While it is unclear at this time, following graduation from Cal, Fred Norris had some connection to Richard Neutra in Los Angeles. Following military service Norris and Frederick Liebhardt opened a joint office (ca. 1951-1952). Norris left Liebhardt’s employment shortly after they struck a partnership with architect Henry Hester (1957).
Mr. Norris was born on April 11, 1923 to Frederick Earl and Martha Norris in San Diego. Shortly after his birth his father passed away. Following time Fred and his mother spent time living in Wichita, Kansas, by 1940 Fred returned to San Diego to live with his grandparents.
In 1942, Norris was drafted into the Army Air Forces while he was working at Consolidated Aircraft. Following military service he graduated with a degree in architecture from UC Berkeley. Returning to San Diego once again, he and Frederick Liebhardt opened their office (ca. 1951-1952) on Herschel. After hours Fred worked from his home office (at 6336 La Jolla Blvd) on several projects including the Sutherland Residence. Norris remained in the office when Fred Liebhardt and Henry Hester joined in partnership in (as early as 1953) but left the office circa 1957-58).
According to former employee Ray Nelson (ca. 1969-1970), Norris was “…very neat and organized (and some would say a perfectionist) while Liebhardt was a bit disorganized and messy. Their parting may not have been on the best of terms… the office, at the time was on La Jolla Boulevard, near Bird Rock (#5709 as I recall). The office appeared to be a house that Fred or someone had converted to offices. Most of the original house seemed to be intact at the rear and the office section abutted the sidewalk on the east side of La Jolla Blvd. Typical of the era the office was not air conditioned so we enjoyed the cool ocean breezes most of the year. As most architects were, Fred was a good person and as I recall a good designer. Fred was a meticulous architect and his construction documents were very detailed as they needed to be for the precise exacting style of his designs. He related to me that he was a graduate of UC Berkeley and had some connection with/to Richard Neutra… [of Norris’ influences, Ray recalled] a lot of Greene and Greene influence as well as the interpretation of the International style suitable to the San Diego climate.” Architect Paul McKim, among others through the years, worked for Norris as a draftsman.
Norris died on November 9, 2006, at Hale Makua, Wailuku. A graveside service was held at Maui Veterans Cemetery pavilion. He was survived by a son, Neal (Vicky) Norris; a daughter, Nikki Norris; and four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Adobe House (ca. 1970)
Escondido
Budwig, G.G. Residence (ca. 1958)
Mission Bay
Published in LA Times Home Magazine on July 13, 1958
Hamren, David & Diane Residence
Mt. Helix
Hollywood Park Houses (ca. 1960)
1210 Turquoise Street
1218 Turquoise Street
1230 Turquoise Street
1234 Turquoise Street
1242 Turquoise Street
1248 Turquoise Street
1254 Turquoise Street
5210 Cardeno Drive
*“One of the owners called the dozen-house cluster "Hollywood Park" or something like that,” recalled Eugene Weston.
Norris, Fred & Barbara Residence (1952-53)
6336 La Jolla Boulevard
*By Liebhardt & Norris
Palomar Health Medical Offices (1960)
660 East Grand Avenue
Palomar Health Medical Offices (1961)
644-646 East Grand Avenue
Private Residence
Published in Sunset Magazine
Private Residence(s) (ca. 1970)
Escondido
Private Residence (1972)
1223 Agate Street
Remodel of a Liebhardt-designed home (ca. 1970)
La Jolla
Sutherland, Mr. & Mrs. W.M. Residence (1956)
1647 Los Altos Drive, Pacific Beach
Thurston, Dr. & Mrs. Residence (1961)
Escondidi
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