University of Pennsylvania. School of Design.

Warren Powers Laird was born to Mathew James and Lydia Powers Laird on August 8, 1861 in Winona, Minnesota. He was educated at the Winona State Normal School and Cornell University. After attending Cornell, Laird studied with architects in several cities including Boston and New York. In 1887, he returned to Cornell to teach before going to Paris to study.

Due to an increase in architectural practice in Philadelphia and the growing need for trained architects, the president of the local American Institute of Architects chapter, Theophilus P. Chandler Jr., successfully encouraged the University of Pennsylvania to create a School of Architecture. On October 7, 1890, the School of Architecture opened within the Towne Scientific School. Chandler acted as Chairman of the School of Architecture for the first year of its existence. He took this position on a temporary basis and sought out Laird, who was in Paris at the time, to take over as head of the School. Laird agreed and arrived at Penn at the age of 29. He served first as Instructor of Architecture beginning on December 31, 1890 and then became head of the School when Chandler stepped down in June 1891.

At the start of Lairds career at Penn, the School of Architecture was a fledgling enterprise. The School lacked many things, including proper equipment, financial support, teachers, students and many upper-level courses. Laird had to develop the School into a modern and competitive place. In the first years of his tenure, Laird changed the B.S. degree to B.S. in Architecture; he raised the entrance requirement standards; he started a 3-year Interior Decoration course and a 2-year course for draftsmen.

When the School was first opened, the curriculum focused on professional practice, which Laird changed to a Beaux Arts model of design-based instruction. Laird further raised the stature of the School by encouraging students to enter design competitions sponsored locally, nationally and internationally. In 1897, the School established the John Stewardson Memorial Scholarship in Architecture that awarded a $1,000 scholarship to one student for one year of travel and study in Europe. Students at the School also won prizes awarded by institutions such as the American Academy in Rome and the Society of Beaux Arts.

Laird increased popularity and support of architecture at Penn by bringing in well-known, talented professors. In 1894-95, Laird brought in Edgar V. Seeler who had been studying at the École des Beaux Arts in Paris. Seelers training in the Beaux Arts method set the standard for the Schools design program. Seeler left for private practice after three years. In 1903, Laird brought in Paul Phillipe Cret, an architect from Lyon, France who attended the École des Beaux Arts-Lyon and won the Paris Prize there, then was recognized as the best student in his class at the École des Beaux Arts-Paris.

Cret continued the Beaux Arts design tradition at Penn. His stature as an excellent designer and a respected professor increased enrollment and funding for the School. As the student body grew, Laird added a graduate year with a M.S. in Architecture and a 2 year professional course for draftsmen. In 1920, Cret returned from World War I service abroad and suggested that Penn form a School of Fine Arts that would model a French academic style that placed together the study of Architecture, Music and Fine Arts.

The School of Fine Arts was dedicated on April 4, 1921, independent of the Towne Scientific School, with its own Dean and faculty. Located in "Old Dental Hall" on Penns campus, the School included the Departments of Architecture, Music, Fine Arts and beginning in 1924, a Department of Landscape Architecture. Laird became Dean of the School. He had supervision over chairmen who were named for each of the Schools four departments. After creating the new School, enrollment soared to the point that it was limited 350 people. Laird served as Dean of the School of Fine Arts until he retired in June of 1932.

We can remember Laird for his roll of bringing the School of Architecture from a small program in its infancy to a thriving program that drew talented, award-winning students from around the world. In addition to his academic duties, Laird worked on significant professional projects. He became well-known nationally for his consultation on architectural building projects. Some of his projects included the Delaware River Bridge, Girard College Chapel, and numerous court houses. As a mark of peoples regard for his professionalism, Laird was elected as a delegate to the Third Pan-American Congress of Architects in Buenos Aires in 1927. He was a member of many professional organizations including being a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, Tau Sigma Delta, Tri-State Regional Planning Federation of Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania State Art Commission. During his tenure at Penn, Laird was recognized for his leadership and accomplishments. In 1911, the Trustees awarded him and honorary Sc. D. and in 1932, they awarded him a second honorary degree, an LL. D. Laird died on February 18, 1948 in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.

From the description of Warren Powers Laird administration Records, 1900-1932. (University of Pennsylvania). WorldCat record id: 145429371