John Pflueger has been practicing architecture in California, across the United States and internationally since the 1960’s. At that time, part of the firm was under the direction of his father, Milton Pflueger, and was fully engaged in hospital work - culminating with completion of the new Walter Reed General Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland. All other work in the office was under the direction of John Pflueger and encompassed private, institutional, and university projects under an energy conservation mandate. This mandate was initiated in the early 1970’s, when John Pflueger directed the firm to consider not only function, aesthetics, and cost in the design of the firm's projects, but also to commit each project to the conservation of energy. Many large institutional structures were designed to operate with a minimal amount of energy, and to provide as much energy as possible by alternative, active and passive, and other renewable systems - before ever resorting to non-renewable sources. The firm remains a forerunner in this regard, and has been the recipient of many energy conservation and design awards. Renewable systems such as sun shading, light shelves, building orientation, hot and cold water storage, gray water usage, and waste heat recapture are many of the systems that have been employed by the firm for decades.

In 1980 the firm relocated to James Lick Bathouse on 10th Street, which the office fully restored, remodeled, and seismically upgraded. In keeping with this spirit of innovation continually embraced by the firm, this was one of the first professional offices to move out of downtown and into the now highly sought after South of Market (SOMA) District in San Francisco. In 1994 the firm relocated to Sonoma Valley to pursue more historical rehabilitation projects, winery and hospitality design, as well as large custom home and private estate master planning. John has continued to evolve his innovative design by incorporating his energy conservation philosophy into all types of structures, while integrating the principals of ancient cultures and their sacred sites into contemporary architecture. One, early culmination of this design is his Self-Sufficient Village concept: the “Village” is self-sustaining and provides livelihood, food, materials for shelter, and a sense of purpose for all who live or work there. This concept is truly a precursor to the new “net-zero” communities still only being discussed today. John continues to apply these principals to master plans, resort, recreational, commercial and residential projects. He is personally involved in every facet of each project, with the client from inception to completion -- this has always been a hallmark of the firm.