John W. Lackens

University of Minnesota - B.A. Arch '56, B.Arch '58

Harvard Graduate School of Design - M.Arch '60

What was the most important thing/skill/concept you learned at the School of Architecture?
Professionalism in all aspects of architecture such as design, implementation, personal integrity, thoroughness, and honesty.

Who made the most lasting impression (most influenced you) and why?

Ralph Rapson, Leonard Parker, James Stageberg, and fellow students for the reason noted above.

What is your favorite memory from your studio days?

The comradeship and mutual respect for fellow students and faculty members' design abilities, and friendship.

Please identify one (or more) memorable design project that you worked on while a student at the School of Architecture.

It is difficult to identify one, but the 1957 Sao Paulo Brazil International Competition entry with team members Paul Bailly, Joe Blair, John Cotton, Peter Lee, Glen Lindberg, and myself was very memorable. Although we did not win, a 1960 classmate of mine at the Harvard Graduate School of Design was on the winning team in '57 from Tokyo, Japan.

What major forces (such as individual architects, design philosophies, rendering styles, research methods, etc.) do you remember influencing you significantly as a student?

The faculty members rendering styles of Ralph Rapson, James Stageberg, and John Rauma. Classmates Tom Larson, Joe Blair, and John Cotton were all impressive to me as well. All of our instructors had their own unique qualities, although many students complained about all of them for some reason or other, which I could never understand. I respected all of them for their caring and professional attitudes. Many of them became life-long professional friends.

Cite an example (be specific) that illustrates how you used the education you received at the School of Architecture to positively impact (or better) your community, city, nation or the world.

This is really a loaded question for any graduate to answer about themselves! My response noted above in the first question relating to professionalism in all aspects of architecture certainly applies.