Warnecke Biography

Warnecke's Influence at Asilomar

John Carl Warnecke was born in 1919 in Oakland, California. He received his BA degree from Stanford University, and entered Harvard University's architectural school in 1941. He completed the three-year course in only one year, receiving his Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1942.

Warnecke worked as a draftsman for his father's architecture firm until 1947,when he opened his own office in San Francisco, becoming one of the most successful contemporary architects, and gaining national and international acclaim for his designs of numerous prestigious structures, such as the pedestrian mall in front of the White House. A close friend and confidante of Jacqueline Kennedy, Warnecke was chosen by the First Lady to design the grave site memorial of John F. Kennedy at Arlington in 1963. He had previously worked with Jackie Kennedy to create a preservation plan for the 19th century townhouses in Lafayette Square near the White House.

Among Warnecke's many other architectural accomplishments are the Hawaiian State Capitol building in Honolulu, the American embassy in Thailand, and libraries for the U.S. Naval Academy, Stanford University, and the University of California at Berkeley and Santa Cruz. And, on the Monterey Peninsula, Warnecke's projects included the Mark Thomas Inn (now the Hyatt Regency) completed in 1957, and the Del Monte Shopping Center completed in 1968. In between those dates, he also designed and built seven structures at Asilomar.

Still in practice today in San Francisco, Warnecke's architectural firm continues to be recognized for its award-winning designs. His 30-40 year old buildings at Asilomar, built in a style to complement the much older Julia Morgan-designed structures, stand as a testament to his architectural ability to enhance Asilomar through his sensitive designs that blend so seamlessly with the natural surroundings.