Camelot’s Architect

John Carl Warnecke's memoir will be published this Fall. The Kennedys have inspired countless stories, but one remains untold: the story of Camelot’s Architect John Carl Warnecke (1919–2010). A pioneer in modern architecture and contextual design, Warnecke, at one time leading the largest architectural firm in the United States, combined his innovative vision with a magnetic charm that placed him at the heart of the Kennedy era and its intrigue.

An insider to that special time in Washington, D.C. known as the Kennedy “Camelot,” John Carl Warnecke is perhaps most frequently associated with the incredibly sensitive commission of designing JFK’s grave in Arlington National Cemetery. The story behind the simple but powerful memorial, centered around the Eternal Flame, which had to satisfy all the conflicting emotions that had been aroused by Kennedy’s idealistic presidency and his terrible death, has never been fully told. Also, until now, pretty much suppressed has been the two-year love story between the architect and the President’s widow, Jacqueline Kennedy. It blossomed secretly under tropical Hawaiian skies while Warnecke was busy finishing one of the most prestigious projects of the era, the dazzling and modern open-roofed capitol of the then brand-new U.S. state of Hawaii. 

Warnecke’s memoir charts his life from his first encounter with JFK as a senator in 1956 to his helping preserve and redesign Lafayette Square, to the magical social scene as an intimate of the president and his court, to JFK’s assassination, and then later to having a romantic relationship (and lifetime friendship) with Jackie. This is all coupled with the excitement, intrigue, and personalities that defined this monumental era in American and world history.

At times, the narrative reads like an episode of Mad Men, and at others, it offers insight into the principles of contextual design and modern architecture, at once illuminating as well as approachable by all audiences. Throughout, Warnecke's prose resonates with his authentic voice, vibrant personality, and deep love for life and the people around him.

Camelot’s Architect: The Untold Story of Jackie Kennedy, Lafayette Square, and a Secret Romance includes an introduction and afterword by Warnecke’s daughter, as well as a bibliography. A treasure trove of photographs, project drawings, and personal letters from the Warnecke Institute Archives, located on the family ranch and vineyard in Sonoma County, California, are available to illustrate and substantiate the book.