Robert Mosher was born on September 17, 1920 and was raised in Los Angeles. He attended The Art Center School, USC and University of Washington (in Seattle) where he majored in architecture. Drafted by the US Army and lated discharged on medical disability, Mosher completed his degree in Seattle as World War 2 came to a close. Returning to San Diego, Mosher worked for Myron Hunt & H.C. Chambers on several projects in San Diego for the US Navy and Marine Corps. Having married Chambers' secretary, Ann Hoover, Robert returned to L.A. to study for his state architectural exams and an 8-month stint with Harwell Hamilton Harris.
Roy Drew, raised in Pasadena, graduated with a bachelor's degree in Graphic Arts from Stanford in 1936 and a Masters in Architecture from Yale in 1941. As WW2 was enveloping the world, Drew gained experience working for Myron Hunt and Henry J. Kaiser. Following his service in the US Navy (1942-1946), Drew rejoined his architecture career where he met Robert Mosher in Paul Haynes' Los Angeles office.
Following the completion of his licensing exam, Mr. Mosher returned to his family in La Jolla and worked for William Templeton Johnson. Robert's father, Jack Mosher, purchased the Green Dragon Colony in 1944. Following Robert's departure from Templeton Johnson's office, Green Dragon became his first major project - design buildings for the property including his own office. Shortly thereafter commissions for home desigs started pouring in for clients like Rosco Hazard, Harry Rollins, George Wick and Richard Compton.
As the firm grew, Mosher invited Drew to stay in a Green Dragon apartment for 6-month trial period. By 1948, Roy Drew had sold the house he designed for himself in La Canada, moved his family to La Jolla, and established the firm Mosher and Drew, Architects. Early work was primarily residential and commercial commissions in La Jolla - including garage remodels, additions, signage, fences, store fronts and any other work they could secure.
Right away Mosher and Drew, Architects engaged San Diegans in their brand of humanist/modernist architecture. Designs for Gordon Gray, Herbert Kunzel, and James Copley drew attention from several publications including House Beautiful. The magazine's editor, Elizabeth Gordon, after seeing images of his early homes, requested that Robert Mosher work for the magazine. Roy agreed on him taking a sabbatical from the firm so he could pursue the role of Building Editor for the national shelter magazine. Moving to New York City, for a two-year span Robert lived with his family in Dobb's Ferry, commuting in to Manhattan daily. In preparation for House Beautiful's landmark dedication of an entire issue on architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Mosher lived with Mr. Wright at Taliesin in Spring Green, WI for 2-3 weeks. This period left a lasting impression on Mr. Mosher.
Robert Mosher, Legacy
Learning with Bob
Early career
Working with Frank Lloyd Wright I
Seattle & Regionalism
Growing up