John Blackburn has over 32 years of experience in the practice of architecture. After graduating with a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Clemson University in 1969, he received his Master of Architecture and Urban Design degree from Washington University in St. Louis in 1972. He joined the architectural firm of Wilkes & Faulkner becoming an Associate before leaving in 1976 to start his own firm. In 1979, he joined the firm of Keyes Condon Florance Architects becoming an Associate Architect. In 1983, he founded Smith Blackburn Architects with Robert Smith, AIA and merged with Richard Stauffer Associates in 1987 to form Smith Blackburn Stauffer. In 1995, the firm incorporated and changed its name to Blackburn Architects, P.C.

Mr. Blackburn is the president and administrative principal of the firm and is responsible for overall firm management. His experience includes the management of a full range of project types and services, including programming, existing facility evaluation and master planning, new construction, adaptive reuse, and historic preservation. With 27 years of experience in the field of renovation and restoration, Mr. Blackburn has a special sensitivity for historic structures and an interest in the adaptive reuse of existing structures for new uses. Licensed in over 25 states, he has wide experience working with differing building types, building codes, and historic preservation requirements.

With 20 years experience planning and designing equestrian facilities for many areas of the country and multiple equine disciplines, Mr. Blackburn has developed a national reputation for the planning and design of equestrian facilities for private, institutional, and commercial clients.