Shirley Kerr Kennard, AIA(b. 1929)“Draw. Learn how to draw (by hand), regardless. (Learn) to sketch your ideas quickly...And go on jobs as much as you can.”
from Interview, November 23, 2014 Shirley Kerr Kennard began her career in Washington DC with architect Horace Peaslee in 1950. After seeing her thesis renderings at Cornell, he invited her to work on a competition for the remodeling of a mansion on Massachusetts Avenue into the Cosmos Club. His firm won the competition and it proved prescient for her career. In an office of only 3 people, she had the opportunity to visit job sites and see construction first hand.
When work slowed down, Shirley joined Faulkner, Kingsbury & Stenhouse Architects, a firm specializing in hospital design. There she met architect H. Hunter Kennard. They married in April 1954. In August, The Washington Post described their residence—a gut remodel of a 14’ wide rowhouse on I Street—as an “architect’s holiday” in reference to how architects choose to spend their free time. With a growing family, Shirley and Hunter moved to Montgomery County. They opened their own firm in 1958 so they could practice architecture and maintain a family life. Work was steady and it brought a rhythm to their lives. In 1959, the National Capital Planning Commission selected Kennard & Kennard Architects to complete the master plan for Columbia Plaza, an urban renewal project in NW Washington DC. They had 6 weeks to develop the conceptual design for an apartment community of 800 residents. Much of their vision can be seen in the project’s final development, which brought them exposure and additional commissions. In 1967, they began a complete redesign of their 1920’s bungalow to incorporate an office and living space suitable for a family of four. It won them the 1969 Wood Structure Design Award from the National Forest Products Association for “exemplifying the virtues of lumber and demonstrating the workability of wood.” Shirley and Hunter were a true team throughout their career, collaborating on over 500 projects in Washington DC and Maryland, two thirds of which were custom designed homes. When they didn’t agree on a design, they would start over. Shirley reflects positively on her life choices, knowing she and Hunter have shared a full life together and have made a difference in people’s lives. Timeline1929 - Born Shirley Jenn Kerr in Tulsa, Oklahoma on January 9 to Arthur John
Kerr & Lottie Lucille Kerr 1939 - c. Family builds a second floor on their bungalow 1945-50 - Attends Cornell University; Starts in Liberal Arts College - Switches to Architecture in 2nd year through her determination - Spends summers making up design studios & working for an architecture firm in Pittsburgh where she moved with her family - Graduates with honors & Bachelor of Architecture - Member of AIA, Association of Women in Architecture (image of her 3rd Year Design for an Island Casino, 1948) 1950-53 - Works as draftsman in office of Horace W. Peaslee's in Washington, DC - Project: Cosmos Club Remodeling & Addition, Washington DC 1953-55 - Designer at Faulkner, Kingsbury & Stenhouse Architects, Washington, DC 1954 - Receives license to practice architecture, Washington DC - Marries Henry Hunter Kennard - The Washington Post features their Foggy Bottom home renovation in “For and About Women” Section, August 29 1955 - Son, Peter is born 1956 - "An Artist Views Foggy Bottom" Rendering in The Washington Post, May 16 1957 - Becomes member of AIA Washington Metropolitan Chapter 1958 - Daughter Lisa is born - Moves to Chevy Chase - Opens firm of Kennard & Kennard Architects 1959 - Project: Columbia Plaza Concept Design, Washington, DC 1961 - Projects: Philip & Katherine Graham Residence Remodel and Addition, Georgetown; Mr. & Mrs. George S. Wheat Jr. Residence, Bethesda 1962 - Project: Mr. & Mrs. Howard K. Smith High Acres Estate Remodeling and Addition, Bethesda (Projects on estate continued through 1990) 1964-65 - Projects: McNesby Residence, Rockville; Woman's Club of Chevy Chase Addition, Chevy Chase 1966 - Projects: Radio Operators’ Fight Crew School Remodeling, Patuxent Naval Air Station; Sister of Mercy Generalate Remodeling, Bethesda 1967 - Projects: Cant Residence, Upper Marlboro; Kennard Residence & Home Office on Thornapple Street, Chevy Chase (completed 1969) 1969 - Kennard Residence wins a Wood Structure Design Award from the National Forest Products Association (Hunter & Shirley accepting award) 1971 - Husband becomes President of AIA Washington Metropolitan Chapter - Project: Virgin Residence, Chevy Chase Village 1973-75 - Member of AIA Housing Committee, Washington Metropolitan Chapter 1975 - Projects: Campbell Residence, Chevy Chase Village; Hanson Residence, Washington, DC, featured in Home section of The Washington Post 1976 - c. Project: Daniel Residence Addition (Photo of Daniel Kitchen Addition) 1987 - Project: Sterrett Residence Remodel & Major Addition, Chevy Chase Village 1989 - Projects: St. John’s Episcopal Church Alterations & Memorial Garden, Chevy Chase (Image by Jeffrey Wilkes Photography); Elizabeth Condominium, Chevy Chase (Entrance Canopy and interior remodeling over a number of years) 1990 - Project: O’Neill Residence Renovation and Addition, Chevy Chase Village 1997 - Moves to Annapolis - Transfers to Potomac Valley Chapter AIA - Renovates waterside home residence in Whitehall Beach to be part of sailing community (Photo from 2014) 2003 - Retires from architecture practice; does small jobs for fun & friends (Examples of her pottery since retiring) 2015 - Moves to retirement community in Mitchellville with Hunter |
Portrait circa 1968 (Brooks Photographers)
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