John Lane Evans was born in Philadelphia and graduated from West Philadelphia High School. He was trained at the University of Pennsylvania, earning a B. Arch. in 1924 and completing his M. Arch. the following year. Evans was made a teaching assistant in design while still an undergraduate. He was awarded the AIA's student medal and the Arthur Spayd Brooke gold medal in 1924, and the John Stewardson traveling scholarship in 1925. Evans began his professional career working in the office of Paul Cret before completing his degree, and continued after his graduation. He established his own office in 1934, working as the principal architect for developer Dr. George Woodward in Chestnut Hill in exchange for rent during the lean years of the Depression. He suspended his practice in 1942 for active duty in World War II, serving as an intelligence officer in the Naval Air Force in Pearl Harbor. After the war, Evans returned to Philadelphia. In 1946 and 1947 he was associated with Sydney E. Martin, and then worked for Harbeson, Hough, Livingston & Larson for two years. In 1949, Evans resumed an independent practice. Several large projects for the City of Philadelphia in the 1950s preceded his appointment as city architect in April 1961. Evans remained in that position until 1975, supervising the design of municipal buildings throughout this period.
From the description of John Lane Evans architectural records, 1920-1982. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 63578827
