John Randal McDonald
Encyclopedia
John Randal McDonald was a prominent architect who worked in the 1950s and 1960s. McDonald was born in Milwaukee in 1922 and served in World War II as an officer in the U.S. Navy before pursuing a degree in architecture. After a brief stint in the fine arts program at the State Teacher’s College, McDonald decided to pursue his interest in architecture at Yale University
.
McDonald’s work has often been compared to Wright’s because nature is a continuous theme in
his design—he emphasized the importance of a natural setting and the use of natural materials.
McDonald also encouraged homeowners to be aware of the elegance of the natural environment,
thereby making them more sensitive to nature. McDonald designed unique homes that not
only appealed to the general-public, but were affordable.
Initially, McDonald’s designs were predominately for private residences; however, as years
passed and his success and reputation increased, he was commissioned to design monasteries,
hotels, factories, dormitories, schools, and churches across the country and abroad.
McDonald constructed his first house, located at 801 Lathrop Avenue, Racine, Wisconsin
in 1949. McDonald and his family lived in the house for several years before moving to another home he designed located at 1001 Russet Street, also in Racine. In addition to Racine, McDonald designed several private, public, and religious buildings in Milwaukee and Kenosha. With his continued success, McDonald expanded his business and moved to Florida
in 1963.
He designed at least two homes in Temple Terrace, Florida
. McDonald was successful throughout his life as he designed hotels, banks, churches, and marinas throughout the world, as well as homes for various celebrities, such as Bjorn Borg, Mickey Mantle, Perry Como, Jimmy Connors, James Garner and Maureen O'Hara. McDonald died in 2003.
McDonald had many apprentices in his career; the last was Tom Bloczynski of Marshfield, Wisconsin
. Bloczynski remained until McDonald's death in December 2003, and subsequently completed McDonald's unfinished projects.
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
.
McDonald’s work has often been compared to Wright’s because nature is a continuous theme in
his design—he emphasized the importance of a natural setting and the use of natural materials.
McDonald also encouraged homeowners to be aware of the elegance of the natural environment,
thereby making them more sensitive to nature. McDonald designed unique homes that not
only appealed to the general-public, but were affordable.
Initially, McDonald’s designs were predominately for private residences; however, as years
passed and his success and reputation increased, he was commissioned to design monasteries,
hotels, factories, dormitories, schools, and churches across the country and abroad.
McDonald constructed his first house, located at 801 Lathrop Avenue, Racine, Wisconsin
Racine, Wisconsin
Racine is a city in and the county seat of Racine County, Wisconsin, United States. According to 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the city had a population of 82,196...
in 1949. McDonald and his family lived in the house for several years before moving to another home he designed located at 1001 Russet Street, also in Racine. In addition to Racine, McDonald designed several private, public, and religious buildings in Milwaukee and Kenosha. With his continued success, McDonald expanded his business and moved to Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
in 1963.
He designed at least two homes in Temple Terrace, Florida
Temple Terrace, Florida
Temple Terrace is an incorporated city in northeastern Hillsborough County, Florida, USA, adjacent to Tampa. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 24,541. It is the third and smallest incorporated municipality in Hillsborough County...
. McDonald was successful throughout his life as he designed hotels, banks, churches, and marinas throughout the world, as well as homes for various celebrities, such as Bjorn Borg, Mickey Mantle, Perry Como, Jimmy Connors, James Garner and Maureen O'Hara. McDonald died in 2003.
McDonald had many apprentices in his career; the last was Tom Bloczynski of Marshfield, Wisconsin
Marshfield, Wisconsin
Marshfield is a city in Marathon and Wood counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It is the largest city in Wood County. The small portion of the city that extends into Marathon County is part of the Wausau Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 18,800 at the 2000 census. Marshfield is...
. Bloczynski remained until McDonald's death in December 2003, and subsequently completed McDonald's unfinished projects.