Born in El Centro, architect Guy Anderson worked for Tucker, Sadler & Bennett before launching a series of local firms. His personal residence in Spring Valley stands as a fantastic example of his approach to contemporary residential design.
Architect Guy Anderson was born in El Centro, California on May 16, 1928. Awarded as valedictorian from Central Union High School in El Centro, Guy went on to secure his Bachelor’s of Architecture from Cal in 1953, the same year he was honored by Chi Alpha Kappa with their Annual Award for Upper Division Achievement in Architecture. The first in his family to earn a degree, Anderson's academic success was a point of pride for his entire family. His lifelong passion for photography started as early as high school and never left him.
Following work as a Job Captain for Tucker, Sadler & Bennett, a young Guy Anderson worked in William Rosser’s office. Following a stint as Senior Architectural Draftsman for the San Diego City Schools, with Fred Johnson he launched Johnson-Anderson (1959-62). Their offices were located at 2442 Fourth Avenue. Johnson-Anderson secured an Honor Award of Excellence from the San Diego Chapter of the AIA in 1960 for the Western Lumber Office Building in National City.
Four years after joining the local chapter of the AIA, in 1958 (he held his membership through 1971), Mr. Anderson formed Guy Anderson, Architect AIA (in 1962). According to his family, "He opened his studio at 3705 South Cordoba Avenue in Spring Valley to design custom homes. He saw that the area was going to grow and thought there would be a need for his services. Then the growth happened mainly through cookie cutter tract homes, much to his chagrin. I still think of a term he used to use - "one of those stucco jobs" - as a somewhat derogatory statement for an unimaginative building."
Mr. Anderson worked for Leonard Veitzer at his office in Lloyd Ruocco's The Design Center on Veitzer's Lincoff Residence. In the later years of his career, he worked in Arthur Decker's office While the two families were close, it is not clear if Mr. Anderson professionally collaborated with Robert Des Lauriers' office on any projects. Guy Anderson died on September 8, 1981.
Partial List of Projects
Anderson, Guy Residence (1961)
10358 Ramona Drive, Spring Valley
*Designed by Anderson
Anderson, Robert Residence
402 Santa Rosa Ave, El Centro
*Designed by Anderson
Casa Hardware & Lumber Co. (1968)
3706 S. Barcelona, Spring Valley
*Anderson served as Associate Architect with Dick Lareau & Associates
De Falco's Bakery (1961)
San Diego
*Designed by Johnson Anderson
El Cajon City Hall and Council Chambers
200 Civic Center Way
*Designed with Arthur Decker
Florence Elementary School (1962)
3914 First Avenue, San Diego
*Designed by Johnson Anderson
Lincoff Residence
152 Old Ranch Road, Chula Vista
* Designed with Leonard Veitzer - drawings, specifications and construction supervision
Paradise Hills Fire Station (1960)
484 Briarwood Road, San Diego
*Designed by Johnson Anderson
Parkway Pet Hospital (1960)
8200 Parkway Drive, La Mesa
*Designed by Johnson Anderson
Schneider Apartments (1958)
Del Mar
*Designed by Anderson
Sequoia Towers Apartments (1964)
361 Vance Street, Chula Vista
*Designed by Anderson
Seymour's Department Store (1959)
El Cajon
*Designed by Johnson Anderson
Sundvold, Mr. Glenn Residence (1963)
2368 Lawton Drive, Lemon Grove
*Designed by Anderson
Weinberger Elementary School (1963)
6269 Twin Lake Drive, San Diego
*Designed by Anderson
Western Lumber Office Building (1960)
2745 Tidelands Avenue, National City
*Designed by Johnson Anderson
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