Inspirational Women: Accelerating Action with Pippa Nissen, Director at Nissen Richards Studio

To celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, Design Insider is proud to present a special series highlighting Inspirational Women leading the way in commercial interiors. These visionary professionals are shaping the industry through experience, their unique approach, and a commitment to driving meaningful change.

This year’s theme, Accelerate Action, underscores the urgent need to dismantle systemic barriers and fast-track progress toward gender equality. At the current rate, full parity won’t be reached until 2158—five generations from now. By amplifying the voices of women who are making a tangible impact, we aim to inspire industry-wide action and showcase effective strategies that help move the needle faster.

In this exclusive interview series, we speak with Pippa Nissen, Director at Nissen Richards Studio, to explore her journey, insights, and the initiatives she supports to create a more inclusive and equitable commercial interiors sector. From championing rising talent to breaking down barriers in leadership, she shares how we can all contribute to a future where women thrive.

Can you start by introducing yourself, your role, and your business? What drives your passion for the work you do?

I’m Pippa Nissen, Director of Nissen Richards Studio, an architectural practice specialising in cultural projects. My work focuses mainly on exhibition, gallery, theatre and interior design.

What I love most about my role is the incredible variety of projects we do and the opportunity to collaborate with curators, clients, artists and other fascinating people. Each project revolves around an idea, a person, or a collection, and the research phase is always a joy – diving into new, endlessly intriguing subjects. No two projects are the same, and that’s what makes my job so rewarding.

The 2025 International Women’s Day theme is ‘Accelerate Action’ – a call to urgently address systemic barriers to gender equality. In your experience, what are the most pressing challenges women face in the commercial interiors sector, and how do you think these can be addressed faster?

The commercial interiors sector, like many industries, continues to face gender inequality, especially at senior levels. One of the most critical challenges remains the lack of women in leadership roles—greater representation at the top is essential to shifting the culture and driving change.

Better practical support for childcare is crucial to help women advance in their careers without being unfairly disadvantaged. At the same time, men must have the freedom to take on childcare responsibilities without judgment, creating a more balanced and equal workplace.

Workplace culture also plays a significant role. Reducing male aggression, challenging soft sexism, and calling out mansplaining when it occurs are essential steps in changing outdated power dynamics. Even unintentional, these behaviours perpetuate inequality, and addressing them is vital to creating a more inclusive and supportive environment.

Supporting organisations that uplift women is a cornerstone of this year’s campaign. Are there any groups, initiatives, or movements within the commercial interiors industry – or beyond – that you actively support or draw inspiration from? How can individuals and businesses in this sector help accelerate their impact?

Change happens one step at a time, and I believe the most effective way to create impact is through action rather than creating division or being angry. While I’m keen not to separate women and men, I strongly believe that real progress comes from ensuring women are promoted, included in management teams, and given the visibility and voice they deserve.

Representation at the top shifts perspectives and opportunities for everyone. Individuals and businesses can accelerate this change by actively supporting, mentoring, and championing women in their own companies. Small, consistent changes will collectively reshape the industry, making equality – and equity – something that is normal rather than the exception.

Which other inspirational women are disrupting the commercial interiors sector or related fields right now, and what impart do you think their work will have on the future of the industry – or society as a whole?

Many talented women are emerging with their own practices, and it’s inspiring to see their work gaining recognition. At Nissen Richards Studio, we’re proud to have several remarkable women in key roles; Marie-Lise Oulmont, Kate Coghlan, Sophie Mitchell, Amelia Bloore, Candy Wall and Andrea Hickey – all strong, independent thinkers who bring immense value to our practice.

It was fantastic to see Clementine Blakemore and Annalie Riches present their work at the Stirling Prize Awards – both are brilliant, strong, and human – qualities that often define successful women in design. I also greatly admire vPPR, led by three female directors; Tatiana von Preussen, Catherine Pease, and Jessica Reynolds. Their work often combines decorative elements with something more rationalist, a combination I find particularly interesting.

The influence of these and other inspirational women will continue to shape a more inclusive and dynamic future for commercial architecture and interiors.

One of the IWD principles emphasises understanding what works and doing more of it. What strategies, tools, or practices within the commercial interiors sector have you seen that are effectively advancing women in leadership, design, or business? How can these be scaled to make a broader impact?

At Nissen Richards Studio, one of the most effective strategies we’ve introduced is a ‘Core Hours’ approach, inspired by the working practices of our clients in Norway. This allows team members to choose their working hours within set parameters, giving them greater control over their schedules. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for women with young children, enabling them to balance professional responsibilities with childcare.

Beyond practical policies, fostering a culture that values different voices and perspectives is something I am passionate about. We believe that a range of viewpoints leads to richer, more innovative design solutions. Supporting inclusivity at every level – whether in leadership, design, or business – ensures the industry continues to evolve in a meaningful way. To scale these practices, businesses must go beyond flexible policies and actively create opportunities for diverse talent to thrive.

What advice would you give to young women looking to make their mark in the commercial interiors sector? How can they contribute to the global effort to accelerate action for gender equality?

My advice to young women looking to make their mark in the commercial interiors sector would be to do what you truly enjoy. Passion will drive your creativity, helping you navigate challenges along the way. It’s perfectly fine to find your voice gradually – there’s no rush. Allow yourself the time to grow and evolve.

Become really skilled at what you do and keep building on that expertise. This will both give you confidence and open doors. Once you’ve established a position of authority, make it one of your priorities to give other women and individuals with diverse voices opportunities. Supporting one another fosters a more inclusive and enjoyable work environment.

By championing each other and creating space for diverse perspectives, we can change working culture and contribute to the global effort to accelerate gender equality. Every small step helps create lasting change.

At the current rate of progress, full gender equality won’t be achieved until 2158. If you could accelerate one key change within the commercial interiors sector that would have the greatest impact on closing the gender gap sooner, what would it be?

The key change would be increased government support for childcare, benefiting both men and women, but with a particular focus on women.

Many women still face financial barriers when returning to work, as the cost of childcare often outweighs their income. This creates a difficult, emotional choice: return to work and potentially lose out financially, or stay at home and lessen your career advancement. By providing affordable and accessible childcare, the government would enable women to re-enter the workforce without facing financial penalties. This would not only help close the gender gap but also level the playing field for both men and women, allowing them to share equally in the responsibilities of work and childcare.

Finally, what message would you like to share with the global community this international Women’s Day to inspire collective action toward gender equality?

This International Women’s Day, my message is: We are all brilliant and unique, and we don’t need to change who we are to succeed.

Let’s celebrate our differences and embrace the diversity of talents and personalities we bring to the table. Whether we’re shy, quiet, nerdy, confident, or thoughtful – it’s all okay! There’s no need to conform to any mould or stereotype. Let’s focus on enjoying our work, being true to ourselves, and supporting one another in creating a world where everyone can thrive, regardless of how we decide to express ourselves.

Read more interviews in this series HERE!