Jean Roth Driskel

Born in Leavenworth, Washington in 1915, Jean Roth attended the University of Washington between 1933-38 until she secured a scholarship to attend Art Center School in Los Angeles. What may have been a sign of the times, once the Art Center School staff learned Jean was married, they revoked her scholarship (expecting that with a working husband, she could afford tuition). The young couple established themselves as Angelenos during and following her time at Art Center School (1938-39). Following her studies, and absent a degree, Jean worked diligently drafting and designing for architects to gain the experience to pass her licensing exam. She received her California license on October 15, 1948. Among her early jobs was drafting and designing for A. R. Walker, Architect (1942-46) and for A. Quincy Jones (1946-47) prior to establishing her own firm in 1953.

The small family lived in an apartment in Hollywood while she designed the family home in Pasadena – where they would move to- and stay for the next two decades. Progressively she garnered experience and larger commissions. The young architect became regarded mostly for her use of wood and glass in residential commissions. Among her fans and champions was Julius Shulman who photographed several of her projects.

Driskel joined the Pasadena Chapter of the AIA in 1956 and, was reportedly, the third woman to be elected to the American Institute of Architects' College of Fellows – earning the ‘FAIA’ following her surname. According to the LA Times, “Driskel was president of the Pasadena chapter of the American Institute of Architects, became a fellow at the institute and was a charter member of South Pasadena Beautiful.”

Beyond chairing chairing committees, she became the local AIA chapter president in 1968. Driskel also served as the first woman to be elected as an officer (secretary) of the California Council of the AIA; President of the Association of Women in Architecture; US delegate to the International Union of Women Architects; chair of the South Pasadena Mayor’s Committee on Cultural Heritage; secretary of the South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce; and the third woman to be elected to the AIA College of Fellows.

Following the dissolution of her partnership with Bob Tryon and George Foy (Driskel, Tryon and Foy), she opened her last office at 1017 Fremont Avenue, Suite C, in South Pasadena. She was reportedly reviewing drawings with her last client on her deathbed in 1971.

Partial List of Projects

Driskel, Jean Roth Residence (1952)
1327 Mountain View Avenue, South Pasadena

Driskel, Jean Roth Family Beach House (1949)
Capistrano Beach

Driskel Ski Cabin
Idyllwild

Industrial Building for Able Manufacturing (1947)
South Gate

Jackson Edwards Company Office Building (1958)
North Hollywood

Jacobs, Dr. & Mrs. J.J. Residence (1970)
16135 Pauma Valley Drive, Pauma Valley Country Club

Melbye House (ca. 1968)
Monterey Hills, Pasadena
*Attributed to Tryon & Melbye

Nic-L-Silver Battery Company Office and Warehouse (1959)
Los Angeles

Nordon-Ketay Corporation Manufacturing Building and Office (1956)
Gardena

Private Residence (1970)
324 Bowstring Drive, Sedona
*Published in Architectural Digest in 1972