According to the Los Angeles Times, “John Field Kelsey was born Dec. 7, 1925, in Los Angeles, the youngest of three boys. After his father died just before the Depression, Kelsey lived in San Francisco and Los Angeles with his mother. Near the end of World War II, he was an Army Air Corps cadet before attending USC's School of Architecture.”
In 1958, Thornton Ladd entered into a partnership with architect, and USC classmate, John Kelsey. For many years Ladd & Kelsey was based in Pasadena. The firm is well-known for the design of the Pasadena Art Museum (which became the Norton Simon Museum circa 1974) as well as private residences throughout Los Angeles County. His partnership with Thornton Ladd endured until 1982, when Kelsey moved to Santa Barbara and concentrated on designing contemporary homes.”
In 1958, Thornton Ladd entered into a partnership with architect, and USC classmate, John Kelsey. For many years Ladd & Kelsey was based in Pasadena. The firm is well-known for the design of the Pasadena Art Museum (which became the Norton Simon Museum circa 1974) as well as private residences throughout Los Angeles County. His partnership with Thornton Ladd endured until 1982, when Kelsey moved to Santa Barbara and concentrated on designing contemporary homes.”
Partial List of Projects
Annandale Country Club (1978)
Pasadena
Bear, Donald House (1955)
Santa Barbara
Bridge House (1979)
819 Las Palmas Road, Pasadena
Busch Gardens (1966)
Van Nuys
CalArts
4700 McBean Parkway, Valencia
First Methodist Church (circa 1966)
La Verne
Herrick Memorial Chapel
Occidental College
Hilltop House (Home for Ladd's mother) (1949)
Pasadena
Kelsey, John Residence (1962)
1160 Chateau Road, Pasadena
Ladd, Thornton Studio & Residence (1951)
Pasadena
Lyon, W. Parker Residence (1948)
May Co. Department Stores
Mineral King Ski Resort (circa 1978)
Unbuilt design for a resort near Sequoia National Park
Pasadena Art Museum (later the Norton Simon Museum) (1969)
Pasadena
Prospect Center (1965)
1020 Prospect, La Jolla
Ladd & Kelsey Architects
Published in San Diego & Point - March 1966
Private Residence
13980 Midvale Drive, Whittier
Private Residence (1956)
1211 Laurel Way, Beverly Hills
Private Residence (1957)
Santa Barbara
Research Institute on Communist Strategy and Propaganda (1963)
USC Campus
Residence Towers
Claremont McKenna College
Student Activities Complex
USC campus
Stuft Shirt Restaurant (1961)
2241 West CoRast Highway, Newport Beach
Ladd & Kelsey Architects
Tompkins, Elise Residence (1962)
40941 Thunderbird Road, Rancho Mirage
Ladd & Kelsey Architects
Wolff Residence (1958)
2400 Carman Crest Drive, Hollywood Hills
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