Rolaine Copeland Hon. AIA

Rolaine Vines Copeland (1938-2015) (BA Social Work UW 1960) became a leading force in bringing architecture to children in elementary and secondary schools in Philadelphia, Seattle, throughout the US, and abroad.   

As director of education for Philadelphia's Foundation for Architecture 1983-1993, Rolaine developed the international Architecture in Education program, engaging educators, volunteer design professionals, and university students as teaching resources, and thus effectively helping children learn basic architecture in a manner making it personal and immediate to their lives.  She continued to direct and expand the program while based in Seattle 1993-97.  Through her efforts, thousands of students benefited.  Under her direction, the program’s 1986 publication Architecture in Education: A Resource of ImaginativeIdeas and Tested Activities became a valuable teaching tool across the US and in more than 25 nations.

Along with her husband Lee Copeland FAIA and their daughter Lené Copeland, Rolaine involved youth in design discovery in many ways.

Acknowledging her contributions to the profession, her colleagues recognized her as an AIA Seattle Honorary Member, and in 1994 as an AIA Honorary Member.