User:AVellins/sandbox

Lisa is an architect that specialises in the domestic sector which, she discovered, is perfect for getting her "work-life balance just right." After being made redundant twice due to maternity leave, she decided, in 2010, to set up Raynes' Architecture,, so she could remain close to her husband and three children. However, the gender inequality within architecture continued to frustrate her, so recently she created the franchise Pride Road, which has been a Chartered Practice for only six months, yet is a "game changer for women in architecture," as it allows her to give her flexible business model to other architects, so they too could enjoy their families, as well as their work. Raynes argues that "On entering the architecture school, there is 50/50 split across genders but once you get into practice, the numbers fall to 20-30% of all architects being women," so despite women being equally interested in architecture, they "fall prey to economic cycles far more than men and once [they] decide to have a family."

Education and Achievements
Lisa Raynes studied at Leeds Metropolitan University before completing her Diploma in Architecture at the Bartlett at UCL, and has been a Chair of the RIBA North West Solo Practitioners Group and a Trustee of learning disability and mental health charity, Outreach. Raynes has founded Manchester Curious, a non-profit event inspired by London Open House and Heritage days, in order to promote appreciation of architecture in Manchester by the general public. Furthermore, Raynes writes an active blog, and has created a number of short films and mini guides on architecture, drawing form her 19 years of professional experience.