Jonathan Merton Glasgow
1958-2021
| Jonathan Merton Glasgow was born on 25 November 1958 in Charlotte, Michigan, and died on 3 July 2021 in Long Beach, California. He was preceded in death by his loving mother, Marian King Glasgow, in 2008, and his sister, Ruth Glasgow, in 1990. Jonathan is survived by his husband, Sergio Zendejas, as well as his father, Donald E. Glasgow, in Fayette, Ohio, and his sister, Rebecca Glasgow Lovelass, in Madison, Wisconsin and his brother, David (Chris) Glasgow, in Sturgis, Michigan. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews as well as his aunt, Carola Skinner and the Zendejas family. Jon was unabashedly loved by many colleagues and friends.
His father was a minister and the family often found themselves in rural outposts and small towns. Those wide open spaces must have shaped him. From the age of five he knew he wanted to become an architect, giving his parents sketches of the home he felt they should build.
Jon was listed in Who's Who in American High Schools. He graduated from Newcomerstown High School in Ohio as Salutatorian and holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Kent State University and Master of Architecture and Master of Business Administration degrees from the University of Illinois. He received numerous academic scholarships. After college he worked in Chicago for Litton Industries. He designed an office building in Florida for that company. Jon moved to Santa Monica and worked from 1989 to 1990 for Rothenberg Sawasy Architects. Jon and his business partner, Gary Lambe, AIA, designed an office for the Los Angeles Water Department before starting Interstices Architecture in 1990 in Long Beach, California.
Jon tackled some of the City’s most innovative and—recognized today as—most iconic projects: Adaptive reuse conversions of the Walker Building, Kress Building, Courtyard Lofts, and the Masonic Temple to name just a few. Jon felt strongly that the City’s original architects be honored; As the march of demolition sounded during the 1990s, and more and more historic buildings fell, he felt compelled to speak on their behalf. In 2014 Jon received the Preservationist of the Year award from Long Beach Heritage, but it was ironic as everyone knew he had a passion and aptitude for contemporary architecture. When given free rein he produced some of the most iconic new designs seen in Southern California. Under Jon’s leadership, Interstices has received significant recognition for architectural projects, including a National American Institute of Architects Housing Award, AIA Long Beach/South Bay Honor, Merit, and Citation Awards, Long Beach Heritage Preservation Awards, Long Beach Cultural Heritage Commission Awards, Gold Nugget Award and a Compass Blueprint Achievement Award in Sustainability. He volunteered his considerable talent to organizations in the City of Long Beach where he served as President and Director of Advocacy for the Long Beach/South Bay Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, Director of Advocacy for Long Beach Heritage, and Chair of the Long Beach Downtown Visioning Task Force.
Jonathan Glasgow’s achievements will be recognized for years to come. He was a devoted husband, family man and beloved friend. He is missed.
A private memorial was held on 9 July 2021 at McKenzie Mortuary. A celebration of life sponsored by the AIA Long Beach/South Bay will take place in August 2021.
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