Background
Rapson, Ralph was born on September 13, 1914 in Alma, Michigan, United States. Son of Frank Thomas and Mable (Nickols) Rapson.
Rapson, Ralph was born on September 13, 1914 in Alma, Michigan, United States. Son of Frank Thomas and Mable (Nickols) Rapson.
Alma (Michigan) College, University of Michigan College, of Architecture, and Cranbrook Academy, of Art.
Government, several churches and schools, commercial, industrial and residential buildings, particularly United States Embassy, Stockholm, United States Embassy, Copenhagen, United States Consulate, Le Havre, St. Peter’s Lutheran Church (Edina, Minnesota), Fargo (N.D.) Civic Center, St. Paul (Minnesota) Arts and Science Center, American Embassy, Beirut, Doctor William Shepherd House, St. Paul, Tyrone Guthrie Repertory Theatre, Minnesota (Designs also executed for Embassies at Athens, The Hague and Oslo.) Director architectural department Institute Design, Chicago, 1942-1946. Associate professor School Architecture, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1946-1954. Professor architecture, head School Architecture and Landscape Architecture, University Minnesota, Minneapolis, 1954—1984.
Founder Ralph Rapson & Associates, Inc., 1950—2008. Lecturer, honorary professor Tienjin (China) University, 1981. Consultant architect-planner University Manitoba, Canada, 1958-2008.
Architectural advisory, San Francisco Housing & Redevelopment Agency, 1986-1992. Advisory board School Architecture, University Kansas. Member Minneapolis Planning Commission, Minneapolis Housing Forum, Minneapolis Committee Urban Design.
Thomas Jefferson visiting professor University Virginia. Member Thomas Jefferson selection committee University Virginia.
Contributor articles to professional journals. Latest works include Hope Lutheran Ch, Minneapolis, 1970, Butwin residence, Mendota Heights, Minnesota, 1970, International Studies Bldg, University Chicago, 1971, Performing Arts Center, University California, Santa Cruz, 1971, Performing Arts Center, University Minnesota, Minneapolis, 1972.
Board directors Walker Art Center, Minneapolis. Fellow American Institute of Architects (Honor award). Member International Housing Forum (charter), Minnesota Society Architects.
Married Mary Dolan (deceased 2000). Children: Richard, Thomas.