John Bruce
HawkinsAIA

Hawkins was born in Chapel Hill and grew up in a 100-year-old cottage on Hillsborough Street rented from bandleader Kay Kyser. In 1957, the family moved to a Modernist split-level on Estes Drive designed by Jack Pruden. In 1963-1964, he spent a year in London where his dad was on sabbatical. The family of six toured extensively throughout Europe in a Volkswagen microbus.

Hawkins graduated from Amherst with a BA in English Literature and Journalism in 1975; UVA as a special student in Architectural History in 1976; and the University of Minnesota with a BA in Architecture, in 1980. From 1980 to 1989 he was project manager for Abrash Eddy & Eckhardt in Great Falls VA. Returning to Chapel Hill, he worked 1989-1991 for O'Brien Atkins and 1991-1994 for CPAA. He opened his own office in 1994 in downtown Chapel Hill which continues today.

He wrote about design for Architecture Magazine (2000-2006); the Chapel Hill Newspaper (1995-2003); and NC Home Magazine (1990-1996).