being a “Woman”

Rieko Matsuoka

Chief
Architectural Design Department (Project Design)
Architectural Design Division

Joined Kajima Corporation, Architectural Design Division, 2002

01

Laying the Foundation for Design Work

Could you describe your current work?

Since joining the company in 2002, I have been engaged in architectural design. Design work involves various fields, including architectural planning, building services, and structural engineering. My current role is to build the foundation for the design process by forming teams of professionals from these different fields and guiding the project forward.
For each project, we work as one team, including the client. Clients often find it difficult to fully articulate their needs, but I find it rewarding when we are able to draw out the images they have in mind through dialogue and translate them into concrete proposals and realized designs.

02

Fostering a Sense of Responsibility and Motivation in My Team

What is your role as a chief?

In architectural design work, I do not have a particular awareness of being a “chief.” Regardless of title, I see my role as coordinating each project. However, the weight of the decisions I make and the responsibility that comes with them have increased over time. When working with team members and dispatched staff, I try to be thoughtful in how I assign and communicate tasks so that they feel both responsibility and motivation. For example, if someone receives no response to materials they prepared or ideas they developed, they may begin to wonder what they are working for. I make an effort to clearly explain the purpose of each task and to provide opportunities for direct discussion, so that they can receive real feedback on their work.

03

Understanding Differences Makes Work Smoother

When you joined the company, there were relatively few women in career-track positions.
Have you ever felt any difference in treatment compared with men?

Perhaps because I did not consciously focus on it, I have never felt a difference in treatment.
In our industry, there has been a movement to promote women’s participation, sometimes using terms such as “rikejo” (women in science) or “dobojo” (women in civil engineering). Compared with the past, I believe it has become easier for women to work. Today, having women in the workplace is normal, and those terms are used less frequently. I feel that I can work without my being a “woman” being treated as something special.
Personally, I see the difference between men and women as no different from the difference between people who smoke and those who do not. Smoking can create opportunities for communication in designated areas, but too much of it can be harmful. There are both positive and negative aspects. As long as we understand these differences, I believe work can proceed smoothly.

04

A Workplace with Increasing Female Representation

How has your department changed over time?

When I first joined the company, there were very few senior female colleagues. At that time, it seemed that only one woman was hired every two or three years. Around the time I joined, however, more women began entering the company, and now nearly half of the new hires in architectural design are women.
In addition, the scope of architectural design has expanded in recent years. Beyond architectural planning, there are now various areas such as urban planning, digital design, simulation, and universal design. Some employees do not come from architecture departments, and I feel that the field has become much more diverse.

WORK STYLE

A Perspective Gained in My Tenth Year
Switching Effectively Between Work and Rest

As I gained more experience, my approach to time management changed. Around my tenth year, I became better able to control my workload. Even during busy periods, I focus on my work during weekdays and avoid working on weekends in order to clearly separate work and personal time. On weekends, I make a point of doing activities completely unrelated to work to gain new input and perspectives. As a result, I feel refreshed on Mondays, and new ideas often come more easily.

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