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DONALD KNORR, FAIA (1922-2003)
Born in
Chicago, Knorr decided at 16 he was going to be an
architect, attending the
University of
Illinois. He served in the Navy in WWII as an officer
in the
Photo Intelligence Service,
studying aerial photos of potential bombing sites. After the
war, he returned to the University for a BA in Architecture
in 1947 and a Masters from
Cranbrook.
Eero Saarinen became his
mentor and employer. At Saarinen's urging, Knorr
submitted a steel chair design to a
New York Museum of Modern Art
competition and won his first international first-place
award.
1956 -
The Robert and Betty Hilmer House, 1 Mercedes Lane, Atherton
CA. Similar to the Case Study #19A House. Deeded to heirs.
Sold in 2020 to the George Hensler Trust.
Year unknown - aka Case Study House 19A. Unbuilt. Designed for a young couple and their son, this was the first home in the Case Study program to be located outside southern California. Although the house was drawn all the way up to its construction documents, it was never built due to the client’s financial difficulties. Instead, Knorr built the Hilmer House nearby with the same general plan.
1978 -
The Portola Valley Ranch project, which capitalized on the
area's natural beauty and open space, keeping views of the
valleys clear and using only indigenous plants in the
landscaping.