Designing a Lifelong Passion… John Haddon Design celebrates 30 years By Mary Savage
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hen John Alden Haddon decided to go into business 30 years ago, the impetus had been on a slow churn since his youth. Looking back, one could say John’s passion and talent was – literally – in the palm of his hand: he loved to draw homes. Today, three decades after establishing John Haddon Design Ltd., John has designed thousands of homes in Alberta, hundreds throughout North America and dozens around the world – many of which are multimillion-dollar houses. His work has appeared in Architectural Digest along with countless provincial and local publications.
John Alden Haddon
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Over the last couple of decades, his designs have garnered dozens of SAM awards for homebuilders and he has an avid following among social media fans. And as he stops to reflect on a lifetime of work, his drive to ‘be a better designer’ is fully engaged and stronger than ever. “With every house, I strive to create a work of art – something that the homeowner will always enjoy and admire with awe, and that’s my footprint in the sand,” says John Haddon, president, John Haddon Design. “It’s not about designing trophy homes, it’s about realizing the homeowner’s dream.” He listens to his customers, studies the streetscape and neighbourhood,
and then begins the design process. As an example, designing an estate home on an inner-city lot comes with certain challenges – namely drafting a design that flows within the existing community while achieving the homeowner’s vision. “The toughest part of any design is the first line, but you have to draw the first line to start the process. Draw what you know and the rest will fall into place and if it doesn’t, change the first line,” he adds with a smile. His approach is seemingly simply and when John sits down with a client to talk about their plans and dreams, one glance across the table finds the design wheels in motion. As his eyes drift upward, the gears of ingenuity are engaged while he continues to listen and absorb every image the client shares. And as he pulls from a lifetime of experience, knowledge and expertise, he starts to draft the home in his mind’s eye. He is a master of the trade and his ability to create award-winning design speaks to the level of expertise he brings to every new project. Today John Haddon is a highly respected and soughtafter designer – raising the bar and redefining the process. From estate homes and vacation properties to duplexes and infills, one need look no further than our backyard to view his versatile and impressive portfolio. As John Haddon Design celebrates their 30th anniversary, we glance back for a moment and listen to a few stories that have shaped this influential and successful businessman.
Never without a pencil… From the time that John discovered writing instruments, he was drawing – not unlike most children – but John was different. He drew houses that spoke of grandold architecture: century-old homes that speckled the New England coastline and communities.
He was born and raised in the southwest corner of New Brunswick and came from a long line of sea captains on his father’s side. Growing up, he recalls Passamaquoddy Bay and spent every summer on Deer Island – surrounded by the water and architecture that had withstood many centuries. Throughout his schooling, from kindergarten to Grade 12, John was never without paper and pen – but not for note taking. The majority of his notebooks were filled with drawings. He didn’t view his ability as a special gift; he simply loved to draw houses – never once stopping to consider his fate. When John finished high school, he attended university and studied civil engineering, but after a year he opted not to return. He took a job in a hardware store and contemplated what he wanted to do with his life … and one day while sketching another home, it finally hit him. “I realized my first love was designing homes and then I returned to university. I had no interest in designing skyscrapers or office buildings, so I veered away from becoming an architect and opted to study civil architectural technology,” he recalls. He graduated in 1980, but there was no work for a draftsman on the East Coast – causing John to travel west to Calgary – and within six months, he landed a job with Keith Homes who were developing the communities of Midnapore Lake and Sundance. “In the years prior to moving west, I used to receive letters from my sister who had already moved to Calgary. In her letters, she wrote about a company that ‘went to the rim of the bare prairie, dug these huge holes, filled them with water to create a lake and then built communities around them…’ and I always found it ironic I ended up working for that very company,” he says. Keith Homes evolved into Keith Engineered Homes, which then became Genstar Properties. But inside of four years, the economy was wavering sufficiently for Genstar to close its doors on their housing company. And the shift in the marketplace prompted John to reevaluate his career: the timing was perfect to establish
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mong the thousands of people who were affected by the June 2013 floods, John was one of them. On the morning of June 20 and as he was not prepared for the flood – the water rushed in with such velocity he was not able to evacuate or save most of his valuables and keepsakes. He saw the rise and fall of the floodwaters – first hand. He also saw the deterioration of his life’s work and was forced to relocate his office to a temporary location. This month, John moved back to his original office and although many of the files, equipment and belongings were lost, a few keepsakes were rescued: a handful of drawings from his teenage years and the original drafting table he used to start the business.
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Congratulations to John Haddon Design on 30 years! RDM Interiors has worked with John Haddon for over twenty years, both doing the interiors as well as selling many of his homes. Wishing John and his team continued success!
403-244-3226
403-294-1500
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rdm.int@shaw.ca
We at Marvin Windows of Canada are pleased to have been partners of John Haddon Design’s success and are looking forward to another 30 years of continued and successful partnership!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
Marvin Windows & Doors of Canada #15 - 4948 126 Avenue SE, Calgary, AB, T2Z 0A9 Phone: 403-726-1575 | Fax: 403-279-3360 Email: calgary@marvincanada.com | www.marvincanada.com
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through word of mouth. “When Realtors show a John Haddon Design house, it attracts a particular clientele. I have worked very hard and my name is recognized – and that means something,” he adds.
John Haddon Design. “Many of the people who worked for Genstar started their own companies and it was through these relationships that I landed many contracts … and that’s how it started,” adds John. For the first 10 years, John rolled along picking up enough work to keep him busy, but he wanted more. He wanted to design high-end homes … and then the call came. He landed his first large-scale contract for a prominent family who wanted a summer home on the B.C. coast, and that proved to be a turning point for John Haddon Design. For the past 20 years, John has been designing highend homes and he has established his reputation largely
Two computer screens on the left… One drafting table on the right
AD PROOF - URGENT When a potential customer calls John to talk about designing a new home, he immediately pulls up Google Maps and locates their property. “Every house is different, every client is different and every lot is different and when someone phones me out of the blue, I always keep two computer screens open: the City of Calgary map N S and Google Maps,” notes John. “During the initial phone call, I try to give the customer as much information as possible – as it relates to I O N S their lot and what they can and can’t do. The initial call is to understand the parameters,” asserts John. “Many people don’t realize that Google Maps exists and many people are surprised – during the initial conversation – that I’m able to provide so much detailed information.” And John never charges for the first meeting – it’s simply how he has always run the business. “As the homeowner begins to describe their vision, we talk
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info@riverviewhomes.ca 403.973.9675 www.riverviewhomes.ca P U B L I C A T CHBA - Calgary Region
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John Haddon is a key stakeholder in the initial ‘dream to design’ phase of development for our clients. Riverview Custom Homes sends out our sincerest congratulations to you, John, for 30 impressive years in business. You are not only a great designer but a great person as well. We look forward to what is in store for you and your design creations in the future.
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403.243.8823 insightai.com
Congratulations on your 30 year milestone!
Call or email
#2, 2220 - 20 Avenue NW 403.338.1172 instantplumbing@shaw.ca
www.douglassurveys.com • 403.228.7005 290 - 2323 32nd Avenue NE, Calgary AB
Congratulations on 30 years, John Haddon Design. Proud to be associated with your company and work.
www.instantplumbing.ca
Welcome to Instant Plumbing Ltd.! We have been in operation since 1972, are BBB accredited, and offer full residential plumbing services in all areas of Calgary. Very well qualified, we use only journeymen and advanced apprentices on-site.
Congratulations John Haddon Design for 30 successful years in business!
John Haddon Design | Celebrating 30 Years | 4
Quality Custom Home Builder and Renovator
ENT
ud Platinum Sponsor of the CA/ADA NT Congratulations John on your 30th Anniversary. We look forward to working with you for many more years to come!
Proud Platinum Sponsor of the C Custom Homes | Renovations | Project Management
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or email 403.399.6867 • info@homesbymanorgate.com www.HomesByManorGate.com Proud Platinum Sponsor of the CA/ADA Congratulations
to the team at John Haddon Design, on reaching this 30 year milestone! We value our• info@homesbymanorgate.com relationship and Call or email 403.399.6867 look www.HomesByManorGate.com forward to our continued partnership.
# 200, 11420 27th Street SE, Calgary, AB, T2Z 3R6
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www.stonebriarcraftedhomes.com 403.880.9939 Warmest congratulations on achieving a significant business milestone 30 Years in Business! Our very best wishes for continued success!
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When a client is building a house for the purpose of selling it, John’s goal is to make the passersby stop the car and want to go inside. “From the moment they open the front door, I want to hear them say, ‘Wow.’ The design draws them inside and makes them want to open every door – it has beauty, flow and personality,” he asserts. “I want to create intrigue in every room of the house.”
“R
ivet” is the latest software in the drafting world and allows designers to draft in 3D. It also allows the client to view their new home design in 3D – bringing a new dimension to the process. To educate his employees, John hired an instructor to provide in-house training of the new technology, however the sessions were cut short when the floods hit on the third day of teaching. Once the office had been relocated, lessons resumed. about the style of architecture, their dreams and as many details as possible,” he asserts. “Traditional or modern … subdued-traditional or ultramodern? I think in 3D and I can see the house design take shape as the client explains their dreams. In my mind, I am touring their new home – until I can translate the layout onto paper,” he says. And when John refers to ‘paper,’ it’s literal. Inside his office and opposite the computer screens, you will find a drafting table. “I still design by hand and I love the flair of a pencil – you will never get the pencil out of my hand!” he says. “It’s tough to do good design on a computer – you need the flair of the lead … you can’t stop the mind from creating.” And when it comes to design, there are three main styles: traditional, modern and contemporary. Contemporary can be a mix of both traditional and modern, but as John has observed, the house has to ‘fit’ the neighbourhood, the environment, privacy requirements and the overall design has to flow – it’s the sum of all the parts. “I grew up surrounded by old architecture and I try to emulate the lines and styles that reflect those homes – even though styles have changed and there are more modern and contemporary homes now,” he comments. “I can design any style of home or any combination of styles, and often people will blend styles to achieve the look they want.” From acreages and estate homes to inner-city infills, John works with a variety of clients. When he works with the homebuilders, his designs offer a universal appeal. Likewise, he works with many professionals who build homes as an alternative income source. John looks after the design and the homeowner hires a builder, and although John is not involved with the construction aspect, he stays on the project until the framing is complete.
When you stop learning, you stop living… Since starting the business, John’s passion has never waned and with each new project, his enthusiasm and drive remains constant – rising up and fanning out. “My level of expertise is always changing and my goal to ‘be better’ has never changed. When you stop learning, you stop living,” he notes. “Technology has changed the way we communicate with our clients and how we manage the design process,” says John. “When I started the business, we used to produce blueprints. Today we view everything online – regardless of where the client lives or where we are building their new home.” And today, the clients are far more educated, they are more style savvy and they know what they want. “People want smaller, more compact homes, but they want a lot more detail, and they expect more style and better value for their investment,” he says. As John has watched the industry grow, he’s witnessed a movement among communities that have evolved from homebuilders to homeowners. “Thirty years ago, there were more ‘cookie-cutter’ homes with an emphasis on suburb and bedroom communities. Today, there are a lot more inner-city estate developments … with a demand for style,” he asserts. “Calgary’s architecture is looking phenomenal and I want to continue to be a part of that … it pulls me forward. I’m learning all the time which enables me to provide more options to my clients, but always with a creative edge,” he adds. “And Calgary has some phenomenal designers – they make me want to become a better designer. I can’t stagnate – I have to move forward, grow and improve,” says John. •
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www.johnhaddondesign.com | john@johnhaddondesign.com 334 24 Ave SW, Calgary, AB | 403.245.2443
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