Posted on July 1, 2024
Post categories: Alumni & Industry Architecture
It is with great sadness that we mourn the loss of one of Seattle’s most trailblazing architects, L. Jane Hastings, FAIA (1928-2024). In The Woman in the Room: A Memoir, published in November 2023, the University of Washington graduate and renowned Seattle architect shared her extraordinary life story, offering a glimpse into the experiences that shaped her remarkable career and indomitable spirit. Hastings, a pioneer in the field of architecture, leaves behind a lasting legacy of leadership, dedication, and inspiration for future generations of architects.
Lois Jane Hastings was born in Seattle on March 3, 1928. She grew up in West Seattle, and at age 9, announced her intention to become an architect; her parents encouraged her. Many others tried to dissuade her, but she persevered. She began studying architecture at UW in 1946 while working part-time as a drafter at Boeing to pay her way. She graduated with honors in 1952, receiving the Alpha Rho Chi medal for “leadership and service.” She passed the architectural registration exam in 1953, becoming only the eighth woman registered as an architect in Washington State.