After obtaining his degree in architecture from the University of Illinois, John joined the US Navy Civil Engineer Corps in 1956 - arriving in San Diego the next year to work at Miramar Naval Air Station. Following his government service, he designed as John D. Henderson, AIA (ca. 1964-68), Delawie, Macy & Henderson, AIA (ca. 1968-76) and Macy, Henderson & Cole, AIA (between 1977-85).
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1933, John Henderson spent the bulk of his youth growing up in Springfield, Illinois. Alongside his older brother James (who also became an architect), they both enjoyed playing with blocks and erector sets as well as pens, pencils and paper from their father’s architecture practice. He attended Butler Elementary, Springfield High School and U of I in Champaign-Urbana.
John followed the same path as his mother, father and brother through the University of Illinois. He met Barbara in high school and she later joined him at the University as well.
After obtaining his B.Arch degree from the University of Illinois in 1956, Henderson attended Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island and then served the US Navy Civil Engineer Corps in 1956. His tour included the Public Works Center, Guam, Marianas Islands before arriving in San Diego (in 1957) to work for the ROICC at NAS Miramar Naval Air Station. The task at hand was to turn NAS Miramar into a Master Jet Station. “We built everything in the two years that I was out there -- extended runways, built hangers, BEQ's, BOQs, Neutra's Chapel, and a mess of other stuff while getting to know many of the local architects and contractors,” John later recalled. While in the U.S. Navy Reserves (between 1959-64) John served in the Mobile Construction Battalion MCB-17 also at NAS Miramar (now MCAS Miramar).
Long before John was recognized as an AIA Fellow (FAIA) with the American Institute of Architects, in 1980, he worked as a solo practitioner as well as an architect in partnership with others including Homer Delawie, Alfonso Macy and Melvin Cole among others. He opened up his own firm - John D. Henderson, AIA (1964) before he worked for Homer Delawie (1964-68) and then partnered Delawie, and Alfonso Macy as Delawie, Macy & Henderson, AIA (ca. 1968-76). John and Alfonso left Delawie's Old Town office to form Macy, Henderson & Cole, AIA (1977-85). The latter years of a fantastic career would see him return to John D. Henderson, FAIA (1986 – 2010).
AVCO Office Building (1971)
2223 Avenida de la Playa, La Jolla
*Delawie, Macy & Henderson AIA – Architects of Record
Barracks Complex- Phase I & II (1968 &1969)
North Island Naval Air Station
*Delawie, Macy & Henderson AIA – Architects of Record
Church of the Resurrection (1973)
1445 Conway Drive, Escondido
*Delawie, Macy & Henderson, AIA - Architects of Record; Al Macy, AIA & John D. Henderson, AIA – Designers
Cornell Residence (1965)
Bonita Verde Drive, Chula Vista
*John D. Henderson, AIA – Architect of Record
Edwards Residence (1974)
5402 Soledad Road, La Jolla
*Delawie, Macy & Henderson AIA – Architects of Record
Henderson Residence (1968)
4879 Academy Street
John D. Henderson, AIA – Architect of Record
Holy Angels Byzantine Catholic Church (1979)
2235 Galahad Road, Serra Mesa
*Macy, Henderson & Cole, AIA - Architects of Record; Al Macy, AIA – Designer
Marshall Apartments (1967)
4226 Cleveland Avenue, University Heights
*Delawie & Macy AIA – Architects of Record
Miramar Ranch Elementary School (1976)
10770 Red Cedar Drive, Scripps Ranch
*Delawie Macy & Henderson, AIA - Architects of Record; Al Macy, AIA - Designer
Nelson Residence (1973)
5285 Alta Vista Street, La Jolla
*Delawie, Macy & Henderson AIA – Architects of Record
Plaza de Balboa & Fountain, (1972)
East End of El Prado, Balboa Park
*Delawie, Macy & Henderson AIA – Architects of Record
Point La Playa Condominiums (1975)
Lawrence Street, Point Loma
*Macy, Henderson & Cole, AIA - Architects of Record; Al Macy, AIA – Designer
Presidio Park Dedication Monument (1966)
NE Corner of Taylor Street & Presidio Drive, Old Town
*Delawie & Macy AIA – Architects of Record
Rancho Bernardo Community Church (1978)
17010 Pomerado Road, Rancho Bernardo
*Macy Henderson & Cole, AIA - Architects of Record
Rancho Bernardo Post Office (1975)
Bernardo Center Drive, Rancho Bernardo
*Delawie, Macy & Henderson AIA – Architects of Record
San Diego City College Remodel & Additions (1976)
1313 12th Avenue, San Diego
*Delawie Macy & Henderson, AIA - Architects of Record; Al Macy, AIA - Designer
San Diego State University Parking Structure (1975)
College Avenue, San Diego State University
*Delawie, Macy & Henderson AIA & Paderewski Dean & Associates - Architects of Record
State Compensation Insurance Fund (1970)
10105 Pacific Heights Boulevard, Sorrento Valley
*Delawie Macy & Henderson, AIA - Architects of Record; Al Macy, AIA - Designer
St. Catherine Laboure (1966)
4038 Mount Abraham Avenue, Clairemont
Tifereth Israel Synagogue (1979)
6660 Cowles Mountain Boulevard, San Carlos
*Macy, Henderson & Cole, AIA - Architects of Record; Al Macy, AIA – Designer
University Hospital Parking Structure (1974)
University Hospital, Mission Hills
*Delawie, Macy & Henderson AIA – Architects of Record
US International University - Music & Fine Arts Complex (1968)
10455 Pomerado Road, Scripps Ranch
*Delawie, Macy & Henderson AIA – Architects of Record
Whelan Residence (1974)
7530 Mar Avenue, La Jolla
*Delawie, Macy & Henderson AIA – Architects of Record
Zoo Bus Depot (1970)
San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park
*Delawie, Macy & Henderson AIA – Architects of Record
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