Elizabeth Ayer
Encyclopedia
Elizabeth Ayer is recognized as a pioneering woman architect
in Seattle, Washington
, whose professional activities stretched over more than five decades. She was the first woman to graduate from the professional architecture program at the University of Washington and was the first woman to be registered as an architect in Washington State.
Ayer was born in Thurston County, Washington, in October 1897. She enrolled at the University of Washington in 1916, graduating in 1921 with her B.Arch. degree. In 1919, while still a student, she was hired by Andrew Willatsen
. The next year she began her long association with Seattle architect, Edwin Ivey. From 1922 to 23 she worked in New York City, but after a year returned to Seattle, again working with Ivey.
By the late 1920s, Ayer was identified as Ivey's "Associate." During the 1920s and 1930s, Ayer played key roles in design and supervision of the Ivey's residential commissions. About 1930, Ayer became registered as an architect in Washington State.
In 1940, Ivey was killed in an automobile accident. Ayer took over the firm and with another employee, Roland Lamping, continued the practice. In 1942, they suspended the practice—for the duration of World War II
Ayer worked as an Architect in the U.S. Engineers Office. She restarted the practice after 1945. Some time during the 1950s, the firm name was changed to Ayer & Lamping.
Ayer retired in 1970, after a 50-year professional career. She moved to Lacey, Washington
, where she served on the Planning Commission through 1980. She died in Lacey in 1987.
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
in Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
, whose professional activities stretched over more than five decades. She was the first woman to graduate from the professional architecture program at the University of Washington and was the first woman to be registered as an architect in Washington State.
Ayer was born in Thurston County, Washington, in October 1897. She enrolled at the University of Washington in 1916, graduating in 1921 with her B.Arch. degree. In 1919, while still a student, she was hired by Andrew Willatsen
Andrew Willatsen
Andrew Willatsen was an architect chiefly remembered for bringing the influence of Frank Lloyd Wright and the Prairie School to the Pacific Northwest.-Early life and emigration:...
. The next year she began her long association with Seattle architect, Edwin Ivey. From 1922 to 23 she worked in New York City, but after a year returned to Seattle, again working with Ivey.
By the late 1920s, Ayer was identified as Ivey's "Associate." During the 1920s and 1930s, Ayer played key roles in design and supervision of the Ivey's residential commissions. About 1930, Ayer became registered as an architect in Washington State.
In 1940, Ivey was killed in an automobile accident. Ayer took over the firm and with another employee, Roland Lamping, continued the practice. In 1942, they suspended the practice—for the duration of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
Ayer worked as an Architect in the U.S. Engineers Office. She restarted the practice after 1945. Some time during the 1950s, the firm name was changed to Ayer & Lamping.
Ayer retired in 1970, after a 50-year professional career. She moved to Lacey, Washington
Lacey, Washington
Lacey is a city in Thurston County, Washington, United States. Established as a suburb of Olympia, its population was 42,393 at the 2010 census out of a county population of 252,264.-History:...
, where she served on the Planning Commission through 1980. She died in Lacey in 1987.