Rebecca Wood Watkin Explained

Rebecca Wood Watkin
Birth Date:April 4, 1913
Birth Place:Portland, Oregon, U.S.
Death Date:December 19, 2010
Death Place:La Jolla, California, U.S.
Alma Mater:Bryn Mawr College

University of Pennsylvania
Occupation:Architect, housing activist, community leader
Other Names:Rebecca Wood Esherick Watkin, Becky Watkins, Becky Wood
Birth Name:Rebecca Wood
Spouse:Joseph Esherick (m. 1938–1951; divorced),
Harold B. Watkin (m. 1958–?)
Children:3

Rebecca Wood Watkin (née Rebecca Wood; 1913–2010), was an American architect, housing activist, and community leader.[1] She is recognized for her modern architectural designs, and advocacy for environmental and public housing causes. She was active in the San Francisco Bay Area and lived in Marin County for many years.[2] She also used the names Rebecca Esherick, Rebecca Watkin, Rebecca Wood Esherick Watkin, and Becky Watkin.

Early life and education

Rebecca Wood was born on April 4, 1913, Portland, Oregon. She completed her undergraduate studies at Bryn Mawr College in 1933, before receiving her bachelor of architecture degree from the School of Design, University of Pennsylvania in 1937.

She was married to architect Joseph Esherick from 1938 to 1951, ending in divorce.[3] [4] Together they had three children.[5] Her second marriage was to landscape contractor, Harold B. Watkin in 1958.[6]

Career

After graduation, Watkin returned to the West Coast, and initially worked in other architects' offices. She earned her California Architectural license in 1944, opened her own practice in 1951, and became a staunch advocate for modernist design. Despite facing gender-based discrimination, Watkin made significant contributions to architecture.[7]

Notable works

Among Watkin's notable works is the Esherick House in Kent Woodlands, California, designed in 1950 with her then-husband Joseph Esherick serving as a consultant. This project exemplifies her modernist vision and architectural innovation. Her portfolio also includes a variety of projects across Northern California, showcasing her versatility and creativity in architectural design.

Legacy and influence

Watkin's dedication to modern architecture and her contributions to public housing and environmental causes had a lasting impact on the architectural community. She served on the Marin County Planning Commission and was involved in various political and social causes until her retirement in 1990.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2011-02-01 . Ploughshares Fund Honors Rebecca Wood Watkin: 1913-2010 . 2024-03-03 . Ploughshares Fund . en.
  2. Web site: Watkin, Rebecca Wood, 1913-2010 . 2024-03-03 . ArchivesSpace Public Interface.
  3. News: 1958-10-20 . Marriage of Esherick / Watkin . 2024-03-03 . Daily Independent Journal . 11 . Newspapers.com.
  4. Web site: January 23, 2011 . Rebecca Watkin Obituary (2011) . 2024-03-03 . Legacy.com . The Oregonian.
  5. Web site: 2021-03-01 . A Room Of Her Own: Where Early Female Architects Lived . 2024-03-03 . Madame Architect . en-US.
  6. News: 1958-10-20 . Marriage of Esherick / Watkin . 2024-03-03 . Daily Independent Journal . 11 . Newspapers.com.
  7. Web site: 2014-10-21 . Pioneering Women of Mid-Century Design . 2024-03-03 . EichlerNetwork . en.