Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes; March 12, 2026.— As part of Women’s History Month, the School of Architecture at the Universidad Panamericana, Aguascalientes campus, held the second edition of the "Build, Create, and Inspire" Forum, an academic forum designed to highlight the role of women in the fields of architecture and construction.
Through this event, students and faculty had the opportunity to speak with leading experts who shared their professional experience and insights on architectural practice.
Professional experience dedicated to architectural heritage
The forum featured the participation of architects Ilse Thomae and Marlene Barba Rodríguez, professionals with extensive experience in the research, conservation, and restoration of architectural heritage.
Architect Ilse Thomae, who holds a master’s degree in Architectural Restoration from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, has built a distinguished career that combines public administration, private practice, and teaching.
Among its most notable projects are the restoration of historic facades in the Encino and Guadalupe neighborhoods of Aguascalientes, as well as the restoration of iconic sites such as the Aguascalientes Museum and the José Guadalupe Posada Museum.
For her part, Marlene Barba Rodríguez, an architect with a master’s degree in design and a Ph.D. in anthropology from the Autonomous University of Aguascalientes, has specialized in the study of industrial railway heritage. Her academic and professional work has contributed to the research, assessment, and preservation of various historic sites in the state, including the Tres Centurias Complex.
Architectural Restoration: The Future of Cities
During the discussion with the students, the architects addressed the professional prospects of pursuing a career in the restoration and conservation of architectural heritage in Mexico. For Marlene Barba, a passion for and commitment to the field make it possible to build a solid career in any area of architecture.
“When you have a calling and are passionate about what you do, there will always be a way to make a living from it. Mexico is a country with a rich cultural heritage and many job opportunities in this field,” he said.
In this regard, Ilse Thomae emphasized that the reuse and renovation of buildings will become increasingly important as cities continue to grow. “Cities are running out of land, so the reuse of buildings will be a priority. This opens up many possibilities for new generations of architects, ” she noted.
Both architects also agreed that architecture plays a fundamental role in preserving the historical and cultural memory of cities, which is why understanding and promoting architectural heritage is key to its conservation.
Ongoing training for professional development
The experts also reflected on the challenges they have faced throughout their careers in the field of architecture. For architect Marlene Barba, the main challenge has been to continue her professional development in order to strengthen her practice.
“The biggest challenge I’ve had to face is constantly preparing myself. From a personal standpoint and as a woman, I think it’s been essential for me not to set limits and to treat everyone as what we are: professionals,” she shared.
In this regard, he emphasized the importance of not allowing prejudices to influence professional development and of focusing on personal and academic growth.
Architect Ilse Thomae agreed that attitude and continuous learning are key factors for success in this field. “An architect’s greatest strength is the attitude of constantly updating their knowledge and approaching each project as something new. Today, there are many more opportunities for professional growth; it all depends on how dedicated they are to becoming professionals and preparing themselves, ” she said.
Promoting Women's Leadership in Architecture
Through initiatives such as the Build, Create, and Inspire Forum, the Universidad Panamericana its commitment to training professionals capable of making a positive impact on their communities and contributing to the development of more sustainable cities that are mindful of their history and heritage.
As part of Women’s History Month, these types of events also help highlight the growing participation of women in fields such as architecture and construction, inspiring new generations of students to develop their talents with discipline, creativity, and social responsibility.
