Robert E. Jones
(b.1930 – d. 1991)

Robert E. “Bob” Jones was born in Lawton, Oklahoma in 1930. Following his graduation from high school in Los Angeles, he graduated from USC's School of Architecture in 1955. Prior to graduation, Robert won first place in the Illuminating Engineers Design Competition. Jones' first architecture license was granted in 1959.

In part, working as an associate for Deems-Martin, Associates early on established a foundation for his work design work throughout San Diego. Bob Jones earned two awards of merit from the San Diego chapter of the AIA in 1960.

Joining the cadre of progressive architects in San Diego, Jones would become quickly recognized for his Case Study House inspired buildings around San Diego. According to one family member, he may have been involved in some capacity with Ed Killingsworth’s La Jolla Case Study Triad.This graduate wore his influences on his sleeve.

Between several partnerships, Bob Jones would, on his own, design a number of residential and commercial projects including his own office and three homes for his family. During the early 1960s, Jones partnered with Henry Hester on a number of distinguished projects including their Horizon Home design and Bob’s first home for his family on Balboa Avenue in Del Mar.
Of Jones Residence #1, one of his children recently remarked, “The house was pretty miraculous [as] it was built on a bad lot… [and] he didn't remove any of the trees because most were…old Torrey Pines, so he designed the house around them. John Lloyd Wright went down to the Building Review meeting [with Bob] to defend the design.” Jones hired local building contractor Herb Turn to build the cantilevered structure overlooking Bill Lewis’ (Deems Lewis) residence. Joe Yamada, San Diego’s top landscape architect of the era, designed the house’s surroundings as he did for other Jones projects.

According to son, Brent Jones, "...he was probably best known for his innovative urban planning ideas in the 60's. He introduced 0-lot line housing which maximized land use and encouraged outdoor living space."

Following his work with Hester & Jones through the 1960s, Robert joined Ed Hom to form Jones & Hom. The partnership was dissolved in the mid-70's along with Jones’ first marriage. His wife, Sara, remained in the Del Mar home Bob designed for years, before succumbing to lung cancer in 1991. In the 1980s Jones worked with Frank Hope’s firm as well as Tucson landscape architect Guy Greene.

Following Jones & Hom, according to daughter Brigette Jones, Robert joined in partnership with Iwao Koizumi (Koizumi-Jones) just north of San Diego. Among many projects, some of the highlights were built in Japan. Towards the end of his career, he also enjoyed short stints with Frank L. Hope (working on a project in Saudi Arabia) and Guy Greene a landscape architect from Tucson. Following the dissolution of these partnerships, Bob ran his own practice Robert E. Jones, Architect until he passed away.

Following James Britton's death, Del Mar resident Peter Kaye hired Jones as the San Diego Union's architecture critic - a short, yet fruitful assignment.

At the time of his passing Robert E. Jones was survived by his second wife Elizabeth, daughter Brigette and son Brent.

Partial List of Projects

Bahl Patio Homes (1972)
Designed by Jones & Hom
Sunnyvale, CA
*Published in Home Building July, 1972

Bardoccos Residence (1974)
Del Mar
*Photographed by Julius Shulman

Bruck, Clarence Residence (1965)
Rue Adrian, La Jolla
AIA San Diego - Award of Honor (1966)

Busch, Max L. Residence (1963)
Designed by Jones & Hom
2412 Ocean Front, Del Mar

Casitas Capistrano (circa 1970s)
San Juan Capistrano, CA

Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints (circa 1970s)
Encinitas

Condominiums (ca. 1970s)
1250 Cave Street, La Jolla

Dormitories (circa 1980s)
Designed by Jones and Manuel Rosen
UC San Diego

Horizon Home Contest Winner (1963)
2608 Angel Avenue, University City

Johnson Residence (circa early 1960s)
Del Mar

Jones, Robert E. Residence #1 (1962)
Designed by Hester, Jones and Associates
2041 Balboa, Del Mar
Award of Excellence, AIA San Diego Chapter (1962)
Built by Herb Turner

Jones Residence #2 (1973)
1997 Zapo, Del Mar

Library (circa 1960s)
Possibly Galbraith Hall alongside Deems Lewis
UC San Diego

Office Building (circa 1970s)
1245 Roslyn Lane, La Jolla

San Carlos Fire Station (1963)
6565 Cowles Mt. Road
A radical departure from fire station design, this purist post and beam design with glass infill forces the fire engines to appear as shop-window mannequins on display. Fire Station is still being used as originally intended.

Stroll, Avrum & Mary Residence
Valdes Drive, La Jolla