Gordon Drake (1917-1952)

Gordon Drake was born March 19, 1917 in Childress, Texas. After graduating from high school, Drake got his first experience with design and construction helping his brother build a home in Hawaii. In 1937, Drake enrolled in the architecture program at the University of Southern California graduating in 1941. While at USC Drake was influenced by Harwell Hamilton Harris and Carl Birger Troedsson, first as a student and later as a draftsman.

While serving as a Marine combat leader in the South Pacific, he received his first professional architectural commission, completion of the Haleakala Theatre. Following his release from the Marine Corps he joined Louis Soltanofff, and several other friends in California and within four months, the group had constructed a basic house for veterans. For their efforts they won the Progressive Architecture First Annual Award. As an active practitioner, Drake’s designs reflected his interest in climate, materials, siting and structure

In 1948 Drake relocated from Los Angeles to Northern California and in 1951. He began to work for Architect Ernest J. Kump while keeping a small office for evening and weekend work. Drake died at the age of 34 in a skiing accident in 1952.

The collection contains biographical material, correspondence, and publicity files, as well as notes, specifications, sketches, and drawings for both client driven projects and designs for houses, furniture, screens and arbors. Projects include primarily residences in southern California, Drake’s various offices, and projects commissioned for publications such as Sunset Magazine, and Better Homes and Gardens, and Women’s Home Journal.