Herb Turner

Following his graduation from West Point, Herb Turner studied at Lehigh University’s Art Students League and the National Academy of Design. Having discovered the beauty of Southern California, an in particular, John Lloyd Wright’s residential designs, Herb decided to head west. Herb wrote Mr. Wright requesting an apprenticeship in his Del Mar practice. Following his announcement to his father that he was leaving, Mr. Turner packed up his car and drove to Del Mar. The year was 1952, a time when Wright’s Olde Del Mar neighborhood’s dirt roads were still being cleared by horses dragging eucalyptus logs around the hillside.

Turner arrived on John Lloyd Wright’s doorstep with the assumption his letter had arrived and Wright would welcome the young apprentice/assistant. Instead Herb was welcomed with neither. Wright welcomed the young, weary traveler into his home and in exchange for work around the property, Herb was given room and board. The apprenticeship lasted a few years at 75-cents per hour before Turner joined Dale Naegle’s firm.

Herb Turner eventually opened his own home-office where he established a successful family-run design-build firm that continues to be active to this day. Since his early days in Del Mar, Turner has also painted, sculpted (having exhibited his work at Laguna Beach Art Museum, La Jolla Art Guild, and the San Diego Museum of Art) and taught students from his home-studio.

Partial Project List

George Berkich Residence

Cates Residence

Michael and Patricia Cowett Residence (1977)
966 Klish Way, Del Mar

Don Fujimoto Residence

Mathes Residence

McAmey Residence
307 Bellaire, Del Mar

Private Residence
1912 Seaview, Del Mar

Private Residence
423 Luzon, Del Mar

 

Private Residence (1965)
555 Zuni Drive

Richard Rypinsky Residence (1963)
343 Serpentine Drive, Del Mar

Albert Southworth "Oasis House"
1087 Klish, Del Mar

Turner House & Studio (1953)
505-606 Zuni, Del Mar