Norman Mansell was born in Philadelphia and trained at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Architecture (Arthur Spayd Brooke Prize, Faculty Medal, honors 1926). While still a student, he began working in the office of Richard Erskine and rose to be a partner before he left in 1938 to establish an independent practice. In 1955, Frank McGettigan and Edwin L. Fugate 3rd were made named partners (Mansell, McGettigan & Fugate), and full partners in 1959. Wolfgang Rapp, who had been with the firm since 1954, was also named a partner in 1959. Rapp left to practice independently in 1961. Richard A. Lewis replaced McGettigan as a named partner in 1968 (Mansell, Lewis & Fugate).
Mansell specialized in institutional, and particularly in ecclesiastical projects. Between 1945 and 1955 he produced a series of church designs for the Board of American Missions of the United Lutheran Church in America, and from the 1940s through the 1960s he designed churches for Lutheran congregations throughout the United States. He served as director and president for the Guild for Religious Architecture and was awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Fine Arts at Lutheran-affiliated Wittenberg University, Springfield, Ohio, whose chapel Mansell designed in 1956. Mansell was among the leaders of the Philadelphia Chapter of the AIA in the 1960s, serving on the board of directors and as president in 1966. He was also a director of the Pennsylvania Society of Architects between 1968 and 1970. His interests outside of the profession included gem cutting, jewelry making, painting, and poetry.
From the description of T. Norman Mansell architectural records and personal papers, 1922-1968. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 63662091
