Arthur Lee Simpson

Art Simpson grew up in Fort Bragg, California where, in high school, an aptitude test reported that a good career option for him was as an architect. He attended Cal (1951-56) where he signed up for ROTC and served at Fort Ord. Following graduation, with an appreciation of Le Corbusier’s work, he drove south to San Diego not long after interviewing at William Wurster’s office.

In 1956, his first job was in Tom Shephard’s office. Shortly thereafter, Art would gain experience in the offices of Richard Wheeler (alongside Gayne Wimer), Frank Hope and Henry Hester. Of the latter experience, Art would recall it was a place where “…every detail was a work of art.” He joined the San Diego chapter of the AIA in 1961.

Art’s partnership with Joseph Gerber as, Simpson & Gerber Architects, was founded in 1962. At the time their office was located at 7911 Herschel Avenue Suite #410.

Through the decades the firm enjoyed a number of residential commissions throughout San Diego (including the Oaks North tract in Rancho Bernardo) and a number of commercial projects (especially hospitals) across the U.S. According to Art, their office was the largest firm in San Diego during the peak of their hospital work. In 1968, the office raised local eyebrows when they voluntarily raised their staff’s wages 20%. The local chapter of the AIA held a special meeting to discuss the ramifications of this wage increase on other local firms. Fellow architects like Ward Deems reached out to the team to gain the backstory behind such unprecedented pay raises.

According to author Dirk Sutro, “Some of Simpson & Gerber’s best-known designs are clean-lined La Jolla beach houses covered with rustic wood siding, and the Revelle College Provost’s Office draws from their residential work.” The Revelle College Provost wanted a glass building, according to Mr. Simpson, as he “…did not want anything between he and the students [at a time of campus student uprisings].” Joe Gerber created a structural roof system so it could be wrapped in glass.

Simpson & Gerber Architects closed its doors in 1995 the year Joe Gerber died of Alzheimer’s disease.

Partial List of Projects

Armbruster, Frazier & Portia House (1967-68)
12812 Via Esperia, Del Mar

Delano Community Hospital (1969)
Delano, CA

Ellis Residence Addition (1962)
4551 South Lane, Del Mar
Pool-Cabana Addition to a house attributed to Lloyde Therkelsen (ca. 1959)

Gerber, Joseph Residence (1970)
421 Serpentine Drive, Del Mar

Kriege, Jack and Peggy Residence Remodel (1962)
2012 Santa Fe Avenue, Del Mar

Laguna Hills Convalescent Hospital (1969)
Laguna Hills

Masek Residence #1 (1967)
1439 Calle Altura, La Jolla

Masek Residence #2 (1972)
La Jolla Shores, La Jolla

Masek, Lois and George Residence
727 J Ave.
Unclear if this was built

Masek Residence
Costebelle Drive La Jolla
Demolished in the 1980s

Neeley Residence #1
Del Mar

Nuuanu Doctors Hopsital and Clinic (1969)
Gerber served as Associate Architect with Wilson/Okamoto Architects & Engineers

Oaks North Housing (ca. 1979)
Rancho Bernardo

Private Residence (1978)
12911 Via Latina, Del Mar

Private Residence (1973)
8521 El Paseo Grande
AIA Award of Merit on 10/19/74,
Published in San Diego Magazine November 1974

Revelle College Provost's Office (1967-68)
UC San Diego

Seven Lamps Office Building (1974)
Possibly at 7825 Ivanhoe
AIA Award, 1974. Published in San Diego Magazine – November, 1974

Simpson, Art Residence (1969)
4875 Academy Street

US Navy Barracks (1967)
San Diego