Background
Terry, Roland was born on June 2, 1917 in Seattle, Washington, United States. Son of Clyde Cosper and Florence Ester (Beach) Terry.
Terry, Roland was born on June 2, 1917 in Seattle, Washington, United States. Son of Clyde Cosper and Florence Ester (Beach) Terry.
He entered the University of Washington program in architecture in 1935. Although he effectively completed the five-year program to earn his Bachelor of Architecture by 1940, the degree was not awarded for some years because he was short a few credits.
He was a prime contributor to the regional approach to Modern architecture created in the Northwest in the post-World World War II era. During his years at Washington he benefited from the mentorship of faculty member Lionel Pries. From 1942 to 1946, Terry served in the military.
The firm designed custom houses, restaurants and other small buildings, usually in wood and other natural materials, and began to emerge as leaders in Northwest regional Modern architecture.
Terry left the partnership in 1949 to study painting in Paris. The firm continued as Tucker & Shields.
In 1950, Terry and Pete Wimberley were hired to design the exteriors and interiors for the Seattle restaurant, Canlis. The building is considered a Seattle landmark.
In 1952, Terry joined Philip A. Moore to form Terry & Moore, a new firm based in Seattle.
Terry & Moore executed a large number of houses, often including significant landscape design and interior design, usually in collaboration with emerging designers in those professions. Following on in 1960, Terry opened his own practice as Roland Terry & Associates and continued to design notable houses and other structures, as well as restaurants and other interiors in Seattle, San Francisco and Honolulu. In his later years, Terry lived quietly at his property near Mount Vernon, Washington.
He died on June 8, 2006.
Member advisory commission Seattle Center, 1963-1975. Staff sergeant United States Army Air Force, 1942-1946. Member American Institute of Architects (Edward Langley Travel scholar South America 1941-1942), Tau Sigma Delta.