Born: 1/17/1891, Died: 1980

Sigmund J. Laschenski was born in Philadelphia to Lauretta and Joseph Laschenski. His early education came from parochial schools in Philadelphia, and he received his B.S. in Architecture in 1922 from the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to receiving his degree, however, Laschenski had already had extensive office experience with firms in Philadelphia, including three years as a draftsman for John T. Windrim, five years with Horace Trumbauer, and three years as chief draftsman for F. Ferdinand Durang. This last experience prepared him for the many Catholic schools and church buildings which he would design on his own after 1922. From 1922 until 1947/48 Laschenski was in individual practice; from 1947 to 1955 he worked as head of the architectural department for the Ballinger Co., and later was an associate with Paul P. Kopf. Laschenski joined the AIA in 1926 and achieved emeritus status in 1967. He was also a member of the Philadelphia Chapter of the AIA and of the T-Square Club, for whom he taught architectural design in its atelier from 1924 to 1927, a pursuit which he also taught at the University of Pennsylvania from 1922 to 1926. According to Laschenski's membership application for the Philadelphia Chapter, AIA, he received a silver medal from the Society of French Architects; and although that award has not been documented, he did win the second prize for the Walter Cope Memorial Prize in 1920.

Written by Sandra L. Tatman.