Ron Molen graduated from the University of Utah in 1958 and received his Utah architect’s license in 1966. He designed for several years for Glen Ashton Lloyd, then later for his own practice. He loved the idea of large gathering spaces and separate private spaces (conversation pits & lofts). He joined these two ideals together for “open, free and spontaneous space” and believed that “a true family house offers a vital, imaginative, productive environment…a place for creative family living.”

Ed Dreier was born and raised in Switzerland, where he attended architecture school before immigrating to the US in 1949. He worked with local firms Ware & McClenahan and Woods & Woods before starting his own practice in 1952. His designs were primarily in the International style with heavy influence from Mies van der Rohe and the Bauhaus.

Stephen MacDonald studied engineering at the University of Utah before going on to study architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He returned to the University of Utah in the 1950’s, going on to become a professor. He designed numerous homes in Salt Lake, Ogden, and Provo. He used many natural elements in his homes, while minimizing the separation between interior & exterior.

John Sugden was born in Illinois but moved with his family to Salt Lake City, where he attended East High School prior to enlisting in the Army during World War II. Prior to being decommissioned, he was stationed in his birth city of Chicago, where he completed a Masters Degree in Architecture from the Illinois Institute of Technology and worked as a draftsman for Mies van der Rohe. In 1952, he returned to Salt Lake City where he set up his own practice.

Credited with being the creator of the “California Ranch Style Home”, Cliff May is near and dear to my heart since he designed the very first home I ever purchased. His homes are very prevalent throughout Southern California but can also be found in Denver (Harvey Park) and Salt Lake City (Maywood Hills).

All of these architects also made a strong mark on the Northern Utah market with their mid century inspired designs:

Don LaMonte Earl
Robert Bliss
Donald Panushka
Ross Lloyd Snedaker
Robert Fowler