Events

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

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.

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!

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: wednesday june 22, 2011 6:30
cost: $10 donation to a2modern for future programming, $8 students

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!

lecture: Minoru Yamasaki's Search for Fusion: Tranquility and Delight

Minoru Yamasaki


Minoru Yamasaki’s Search for Fusion: Tranquility and Delight

When: Wednesday, May 25th
Where: Helen L. DeRoy Auditorium, Wayne State University, Detroit
5203 Cass Avenue
Time: 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Lecture Description:
Henry Guthard is a founding member of the Yamasaki firm with experience gained in four decades as design engineer, Director of Engineering and Director of Projects Management. Appointed by Yamasaki to serve as business manager of the New York World Trade Center project he specializes in the graceful blending of structural, mechanical and electrical engineering systems into the architectural concepts of Yamasaki buildings worldwide.

Mr. Guthard’s presentation will reflect upon the extraordinary character of Architect Minoru Yamasaki and his unending struggle to develop a new American esthetic; the influences which affected his designs; his triumphs and heartbreaks; his brilliant works at Wayne State University and his ultimate rise to rank among the world’s most celebrated Twentieth Century modernists.

For additional information and contact see: http://events.wayne.edu/2011/05/25/yamasaki-lecture-minoru-yamasaki-s-search-for-fusion-tranquility-and-deligh-32481/

a2modern spring 2011 event

a2modern spring 2011 event | March 13th, 1:00 at the Bentley Historical Library

Muschenheim House, rendering, William Muschenheim collection, Bentley Historical Library

a2modern is a volunteer group of homeowners and enthusiasts interested in promoting the appreciation and awareness of ann arbor modern. a2modern, formed in 2010 aims to hold two to three events a year. The goal of a2modern is to share information on the wealth of modern design and history in ann arbor. The March 13th event will highlight the rich architectural holdings in modernism at the Bentley Historical Library.

Speakers at this event are: Nancy Bartlett, head of University Archives and author of “More than a Handsome Box: Education in Architecture at the University of Michigan, 1876-1986.” Nancy will speak on the history of the College of Architecture + Urban Planning at mid-century and how that history helped form the built environment we see today in Ann Arbor. Nancy Deromedi, associate archivist, will “show and tell” some of the modern architectural holdings at the Bentley Library and Anthony Timek, researcher, will provide an overview of his research on Eero Saarinen’s North Campus plan for the University of Michigan.

School of Music, News and Information Services, Bentley Historical Library

 

Please join us!

The Bentley Historical Library is located at:
1150 Beal Avenue
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
*there is parking next to the building.