Years ago, in a college counseling office, Dan Withee pulled a book on architecture off the shelf.

This would spark Withee, who as a young boy loved to draw and admire buildings, to pursue the craft, making it his life's work. 

The Palos Verdes High School class of ‘67 graduate grew up thinking he was going to be an engineer, but after his first year at UCSD, he changed direction.

"I thought I was going to be a test pilot," Withee, 61, said. "My mother always knew I was going to be an architect."

Withee grew up in Palos Verdes Estates. His parents moved to West Los Angeles from Minneapolis when he was a baby and to Palos Verdes when he was just 10 years old. He has lived on the hill ever since.

His father taught him how to use tools at a young age, which encouraged his passion for materials and building.

Soon after discovering the architecture book in the counseling office, he applied and was accepted to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s Architecture program. This included a study of the architecture in Florence, Italy for one year.

After graduating in 1973, the new architect got his first job up on top of the hill at Neil, Stanton Palmer and Associates. Having sold his car the year before when he studied in Italy, he was still living at home and hitchhiking to work. He was hired as a designer doing perspectives and drawing buildings.

In 1977, after passing his licensing exam, Withee partnered with former classmate, Dale Malcolm, and they opened their first office in Malaga Cove Plaza, Withee Malcolm Architects. The new company started out doing remodels and building new homes.

Palos Verdes was growing rapidly at the time and the partners decided to divide the work with Malcolm handling most of the industrial projects and Withee doing the residential. Their company soon found their niche in doing in-fill projects (modifying existing buildings for a new purpose) and designing high density multifamily residences. They quickly outgrew their office in Malaga Cove.

Both Withee's family and his business have grown dramatically throughout the past two decades.

"Luckily my ex-wife and I get along fine," said Withee as he reflected on the difference between his childhood growing up in a family of five, compared to his family gatherings today that often have more than 17 in attendance.

By 2006, Withee Malcolm Architects had designed and built the business park where they're located now.

"This location affords us to be in South Bay but we can get to downtown, Brentwood or Orange County within 30 minutes," Withee said.

Withee's company headed the 2006 Palos Verdes Golf Club remodel, which cost each of its members $18,000.

Before the renovation, the old clubhouse was not large enough to compete with new venues in the area.

"We expanded them to hold up to a maximum of 500 people now if you open all the doors and use all the rooms," Withee said. "That was a major deal."

They've also built the new Malaga Bank, homes on the back side of the hill by the former Marineland, and several residential projects up on the hill.

Their latest project is low income senior housing they built as a result of the city having to meet a quota in terms of their affordable housing numbers. Residents feared the affordable housing would lower their own property values, but Withee said the building is mostly likely nicer now than most of the surrounding homes.

"These are working people, but they just aren’t highly paid," Withee said.

Withee spends his leisure time on the board of directors of the Palos Verdes Breakfast Club.

"It’s an excuse for guys to get together," he laughed, "We tell jokes, have skits, music programs and speakers on all topics."

Withee is also on a public private council for the Urban Land Institute, a group involved in helping cities become more sustainable.

"It’s one of my big things," he said.