International Archive of
Women in Architecture Virginia Polytechnic Institute
and State University IAWA Newsletter Fall 1993 No. 5 - Table of Contents
- IAWA Spotlight
Recent Acquisitions Cary Donates Exhibit Materials International News ... In the Archive IAWA Spotlight: Wena Dows Wena Dows was born in the California Central Valley on April 1, 1928. She decided to go to the University of California at Berkeley (UCB) because that is where all her family went. However, she decided NOT to study architecture because her older sister had studied architecture. Wena decided to study mathematics instead. After a couple of years she realized that she did not want to be a mathematician, so she started casting about other departments at UCB. She took Architecture 1, and, in Wena's words, "This is work? This is FUN!" She transferred to architecture, doubled-up on her course load, took one extra year to complete her studies, and graduated in 1950 with a bachelor degree in architecture. She married after graduation, just as one was supposed to do back then. She worked four years for an architect and consulting engineer while her husband finished his Ph.D. She bore three children, and then gradually began her practice. From 1957 her children and her practice grew until it was, "Super Full-Time." As an architect, Wena has never lost her feeling of gratification and excitement to see her creations grow into three dimensional reality. She prefers small buildings to large ones because people who live and work in small buildings are grateful for whatever she can do to make their lives better. Wena is sensitive to her clients, and she always listens to them. "I don't have a style. I just try to do what I do well," she says. | |
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