Biography

     John Vandevelde began his formal architectural training at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, where the majority of studies concentrated on the principles of classical architecture.  The highlight of this 5-year program was the nine months spent living in Rome.  Immersed in arguably the most significant city in terms of art and architectural history, John acquired a passionate appreciation for traditional design.

     In May of 1993, John Vandevelde received a Bachelor of Architecture with High Honors and returned to California, anxious to begin his professional career at WLC Architects in Rancho Cucamonga.  One of the largest architectural firms in the Inland Empire, the firm specializes public schools, but a large percentage of their work includes civic, commercial, and religious facilities.  While employed as a design team member at WLC, John passed all nine sections of the registration exams on his first attempt in 1994.  The following year, he passed the oral exam in November and received his license from the State of California on December 1st.

     After 3 years working for WLC, John moved to Ewing Architects in Pasadena which proved to be an ideal environment for professional development.  Douglas Ewing founded the firm in 1972, and as a direct result of Ewing’s extraordinary design talent, the firm grew in size, as did its reputation for producing projects of the highest quality.  The valuable skills and insights acquired at Ewing Architects gave John the knowledge and confidence to establish his own practice, and in March of 1999, Vandevelde Architects was born.