‘Her lasting legacy is opening doors for women all over the UK’
It is with great sadness that Open City has learned of the passing of Jane Priestman, the acclaimed designer who was the first chair of the charity. Here, Victoria Thornton, who establishing the first ever Open House Festival in 1992, remembers Jane and her enormous contribution to the organisation and our community.
Jane Priestman, 1930 – 2021
My first encounter of the impact Jane had on British architecture was at the opening of Stansted Airport (which I attended hobbling along on crutches having fallen off a toboggan on Hampstead Heath), where she was publicly congratulated for her contribution to its success .
Jane’s career as a design champion spanned over a period of architecture innovation, first as general manager in architecture and design for BAA and director of architecture, design and environment for British Rail.
But perhaps one of her lasting legacies is credit due with opening doors for women all over the UK. Her accomplishments in design, and the authority that she was able to exercise, encouraged many women to see and follow through their own potential.
It was obvious to me that she would be exactly the right chair for the fledgling charity, Open House, joining together with Eva Jiřičná and Marina Vaizey. Her support, encouragement and tenacity was greatly appreciated not just by myself, but all the volunteers and the growing staff over the 15 years she held this position.
We will all miss Jane, but know that she was a pioneer for future generations and without her continual encouragement in those early years, Open City would not be where it is today.