Lovett, Wendell Harper

Wendell Harper Lovett (April 2, 1922 - September 18, 2016) was an American architect and university professor. Born in Seattle, Washington, Lovett's father was a roofing contractor, which meant that Lovett was exposed to construction from an early age. Lovett graduated from Queen Anne High School before entering the University of Washington in 1940. He majored in architecture. During World War II, Lovett served in the 13th Armored Division. After the war, Lovett returned to the University of Washington and graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1947. He immediately entered graduate school at MIT, where he earned a Master's of Architecture degree in 1948. After MIT he returned to Seattle, where he began working for the architecture firm Bassetti and Morse, where he worked for three years, rising to the position of Associate, before starting his own architecture firm in 1951. Lovett joined the faculty of the University of Washington's Department of Architecture in the fall of 1948 as an instructor, and was promoted to Assistant Professor in 1951. In 1960 he was promoted to Associate Professor and, in 1965, was appointed as a Professor in 1965. He retired as an emeritus in 1984. Lovett's architectural style was international in perspective, and synthesized influences from Germany, Scandinavia, and Italy, as well as the United States. He designed several iconic houses and also designed furniture, including the Bikini Chair. Lovett married Eileen Whitson (a talented ballerina) on September 3, 1947, with whom he had 2 daughters.