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News & Events

lecture series: Detroit Architecture Between the Wars

Before Yamasaki | Detroit Architecture Between the Wars
Tuesday, October 11, 2011 7:00–8:30 pm Helen L. DeRoy Auditorium Room 146 (1st floor)
5203 Cass Avenue Detroit, Michigan 48202

The lecture is free and open to the public; registration is requested.
To register, please visit http://events.wayne.edu/2011/10/11/wsu-yamasaki-legacy-lecture-series-35026/

Parking is available at the WSU Parking Structure #1 (corner of Cass and Palmer)
The Yamasaki Lecture Series is supported by the WSU Office of the Vice-President for Research
John Gallagher
The guest speaker for the lecture is John Gallagher. He is a veteran journalist and author whose latest book, Reimagining Detroit: Opportunities for Redefining an American City, was named by the Huffington Post as among the best social and political books of 2010. John is a native of New York City. He joined the Detroit Free Press in 1987 to cover urban and economic redevelopment efforts in Detroit and Michigan, a post which he still holds. His other books include Great Architecture of Michigan and, as co-author, AIA Detroit: The American Institute of Architects Guide to Detroit Architecture. John and his wife, Sheu-Jane, live along Detroit’s east riverfront.
This lecture looks at the transition from historical styles to mid-century modernism that took place in the 1920s and 1930s through buildings as diverse as the Detroit Yacht Club, the Fox Theatre, and the Elwood Bar & Grill that serve as examples of styles prominent during this period. These varying styles led to the emergence of a mid-century modernism in buildings like Cranbrook’s Museum and Library, which ultimately paved the way for Yamasaki’s distinct work.

See also poster for the event YamaLectureGallagher11x17

Historic Preservation Workshop: 10/8/11

Historic Preservation Workshop:
Preparing Nominations for the National Register of Historic Places
and the National Historic Landmarks Program

Saturday, October 8, 2011
10 am to 12 noon
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan
1150 Beal Avenue (for directions, see http://bentley.umich.edu/general/visiting/)

Interested in learning about the nomination process for the National Register of Historic Places and the National Historic Landmarks Program? Come to this workshop with Alexandra M. Lord, Branch Chief of the National Historic Landmarks Program of the National Park Service. Lord will explain how properties are determined to be eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NR) and for designation as a National Historic Landmark (NHL), how the programs’ criteria are applied, and how to assess the historical significance and integrity of a property. She will discuss the steps involved in researching and writing a nomination, and describe what information should be provided to State Historic Preservation Offices and the National Park Service as part of the nomination process.

This workshop is free and open to the public. Please register by sending an email to Shelly Rettell, Events and Administrative Assistant at the Eisenberg Institute for Historical Studies, University of Michigan at rrettell@umich.edu (or call 734-615-7400).

This workshop is sponsored by the Public History Initiative of the Eisenberg Institute for Historical Studies, University of Michigan; the Washtenaw County Historical Society; and the Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan.

Detroit Area Art Deco Society: wine stroll

The Detroit Area Art Deco Society will be hosting a Wine stroll at 14 Detroit venues.

October 8, noon – 4:00 p.m.

The theme is Art, Architecture and Great Wines!

The wine stroll will provide attendees several architecturally significant buildings, art and select wines paired with each unique venue.

Advanced tickets are $30.00 / $40.00 at the door

See flyer for more information: CRUSH_art_F.pdf

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

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

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.

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

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/