John Randal McDonald

Who is John Randal McDonald?

John Randal McDonald was a prominent architect who worked in the 1950s and 1960s. McDonald was born in Milwaukee in 1922 and served in World War II as an officer in the U.S. Navy before pursuing a degree in architecture. After a brief stint in the fine arts program at the State Teacher’s College, McDonald decided to pursue his interest in architecture at Yale University.

McDonald’s work has often been compared to Wright’s because nature is a continuous theme in his design—he emphasized the importance of a natural setting and the use of natural materials. McDonald also encouraged homeowners to be aware of the elegance of the natural environment, thereby making them more sensitive to nature. McDonald designed unique homes that not only appealed to the general-public, but were affordable.

Initially, McDonald’s designs were predominately for private residences; however, as years passed and his success and reputation increased, he was commissioned to design monasteries, hotels, factories, dormitories, schools, and churches across the country and abroad.

McDonald constructed his first house, located at 801 Lathrop Avenue, Racine, Wisconsin in 1949.