Louis de Moll

The Space Sciences Building of Cornell University, designed by Ballinger under de Moll's supervision and completed in 1968. Louis de Moll (19 August 1924 – 15 October 2013) was an American architect active in Philadelphia from 1955 to 1986. He spent his entire career with the Ballinger Company and was president of the American Institute of Architects for the year 1976 and of the International Union of Architects for 1978–81.

Life and career Louis de Moll was born August 19, 1924, in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania to Carl de Moll, an architect for the Ballinger Company, and Mary (Hitchner) de Moll. He was educated at the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1949 with a BArch. During World War II he served in the United States Army. After graduation he joined Ballinger, where his father was now a partner. In 1955, he joined the partnership, which by then also included his brother, John D. de Moll. De Moll served as partner in charge of design and in 1965 he was appointed vice president of operations. In the same year, his brother became president. He became chair of the board of directors in 1974 and CEO in 1984.

As partner in charge of design de Moll led the design of many major Ballinger projects, including the former Embassy of the United States in Kabul, buildings for the University of Pennsylvania and several corporate headquarters. In 1986 the de Moll brothers retired. They owned the majority of the company and were bought out by a group of employees led by Frank J. Butler, director of project management, Gustafson, director of design and Frank C. Guzzi, director of marketing.

De Moll joined the American Institute of Architects in 1955 as a member of the Philadelphia chapter. In 1964–65 he chaired a chapter task force aimed at expanding the chapter's programs within the Philadelphia community and served as chapter president for 1967–68. He was elected a fellow in 1966. He then served on several national committees and was elected vice president in 1972 and 1973. In 1974, he was elected first vice president/president elect for 1975 and president for 1976. As president de Moll focused on controlling costs in the aftermath of the 1973–1975 recession.

Architectural works Projects completed by the Ballinger Company during de Moll's period as partner in charge of design include:

Ocean City Tabernacle, 550 Wesley Ave, Ocean City, New Jersey (1958) Embassy of the United States (former), Great Massoud Rd, Kabul, Afghanistan (1967) William J. Hughes Technical Center, Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey (1980)