Cornelia Brierly facts for kids

Cornelia Brierly (1913–2012) was an amazing American architect. She was one of the very first women to study architecture at Carnegie Tech. She also made history as the first female fellow to work with the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1934.

Discovering Architecture

Cornelia Brierly was born on April 12, 1913, in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania. She had a strong interest in design from a young age. She briefly attended Cornell University and the University of Pittsburgh.

After that, she enrolled at Carnegie Tech. This was a big step because she was one of the first five women to study architecture there. It was a time when not many women pursued this field.

Working with Frank Lloyd Wright

In 1934, Cornelia joined the Taliesin Fellowship. This was a special program led by the legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright. She spent 10 years learning and working alongside him.

One of her important jobs was helping with Wright’s big plan called Broadacre City. This was a vision for a new kind of American city. Cornelia built detailed models of the city. She also traveled to places like Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. to share these ideas with others.

A Career in Design

After working with Frank Lloyd Wright, Cornelia Brierly started her own architecture business. She worked with her husband, Peter Berndtson. They designed many buildings together.

In 1956, she returned to the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. Here, she used her talents in many ways. She worked as an architectural designer, creating building plans. She also worked as an interior decorator, making spaces beautiful inside. Plus, she was a landscape architect, designing outdoor areas.

Cornelia became an Honorary Chairman and Trustee of the Foundation. This shows how much her work and ideas were valued. She continued to inspire others throughout her long career.

Cornelia Brierly passed away on August 24, 2012, at the age of 99. She left behind a legacy of beautiful designs and a path for future female architects.

Key Projects

Cornelia Brierly contributed to several important architectural projects:

• Models for Broadacre City: These models helped people understand Frank Lloyd Wright's vision for future cities.
• Taliesin West: She was a contributor to this famous winter home and school for Frank Lloyd Wright in Scottsdale, Arizona.
• Pearl Palace: Around 1972, she helped with the interior design and furniture for this unique building in Iran. She worked on this project with John deKoven Hill.

Cornelia Brierly also designed many homes with her husband, Peter Berndtson. These houses are found in different parts of Pennsylvania.