Edna Deakin facts for kids

Edna Deakin (born 1871, died 1946) was a talented designer and one of the first women to become an architect in the United States. She is most famous for her work on the "Temple of the Wings" building in Berkeley, California.

Early Life and Education

Edna Deakin was born in the San Francisco area of California. Her father, Edwin Deakin, was a well-known painter. Her uncle, Frederick H. Daken, was also an architect.

Edna first went to the University of California, Berkeley to study mechanics. However, she soon left the university. She decided to study architecture instead. She learned from her cousin, Clarence Dakin, and also took classes from a famous architect named John Galen Howard.

Becoming an Architect

After her studies, Edna Deakin started her career. She worked in the offices of other architects, like Dickey and Reed, and George T. Plowman. She called herself a "designer" and often worked with her cousin, Clarence. They might have helped design the Studio Building in Berkeley.

The Temple of the Wings

One of Edna Deakin's most important projects was helping to rebuild the "Temple of the Wings." This unique building in Berkeley was first designed in 1911. It was very unusual because it didn't have any walls!

In 1923, the "Temple of the Wings" was badly damaged by a fire. Luckily, its strong Corinthian columns were still standing. Edna and her cousin Clarence used these original columns in their new design. They created a plan to add walls and living spaces to the building. They also included dance studios on the ground floor, with an open courtyard in the middle.

Edna Deakin also designed buildings for her own family. These were located at Telegraph and Woolsey in Berkeley.