Paula’s journey into timber frame design might be a familiar one to those in the same profession. At school, she had a clear interest in technical drawing, a subject she enjoyed and excelled in. Initially considering a degree in architecture, the prospect of a five-year university course seemed daunting, prompting her to take a gap year. That decision led to an opportunity as a trainee timber frame design technician, and she has never looked back.

“It was a field that I was interested in already,” Paula recalls. “I had been using AutoCAD in my higher graphic communication class, so I already had some skills. I thought I’d try it for a year and see what happened, and that’s been me ever since.”

Despite her early passion, formal training in timber frame design was hard to come by. “There isn’t a course specifically for timber frame design — it just doesn’t exist,” Paula explains. Instead, she took a basic construction qualification through day release at college, covering various aspects of the industry before learning the specifics of timber frame design on the job.

“There’s training you can do for certain programmes and design software but nothing that’s going to specifically teach you timber frame design,” she adds. “You’re really just learning from other designers that have gone before you.”

Paula believes that as governments push for net zero targets, timber frame construction will become increasingly important. “Timber is a very sustainable building material, and I think it’s popularity is only going to grow,” she says. She also argues that having a dedicated timber frame qualification could help attract more talent to the field and support industry growth.

Having been with Fleming Timber Structures for nearly four years, Paula’s role as a technical commercial manager involves overseeing everything pre-construction. Sales, estimating and managing the design team are all within her remit.

Unlike many timber frame companies that focus on the residential market, Fleming Timber Structures specialises in large-scale projects such as hospitals and schools. The firm often engages with clients early in the design stage to optimise their use of timber.

“The early involvement is important and really interesting,” Paula says. “It means we can get in at the bottom rung and help with buildability. Timber frame is what we do, so we can advise best on how to make it work.”

Navigating a male-dominated industry

As a woman in construction, Paula has faced challenges — particularly in the early years of her career. “You turn up on-site as a young woman and get that look of ‘what do you know?’” she says. “I think I’ve grown a thick skin for that kind of stuff because it’s just part and parcel of being a woman in this industry.”

Even now, she occasionally encounters outdated assumptions, such as being mistaken for a receptionist on the phone.

However, she acknowledges progress. “It’s definitely improving. I work with some great men who value my input and take my opinion seriously. But there are still moments where I have to prove myself more than a man in the same position would.”

Paula believes that having more women in decision-making roles will accelerate change. “The more women in the room, the less you have to fight for credibility. It’s just accepted that you know what you’re talking about.”

So, how can the industry attract and retain more women? Flexibility, Paula argues, is key. “Women still tend to do the lion’s share of childcare and household work. Offering flexible working arrangements could make construction careers more accessible.”

She concedes: “I know it’s difficult in construction. Obviously, we’ve got sites that are open for a set amount of hours and there are only so many hours of daylight in a day. So you have to get the work done when it’s suitable. But I think we should be looking at finding a bit of a balance.”

She also stresses the importance of visibility. “We need to show that these jobs exist for women. When people think of construction, they imagine young men learning trades like bricklaying and joinery. But there are roles in design, estimating, and sales where women can excel just as much as men.”

Finding female mentors in construction has been difficult for Paula, simply because there have been so few. However, she credits a former manager at Stewart Milne Timber Systems for setting an example of strong leadership. “He was encouraging and supportive, and he shielded his team from upper management pressures. That’s the kind of manager I want to be.”

Paula believes that diverse teams lead to better outcomes. “Everybody brings different experiences and perspectives. Older team members have knowledge from years in the industry, while younger people bring fresh ideas. That mix is valuable.”

She also notes that women often bring calmness and multitasking skills to the table — both crucial in a fast-paced, problem-solving environment. “Some days are spent firefighting across multiple projects. Being able to juggle priorities is essential.”

When asked about the future of women in construction, Paula remains realistic but hopeful. “Someone told me it could take until 2158 to achieve proper gender balance in construction. That’s a long time. But the sooner we encourage women to enter the industry, the quicker that change will come.”

She also calls for greater awareness and challenging of unconscious bias. “Little things, like assuming an email should be addressed to ‘Paul’ instead of ‘Paula,’ or speaking over women in meetings, add up. If people notice these things and make a conscious effort to change, it will help shift attitudes.”

Paula’s message to young women considering a career in construction is simple: “Go for it. It’s a great industry with a lot of opportunities. You might need a thick skin at times, but proving yourself can be incredibly rewarding. The more women who join, the better it gets.”

Championing Passivhaus and sustainability

One of Paula’s proudest projects is the Maybury School in Edinburgh — a large Passivhaus-standard school that could be the highest-value timber frame project in Scotland. “The air tightness test results were exceptional,” she says. “It was a massive job, but incredibly rewarding.”

She is also passionate about expanding Passivhaus principles, provided they remain affordable. With the Scottish Government currently deliberating over proposals to ensure every new home is built to the Passivhaus standard, or at least to a Scottish equivalent, Paula believes training for the end users is essential too.

“We need to educate tenants on how to live in these homes because they work differently from traditional buildings. But the cost savings on heating alone make them a great investment.”