First of all I have to comment on what a beautifully produced book this is – a real joy to have and to hold. High quality paper, high quality colour illustrations and original photos and a pleasing font all add up to a bibliophile’s delight. Even someone not particularly interested in the subject would enjoy looking through it. But of course the subject matter is indeed very interesting and I was delighted to learn about this relatively obscure woman architect, one who left no personal archive, no letters or diaries and about whom there is virtually no documentation. Author Diane Y Welch has done a sterling job of bringing her back to life in this painstakingly and thoroughly researched biography. This 2015 book is a companion work to Welch’s earlier Lilian J Rice, Architect of Rancho Santa Fe, California (Schiffer, 2010) which was the first ever to be written about Rice and deservedly brought her back into the public eye. Lilian Jennette Rice was born in National City, San Diego County, California in 1888. In 1910 she became one of the first women to be awarded a degree in architecture from the University of California Berkeley. For a few years she worked as a draftswoman for the architect Hazel Waterman whilst also teaching mechanical drawing and descriptive geometry to high school and college students. In 1920 she joined the firm of Requa & Jackson, becoming the project manager and lead planner for a new exclusive community, Rancho Santa Fe, a community that still thrives. She opened her own architectural firm in 1928. She designed a number of buildings in her signature Spanish Colonial Revival Style, including at least 60 homes, and although many of these have now been remodelled her legacy is still felt. Eleven of her homes are now on the National Register of Historic Places.
Lilian Rice was a career woman when being such was not so common, remained an independent woman, never marrying, and was a pioneer in her field. In 2018 she was included in Pioneering Women of American Architecture, a website featuring 50 women who made important contributions to architecture. I very much enjoyed this entertaining and clearly and accessibly written book. Welch has expanded her biography to recount her own personal journey of discovery which for me added another layer of interest. She also includes much historical, political and sociological background, giving a real flavour of the era, and placing Rice in her time and place.
The book has received little attention, and at the time of writing this review (October 2019) there is only 1 review on Amazon.com and not even one on Goodreads. What a shame, as it deserves a far wider readership.