Kenneth Arthur Gordon

Kenneth Arthur Gordon was born in Chicago on December 2, 1891. He married in 1916 and had five children – among them architect and future partner, his son Robert.

Gordon obtained experience starting in 1914 in various architects' offices prior to working for J. H. Woodworth & Sons in Pasadena in the early 1920s. The young draftsman took courses in architectural engineering; and passed the California State Board exam in 1924. Mr. Gordon built the family home on Foothill Boulevard (later Altadena Drive) on the edge of Eaton Canyon in Altadena in the 1920’s. After selling this house, he built a Spanish colonial styled house for his family right next door at 2564 North Altadena Drive.

Kenneth Gordon hung out his shingle in 1924 before developing the firm into a partnership in 1948. Kenneth served in the Engineers Corps for two years during World War II in the Protective Construction Department in Los Angeles. Following a normal course through the Pasadena school system, he joined Pasadena’s AIA Chapter (in 1945) and later established the office of Kenneth A. Gordon, AIA, Robert F. Gordon, Architects in 1955 with his son.

Kenneth Gordon was very involved in the Pasadena and Foothill AIA chapter, of which he was president in 1963.

Kenneth’s grandson, Greg Gordon, offered, “My assumption that even though both of their names were on a project in the 50’s-60’s, Dad was the primary architect and the one who introduced a modernism to their projects.”

Partial List of Projects

Altadena Community Hospital (1959)
Altadena

Altadena Federal Savings & Loan Association Regional Office (1969)
Santa Ana

Altadena Federal Savings & Loan Association Regional Office (1960)
Ventura

Barlow Respiratory Hospital
2000 Stadium Way, Los Angeles

Bonham, Victor Residence (1960)
1033 Heather Drive, Vista
*Built as "A Soaring Home on Hill in Vista" (San Diego & Point, April 1961) for local (Vista) builder Bonham, his wife and three children. Julius Shulman photographed the project on January 25 and 26, 1960. Pictured on p.280 of Modernism Rediscovered by Pierluigi Serraino & Julius Shulman. The address in 1960 was 1657 Bonnie Brae Place.

Boy Scouts of America San Gabriel Valley Headquarters Building (1956)
Pasadena
*Including Administration Offices and Auditorium

Camera Store (ca. 1961-62)
This project won an Award of Merit by the Pasadena Chapter AIA in 1962

Coberly, Mr. James Jr. Residence ('La Osita Adobe') (1967)
Fallbrook
*In 1966, C. James Coberly Jr., (grandson of William D. Coberly, the
original founder of La Osa Cattle Company) commissioned architects
Kenneth and Robert Gordon to design the property for them. Today, the
property is available for accommodations, events and photo shoots. Learn
more HERE.

Component Houses (ca. 1960-62)
This project won an Award of Merit for Residential Design & Construction by House & Home (1960); a Special Award, AIA, Sunset West, Home Awards in 1961-62; as well as an Honorary Mention by AIA-Homes for Better Living National Awards in 1962

First Friends Church (1961)
Arcadia

Gordon, Kenneth A. Residence #1 (ca. 1920s)
N. Foothill Blvd, Altadena

Gordon, Kenneth A. Residence #2
2564 N. Foothill Blvd, Altadena

Gordon, Robert Residence #1 (1951)
3819 Alzada Road, Altadena

Gordon, Robert Residence #2 (1956)
170 Coburn Avenue, Sierra Madre

Harrison, Mr. Leighton L. Pharmacy Building
Mission Road, Fallbrook

Kennedy, Mrs. and Mrs. Stanley Residence
Live Oak Canyon, Fallbrook

La Viña Hospital
3900 Lincoln, Altadena
*Demolished

La Vina Hospital Intensive Care Unit (1969)
Altadena

Lerned, Dr. and Mrs. Morris Residence
Circle "R" Ranch, Escondido

Loma Vista Professional Building (Medical & Dental Suites) (1960)
Ventura

P. & D. B. Millken Company (Photo Instruments of Precision Mfr.) (1961)
Arcadia

Private Residences
Four Adobe Residences in Pauma Valley Country Club

Republic Federal Savings
Locations Unknown

Spanjian, Mr. & Mrs. Richard Residence
2279 Midwick Drive, Altadena
*Photographs by Douglas Simmonds were extensively published.

Spanjian Sportswear Manufacturing Plant & Offices (1964)
Pasadena

Sprague, Mr. and Mrs. Albert A. Residence (1958)
1969 Vista Grande Drive, Vista
*Julius Shulman photographed the project in 1960.

Supple, Dr. Pelletier Residence (ca. 1964-65)
Oceanside
*Published: in the L.A. Times Home Magazine on July 18, 1965

Thornburg, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Residence
Pauma Valley

University Club of Pasadena (1966)
175 N. Oakland Avenue, Pasadena

Wigand, Bill Residence (1955)
153 Jaxine Drive, Altadena

Wigand, Jim Residence (1953)
155 Jaxine Drive, Altadena