Author: modernist

Field Trip: alden dow home + studio

Join a2modern for visit to the Alden B. Dow Home and Studio
November 5, 2011

11:00 am -12:30 pm Tour the Alden B Dow Home and Studio 315 Post Street, Midland, MI

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Box Lunch

2:15 pm – 3:15 pm Special group tour of Herman Miller Furniture Exhibit at the Midland Center for the Arts

3:15 pm – 4:15 pm Individual time to explore the exhibit

4:30 pm – depart

Reservation taken until October 1, 2011
Costs per person = $55.00 paid in advance of the tour. Contact tracy@a2modern.org for more information.

Growing Up Modern

Island Park Shelter, Robert C. Metcalf, architect (1962)


Bentley Historical Library and a2modern present: Growing Up Modern
When: October 9, 2011 4:00 p.m.

Program
Mid-century Michigan enjoyed both a baby boom and a building boom. New homes for modern families distinguished Ann Arbor, among other places, where architects designed entire neighborhoods of distinctive, modernist residences. Thanks to the generosity of several of those prominent architects, many of the homes are now documented through a rich collection of original architectural drawings and photographs at the University of Michigan’s Bentley Historical Library. Come join us for a fun and informative afternoon featuring Ann Arbor native Peter Osler (Director of the Program of Landscape Architecture at Illinois Institute of Technology) as he recalls “Growing Up Modern.” The program includes a panel discussion and viewing of original architectural archives.

Location:
Bentley Historical Library
University of Michigan
1150 Beal Avenue
Ann Arbor, Michigan

Contacts:
a2modern contact: Nancy Deromedi nancy@a2modern.org (734.255.3959) and Tracy Aris tracy@a2modern.org (734.277.5722)

Bentley Historical Library contacts: Nancy Bartlett (nbart@umich.edu) and Nancy Deromedi (deromedi@umich.edu) phone: 734.764.3482

Image: Island Park Shelter, Robert C. Metcalf, architect (1962). Original rendering by Gordy Rogers. Image of original courtesy of Amanda Murray, Wicked Delicate Films.

fall: upcoming events

Willcox House, courtesy of Amanda Murray


There are several upcoming a2modern events that we want everyone to know about. Mark your calendars and continue to check back for new details!

8.30: summer series walking tour: regent drive. 6:30 This tour is now full. Please let Tracy Aris (tracy@a2modern.org) know if you would like to be put on the waiting list for next spring.

9.12-13: National Preservation Institute: Modernism Identification and Evaluation Seminar, Ann Arbor, for more details see: http://www.npi.org/sem-20th.html

9.12: Ann Arbor Hills walking tour. There are spaces available for this tour. $10 adult, $8 student. Contact Tracy Aris to be put on the list!

10.8-9: we are doing two events this weekend!
• Self-guided tour of Ann Arbor Hills residential structures (location for map pick-up to be announced)

• “Growing Up Modern” Bentley Library Friends event in partnership with a2modern. Location: Bentley Historical Library, 1150 Beal Ave., Ann Arbor. Time: 4:00. Peter Osler and others will reflect on growing up modern in Ann Arbor. Architectural drawings from the modern period will be on display for viewing. Mark your calendar now!

This is weekend is docomomo’s (International working party for the documentation and conservation of buildings, sites, and neighborhoods of the modern movement) tour day weekend. a2modern was asked to participate in this important weekend– see: http://www.docomomo-us.org/tour_day_2011 for more information on what is happening across the nation on tour day 2011.

11.5: road trip to the Alden B. Dow House + Studio. This trip will include an extensive tour of Dow’s house, studio and archives and a tour of the exhibit “Good Design: Stories from Herman Miller” that will be on display this fall at the Midland Center for the Arts.

Cost for the trip $55/person which includes a box lunch. Let Nancy Deromedi at nancy@a2modern.org or Tracy Aris at tracy@a2modern.org know if you are interested in attending. RSVP deadline October 1.
We also need volunteers to be drivers to the Dow House—please let us know if you can drive a group to Midland!

questions about a2modern?
See our website at www.a2modern.org , email Nancy Deromedi at nancy@a2modern.org 734.255.3959 or Tracy Aris at tracy@a2modern.org 734.277.5722

summer series: walking tour

Dr.and Mrs. Joseph Morris house by Alden B. Dow

a2modern: summer 2011

what: a2modern walking tour
where: mid-century architecture on Regent Drive
when: Tuesday, August 30, 2011 6:30 pm
duration: One hour
cost: $10 donation to a2modern for future programming, $8 students

join us for a new walking tour of another pocket of mid-century architecture in Ann Arbor!

learn who designed what and for who from a period of 1963 – 1968

architects featured include Alden Dow, Robert Metcalf and David Osler.

this tour will be an exterior housewalk with one brief interior viewing opportunity.

Space is limited although you can place your name on a waiting list for the next tour which will be in the Spring of 2012.

please rsvp to Tracy Aris at tracy@a2modern.org

details on meeting place will follow with rsvp confirmation!

question about a2modern?
contact Nancy Deromedi (nancy@a2modern.org) or Tracy Aris (tracy@a2modern.org) or check out www.a2modern.org

Seminar: National Preservation Institute, Ann Arbor

The National Preservation Institute, a nonprofit organization founded in 1980, educates those involved in the management, preservation, and stewardship of our cultural heritage. The 2011-2012 National Preservation Institute seminar schedule is available online at www.npi.org.

Advance registration rate available through August 1, 2011

This year’s seminar: Identification and Evaluation of Mid-20th-Century Buildings
Place: Ann Arbor, MI
Date: September 12-13, 2011
in cooperation with the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office

Discuss how post-World War II structures fit into today’s and tomorrow’s historic preservation patterns. With an emphasis on the 1950’s and 1960’s, examine era-specific factors that help to identify and evaluate post-war buildings in terms of their significance for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, with consideration of Section 106, Section 110, and Section 4(f) issues. An agenda is available online at www.npi.org.

Instructors. James C. Massey, architectural historian and planner, former HABS chief, contributing editor to Old-House Journal, and historic preservation consultant with a particular interest in the mid-20th century and Shirley Maxwell, historian, historic preservation consultant, contributing editor to Old-House Journal, and co-author of House Styles in America and other publications

AIA/CES. This seminar meets the criteria for programs in the American Institute of Architects Continuing Education System and AIA members will receive 6 learning units each day.

Registration. A registration form is available online at www.npi.org/register.html. The advance registration rate is available through August 1 for $450 (2 days). The regular registration rate after that date is $500.

Questions? Please contact us. Thank you.

Jere Gibber
Executive Director
National Preservation Institute
P.O. Box 1702, Alexandria, VA 22313
703/765-0100; 703/768-9350 fax
info@npi.org; www.npi.org

modern on the market: 8.4.11

Robert C. Metcalf Collection, Bentley Historical Library

a2modern event: modern on the market
when: thursday 8.4.11
where: 830 avon road
time: 5:30 to 7:30 (note time change from earlier announcement!)
property: Dr. and Mrs. Richard Crane House, designed 1954 by Robert C. Metcalf
sponsored by: Bob Eckstein, Surovell Real Estate.

Please join us for a modern on the market mixer. The Crane house, Robert Metcalf’s first commission, is for sale. Come tour this significant house and socialize with other mcm enthusiasts.

Significance:
The architect of this home, Robert C. Metcalf, is one of the leaders in architectural modernism in southeast Michigan. The Crane house was Bob’s first commission after apprenticing under George B. Brigham from 1948 to 1952. At the same time he was designing the Crane house, Bob and his wife Bettie were building their own home.
Bob would go on to design over 40 residential structures in Ann Arbor for prominent business, research scientists and academic leaders in the Ann Arbor and SE Michigan.

The original homeowner, Dr. Richard H. Crane, was a distinguished experimental physicist of the 20th century. Dr. Crane’s early work on nuclear physics and the physics of accelerators culminated in the invention of the race track synchrotron, a design emulated by almost every particle accelerator since 1950. His pioneering measurements on the gyro- magnetic ratio of the free electron are a cornerstone of quantum electrodynamics.
During WWII, Dr. Crane worked as a research associate on radar at MIT and a physicist on the proximity fuse at the Carnegie Institution of Washington. He served as the director of proximity fuse research at U-M and as director of the atomic research project for the Manhattan District.

This event is an a2modern–a homeowners and friends organization interested in raising the awareness and appreciation of mid-century architecture and design. Contact modernists@a2modern.org for more information.

art fair event: vision 20×20

VISION
20×20
Emerging Design for a New Century
an informal, rapid-fire presentation event featuring
Nawal Motawi, tile designer Beth Diamond, landscape architect Frank Arvan, architect & exhibit designer Mashawnta Armstrong, designer & publisher Chris Bidlack, graphic designer Brienne Willcock, interior designer Steven Mankouche, architect Alex Porbe, metalwork Paul Sizer, graphic designer Paul Dannels, structural engineer Kirk Westphal, urban planner
opening music by Dixon’s Violin at 7:30
thursday,
july 21
8:00 pm
presented by
Center for Emerging Professional Resources
Research

Annex
305 W. liberty | 2 blocks west of main at 1st
doors open at 7:30 | refreshments available walking, biking or bus riding encouraged
about AIA mi cepr
pre-register at AIAHV.com or buy your ticket at the door

ticket cost $10

event: an evening at Frank Lloyd Wright's Turkel House

The Detroit Area Art Deco Society Invites You To…

An Evening at The Turkel House

Visit Detroit’s only Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home –
The Turkel House

Join us for an evening of architecture, music and design.

Enjoy a lovely selection of hors d’oeuvres, hand-selected wines, beverages, and a silent auction.

The Wendell Harrison Swing Trio is ready to set the tone of this
special evening for our members.
_______

Saturday, July 23rd
7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
2760 West Seven Mile Road, Detroit
Valet parking included.
_______

Tickets must be purchased in advance. There are a limited number of tickets available due to the home’s capacity. Tickets are first come, first served.
_______

Tickets are available here: Tickets

$100 – Detroit Area Art Deco Society Member Ticket

$125 – Join & Go Ticket – this includes an individual membership to DAADS
at a discounted rate (one time offer)

$150 – Champagne and tour with homeowners Norm Silk and Dale Morgan.
Tour begins at 6:00 P.M.
Proceeds from this event benefit the Detroit Area Art Deco Society’s
scholarship program and local preservation efforts.
The Detroit Area Art Deco Society is a Michigan not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) organization.

summer series: walking tour

Walking Tour

a2modern: summer 2011

what: a2modern walking tour

where: tour will highlight fabulous mid-century architecture in Ann Arbor Hills

when: thursday, july 28, 2011 6:30
wednesday, august 10, 6:30* (new date added!)

cost: $10 donation to a2modern for future programming, $8 students

note: due to the high response to the walking tour held june 22, we are offering this tour again!

join us for a walking tour of one of the cool concentrated pockets of mid-century architecture in Ann Arbor Hills.

learn who designed what and for who circa 1950-1960

architects featured include Robert Metcalf, George Brigham, William Muschenheim, Herb Johe, Edward Olencki and David Osler.

this tour will be an exterior housewalk and is limited to 20 persons.

please rsvp to Tracy Aris tracy@a2modern.org.

details on meeting place will follow with rsvp confirmation!

tour: frank lloyd wright in detroit

One of the goals of a2modern is to support and promote the activities throughout s.e. michigan. This event is not an a2modern event, but, we thought that many in the group would be interested!
Destination Detroit

Saturday, August 13, 2011
3:30-10:00pm

Join the Conservancy for a Usonian trilogy in the Motor City featuring three houses with similar plans but dramatically different relationships to the surrounding environment.
Sited in a wooded natural amphitheater, participants will enter the Gregor and Elizabeth Affleck House (1941) at grade and peer out the cantilevered living area at a stream bed below. The Melvin Maxwell and Sara Stein Smith House (1946) presents a more serene lakefront lot while the Dorothy Turkel House (1955), Frank Lloyd Wright’s only realized two-story Usonian Automatic, is sited on a large urban lot.

The Turkel House will also host an evening wine and hors d’oeuvres reception, allowing participants to tour the house and grounds at their leisure.
Bus transportation will be provided to take participants between all three locations. The bus will depart and return to the Radisson Hotel Detroit-Bloomfield Hills (39475 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, MI, 48304). Make a reservation online or call 1.800.395.7046. Mention or use code FLW to receive the Conservancy’s $89/night rate.
Registration is $150 for Conservancy members and $185 for non-members.

Registration and further information see: http://savewright.org/index.php?t=news_focus&story_id=62

FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT BUILDING CONSERVANCY

53 West Jackson Boulevard, Suite 1120 | Chicago, IL, 60604
phone 312.663.5500 | fax 312.663.5505 | www.savewright.org