Throughout his extraordinary career, Joseph P. Paoluccio transformed the way architects do business with public sector clients, federal agencies, and national and international organizations, giving particular emphasis to improving the working relationships between design professionals and the various branches of the US military.
Joseph was born in Massachusetts to Italian immigrant parents, who moved the family to California for warmer climes. His father and grandfather were both general contractors, sparking Joseph’s interests and pursuits in drafting and architecture. At the start of the Korean War, Joseph (age 17) enlisted into the Navy, serving as a SeaBee based in Morocco, where he gained experience working with architects and draftsmen. After the war, he studied architecture at UC Berkeley before succumbing to the allure of physics and engineering.
Joseph returned to San Diego, eventually establishing a highly respected engineering firm specializing in mechanical, electrical, and fire safety engineering, supporting the success of major projects around the region and internationally. Mid-career, Joseph received his California architectural license and Architecture degree at Cal Poly, Pomona, enabling his firm to serve primarily public agencies with a full spectrum of architectural and engineering services for projects totaling billions of dollars.
In addition to his successful practice, Joseph was unstinting in his efforts to simultaneously improve the lot of architects/engineers and elevate the profession. Because of him, design professionals now work more efficiently and productively on federal government and public agency commissions. His articles, speeches, presentations, symposia and personal monitoring and mentoring have a common theme: how architects and engineers can improve themselves and their practices.
Widely recognized by other professional organizations, Joseph holds the following titles: “John Bolles, FAIA, Fellow” by AIA California Council, NCARB Certificate, and a Fellow of American Council of Engineering Companies, American Society of Civil Engineers, American Society of Civil Engineers, and of Institute for the Advancement of Engineering. This recognition by the AIA San Diego for a lifetime of extraordinary achievements is overwhelmingly deserved and long overdue.
