Joe Farrell was born in 1932 in Gastonia, North Carolina. The family relocated to Sarasota in 1947. Between 1950–1954, he attended the architecture program at the University of Florida. During this same time interval, he worked part time for architect Paul Rudolph. From 1955-1957, he served a tour of duty in the U.S. Army in Europe. From 1957–1959, he completed the architecture program at the University of Florida. He graduated with a Bachelor’s of Architecture in January, 1959.
In 1959, he worked with Carl Volmer, Sarasota. He entered into an association with architect William Rupp. This lasted for 2 years. Their projects included Farrell Commercial.Building, Caladesi National Bank, Dunedin, Florida, Uhr Residence, Sarasota, Florida, Scott Office Building Sarasota.
From 1961 to 1975, he worked as a designer and then associate in the office of Lemmon, Freeth, Haines, and Jones Honolulu. From 1975, he was the design principal in office of Hawaii Ltd. (Formerly Lemmon, Freeth, Haines, and Jones Hawaii.
1993 Joseph Farrell Architect was founded in Novato, CA