Voorhees interest in architecture and his unique creative abilities began to manifest in his childhood.  His passion for creating places that can have a positive impact on society comes naturally.  To understand this, one only needs to look at his unique lineage as a fourth-generation St. Louis architect.    

 

His great grandfather William B. Ittner, FAIA (1864-1936) was a prominent St. Louis architect who revolutionized public school design in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.  Ittner became the Commissioner of St. Louis Schools and began designing buildings that were visually inspiring, emotionally uplifting and environmentally healthy and safe.  Ittner’s humanistic design approach to the new St. Louis school buildings quickly gained national notoriety leading him to the commission of over 500 schools throughout the US.  Wm B Ittner has been described as the most influential man in school architecture in the US.  His design legacy stems from challenging the status quo and designing buildings that featured natural lighting throughout, inviting exteriors, inspiring interior spaces, and classrooms tailored to specific needs.  Without realizing it until years later, these attributes became the foundation for Voorhees work.  

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Growing up, Reed was very close to his grandfather, William B. Ittner, Jr, who also left his mark while continuing to run the ‘Ittner’ office established by Wm B Ittner Sr.  In addition to extending the legacy of schoolwork, Wm B Ittner Jr. moved to Washington DC during World War II to serve as Assistant Chief Architect for the iconic Pentagon (War) building project in Arlington, Virginia.  

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Voorhees’ uncle, the late H. Curtis Ittner, FAIA worked in the family firm before starting his own practice with another member of the office, Bill Bowersox (Ittner & Bowersox, Inc.).  Curt received the St. Louis Chapter of the American institute of Architects Gold Honor award for lifetime achievement.  Reed worked for Ittner & Bowersox from 1986 thru 1989.