Clayton Young FAIA

Clayton Young FAIA

Clayton Young FAIA (December 1918 - June 2000) earned the respect of his peers and the warm regard of many colleagues and collaborators in the important work that came his way as an architect.  He graduated from the University of Kentucky (BSCE 1941) and the University of Illinois (BFAA Architecture 1949), and held Tau Sigma Delta Architectural Honorary from the University of Washington.

Beginning in 1952, he practiced in Seattle with his then wife and partner Jean Linden Young.  The work included facilities plans for University of Washington, direction of "Lake Union 72" shoreland study, and studies for the Woodland Park Zoo during a turning point in its evolution.  He contributed to the design and expansion of medical facilities for the UW Hospital and Health Sciences Complex, and for both the award-winning Air National Guard complex at Camp Murray in Tacoma and the Armory near Pier 91 in Seattle.  He also taught perspective drawing at the University of Washington Department of Architecture.  In projects with University Congregational United Church of Christ, he worked devotedly on centers for homeless street youth and on housing for underprivileged families.

Perhaps the most significant professional achievements of Clayton Young  include and stem from his work advising 1962 Seattle World's Fair architect Paul Thiry as Director of Planning and Development for the Fair site, now the Seattle Center.  He continued his connection with Seattle Center in many roles over several decades, among them on the board and as President of the Seattle Center Foundation; and consulted with other US and world cities on World's Fair planning.

Clayton Young took an active part in professional activities and the AIA.  He served as President of AIA Seattle in 1968, and as Senior/Honors Council President helped establish the educational and charitable organization now known as the Seattle Architectural Foundation, as a founding Trustee.

The AIA College of Fellows inducted Clayton in 1987, recognizing his unique contributions to the profession and to the development of key facilities significant to the emergence of Seattle as a major world city.

A Kentucky native with a passion for nature, Clayton enjoyed hiking and cross-country skiing into his 80's.  KING-TV selected Clayton and his second wife, Sally, as "Most Romantic Couple in the Pacific Northwest" in 1986.