John R. Mock
(born 1934)
Hendrick, Mock & Tipple (1963)
Hendrick & Mock Architects (1964-1994)

John R. Mock graduated with his Bachelor of Architectural Engineering in 1958 from the University of Detroit. His first on-the-job experience was with Chaffee Roofing Company in Detroit (1953). Prior to graduation he was employed by Victor Gruen Asso., Inc (1954-1955), he would gain experience working on large shopping centers. Before joining the US Army, he would work short stints with Palmquest and Wright (1955), Gifffels and Rossitti (1956) and Smith Hinchman and Gryles (1957). Following his tour of duty, Mock would return to Detroit to a depressed labor market. His parents, having moved to San Diego for retirement, asked him to join them on the coast.

Upon arriving in San Diego, John interviewed with three of the burgeoning city's largest firms (Paderewski, Mitchell and Dean; Richard George Wheeler; and Frank Hope) all on the same day. John was hired by Frank Hope's firm where he would gain much-needed experience (1958-1963). Here he would design a number of the firm's progressive designs (Timken Museum, Steel House, Chuck Hope Residence and more).

In 1963, following a few "moonlighting" jobs on the side (e.g. Robert Day Residence - his first solo design), John Mock decided to start his own firm. Working from a garage studio at times, John worked alongside partners Hendrick and Tipple to create a business focused on architecture and architectural services (renderings, model building). Model builder Tipple would leave the trio and Hendrick Mock would focus solely on architecture (1964-1994).

As early as 1962, he was given the Exceptional Merit Citation for outstanding service, by the AIA Chapter for Omniart Magazine (1962) and for the Third Biennial Honor Awards Program (1964).

While working for Frank L. Hope, John R. Mock designed the Hindman Residence as a side job. Soon after this early solo design effort was featured in San Diego and Point Magazine (June 1963), he resigned his position at Hope's firm. Mock would form the partnership Hendrick & Mock Architects where he would design post and beam Custom Builder homes for John Mortenson and other builders in Del Cerro and La Jolla.

Before being named "Mr. Masonry for 1974" by the Masonry Contractors Association of San Diego and Imperial Counties, he founded Hendrick & Mock Architects in 1963. Between 1963-1994," the firm completed 686 projects, of which 417 were constructed." During this time the firm maintained a general, yet comprehensive practice with an average staff of 10.

According to the firm's printed materials:

"The primary concern for all projects was to related the building and its environment to the people who will be using it. The firm balanced the needs of the client with professional judgement regarding aesthetics, material, design and cost. The approach to architecture was also omni-directional since it developed design and planning solutions from three different view points: form, function and economy."

One of the earliest references to John's view of local architecture came through in an April 1962 article in Omniart Magazine. The short-lived local AIA publication featured Mock's review of the 1960 AIA Honor Awards, "Architecture ...the Example". Here, among others, John Mock helped celebrate Homer Delawie's first residence for himself in Mission Hills - a bold design.

...I feel , as the 1960 San Diego Chapter AIA Honor Awards Jury felt, that each example indicates an awareness of the principles of architecture within its architect creator. Even as each architect has given his own expression to these principles, beyond the fact of dissimilarity of building types, common relationships between each are apparent.

These relationships can be stated as follows: 1. Attention to local climate involving the basic conception of the building. 2. Attention to space surrounding the building, as well as space within the building, to create harmony between building and site. 3. Superior development of functional planning to serve the purpose for which the building was intended. 4. Experiment with structure not as an end in itself, but in response to a specific architectural need. 5. Simplified construction process through better integration of building elements. 6. Application of the concept of surprise and delight by appealing to the senses, use of light and shadow, silhouette, suggestion. 7. Materials logically used to permit structure - form - space.

...We must realize that ...photographs can only record these buildings statically, as seen from a single view point., that of the camera. To fully comprehend the value of architecture and of relations stated, these buildings and their spaces must become part of the viewers' experience and thus must be walked through or around, preferably both. (OmniArt - April 1962)

Hendrick & Mock Architects would complete 686 projects, 417 of which were constructed.

Partial List of Projects

Bock Residence (1964)
2827 Palomino Circle, La Jolla

Catalina Pools Office (1969)
8200 / 8265 Center Drive, La Mesa

Chalcedony Garden Apartments (1966)
950 Chalcedony, Pacific Beach

Chalcedony House West Apartments (1969)
1707,1727 and 1747 Chalcedony, Pacific Beach

Commercial-Industrial Center (1966)
8200 Center Drive, La Mesa

Concrete Industries Horizon Home (1964)
6130 Calle Vera Cruz, La Jolla

Coral Reef Estates
Designed several of these "custom builder homes" going up Solded Avenue on the south slope of Mt Soledad
5525 Soledad Mt Road is one example

Day, Robert Residence (circa 1959)
La Mesa

Development House for John Mortenson (1964)
243 Horizon Hills Drive, El Cajon
Purchased by Grant Ledford (AKA Ledford Residence)

Diamond House Apartments (1967)
933 Diamond Street, Pacific Beach

Dorman Tire Company (1966)
4690 El Cajon Boulevard, San Diego

Emerald House Apartments (1966)
1650 Emerald, Pacific Beach

Fares Company Inc
National Avenue, San Diego

First National Bank
Facade Screen Design (while employed by Hope)
D Street, Encinitas

Flores Residence (1967)
3500 Via Flores, Point Loma

Golden Reed Apartments (1966)
1401 Reed Avenue, Pacific Beach

Greenwood Residence (1964)
6567 Linda Lane, Del Cerro

Hanalei Hotel and Islands Restaraunt (1964-1981)

Hindman, Dr. Robert Residence (Construction completed in April 1962)
10636 Snyder Road, Mt Helix
Designed byJohn Mock. This project won the Gold Nugget Grand Prize Award by Pacific Builders (1963). Published in the June 1963 issue of San Diego and Point.

Holy Cross Cemetary Mausoleum
4470 Hilltop Drive, San Diego

Hope, Chuck Residence
While employed by Frank Hope
Point Loma

Hornblend Apartments (1966)
1933 Hornblend Street, Pacific Beach

Kassel Residence (1965)
Del Cerro, San Diego

Kendal Palm Apartments (1966)
4444 Kendal, Pacific Beach

La Casa Flores Apartments (1968)
3510 Front Street
Designed by Hendrick and Mock Architects

Lamont House Apartments (1967)
4040 Lamont Street, Pacific Beach

Laufer Residence (1964)
6105 Pasatiempo Avenue
San Diego

Mitchell Residence (1964)
9973 Shadow Road, La Mesa

Mock, John R. Residence (1969)
6410 Elmhurst Drive, San Diego

Operation Pacific
1060 Pt Loma Blvd
(remodel of old Pt Loma Post Office)

Parkway Technical & Education Center
(across from Carl Burger's Dodge World), La Mesa

Phillips Residence (1964)
565 Rimrock, El Cajon

Private Residence (1959) (AKA Chambers Steel House)
4196 Eastridge Drive, La Mesa
While employed by Frank Hope
First light-steel House in San Diego
Published in San Diego & Point March 1959
House in Eastridge Estates was on view for weeks as a showcase home for new designs in steel construction

Pullman Cafeteria Remodel
1240 5th Avenue, San Diego

Reed House Apartments (1968)
1222 Reed Street, Pacific Beach

Royal Reed Apartments (1968)
1488 Reed Street, Pacific Beach

Saint Therese Social Center
5815 Navajo Road

Sapphire Palm Apartments (1964)
901 Sapphire Street, Pacific Beach

Silverman Residence (1972)
1770 Colgate Circle, La Jolla

Spec Houses for E.P. Custom Construction Co.
5 designs in Del Cerro

Star Realty (1969)
4433 Convoy Street, Clairemont Mesa

Thomas House Apartments (1967)
1333 Thomas Avenue, Pacific Beach

Thomas House Annex Apartments (1967)
1301 Thomas Avenue, Pacific Beach

Timken Museum (1965)
While employed by Frank Hope
Balboa Park

Trinity Lutheran Church
Encanto

Ullman, Dr. Milton Residence (1964)
4786 Mt. Helix Drive, Mt Helix
Designed by Hendrick and Mock Architects

Valley Ho Restaraunt
While employed by Frank Hope
Mission Valley, Demolished