A2MODERN MAP: a biking/walking tour of residential modern by Mid-Century masters

A2MODERN MAP: a biking/walking tour of residential modern by Mid-Century masters

A2MODERN MAP: a biking/walking tour of residential modern by Mid-Century masters

Thanks to a very generous donation by Carolyn Lepard, Reinhart Realtors, a2modern was able to reprint the A2Modern Map which highlights a selection of 86 residential projects in the Ann Arbor Hills/Arboretum/Geddes area. This is the second printing of the a2 map. Carolyn also sponsored the first printing of the map. If you don’t have a copy of the map yet, we will have plenty of copies on hand to give away at all of our Modern Living program tours in 2014. We are also hoping to have an online version in the future.

Three Michigan Architects: Part 1—David W. Osler

December 21, 2013–March 30, 2014

David Osler’s domestic, institutional, commercial, and civic buildings represent some of the most distinctive and recognizable modern architecture in Michigan, predominantly in Washtenaw County. Born in 1921, Osler is an Ann Arbor native and graduated from the University of Michigan College of Architecture and Design in 1943. Returning to Ann Arbor after World War II, he worked in the architecture office of Douglas D. Loree, Architect, and in 1958 opened his own practice. While his earlier work was mostly residential, each decade saw Osler’s firm receive larger commissions until he retired in 2008. However, throughout his career Osler continually received commissions to design modern houses that reflected his minimalist sensibilities.

This exhibition presents eight domestic projects that span his five-decade-long career from 1958–2008, highlighting a minimal design aesthetic that features crisp, clean, impeccably composed geometric lines and forms. Each project exemplifies Osler’s modern mid-century architectural vocabulary, as he designed houses that physically and visually embrace their natural settings.

Three Michigan Architects: Part 1–Osler is the first in a series of three consecutive exhibitions, with subsequent presentations of domestic work by Robert Metcalf (April 5–July 13) and George Brigham (July 9–October 13). The series will culminate in Fall 2014 with a symposium, as well as the publication of Three Michigan Architects: Osler, Metcalf, and Brigham—both of which will explore the importance of this circle of Ann Arbor-based architects, situating their regional body of domestic work into the larger context of modern architecture in the U.S. that developed on the East Coast and West Coast from the 1930s–1980s.

This exhibition is part of the U-M Collections Collaborations series, which showcases the renowned and diverse collections of the University of Michigan. This series inaugurates UMMA’s collaboration with the Bentley Historical Library, and is generously supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Lead support for Three Michigan Architects is provided by the University of Michigan Office of the Vice President for Research.
Image citation: David Osler, architect, William Mundus residence (1978), Bentley Historical Library.

Note from a2modern
a2modern is very excited about the upcoming three exhibits that will be held at the University of Michigan’s Museum of Art starting this December 21, 2013. During each of the three exhibits, a2modern will be hosting an interior view and tour of one of the architect’s residential projects in Ann Arbor. These events will be part of our ongoing Modern Living Series. Stay tuned for more details of the Osler tour which will be in January!

Eastern Michigan Historic Preservation Class

Eastern Michigan Historic Preservation Class

This fall, a2modern partnered with Professor Ted Ligibel’s Historic Preservation class for the third time to suggest properties for further study. The assignment for the students is to research the property back to the original deed. For a2modern, this supports our mission to promote the awareness of modern architecture and design as we learn more about the built enviroment. This year, the properities selected are concentrate in the north side of Ann Arbor. All are welcome to attend the final presentations for the class. The presentations will be held in the Whiting room, Bentley Historical Library (1150 Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor) on:

December 12th 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
December 19th 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

JOIN US!

Detroit Art Deco Society: The Big Crush!

Detroit’s BIG CRUSH!

The Detroit Area Art Deco Society will be hosting it’s third annual Wine Stroll with the theme of Art, Architecture and Great Wines at variety of Detroit restaurants and historic venues.

Saturday, October 26th
1:00 p.m. -5 :00 p.m.

The wine stroll will provide attendees several architecturally significant buildings, art and select wines paired with a food tasting from each unique venue. Venues include

Firebird Tavern

Advanced tickets are $35.00 and available for purchase here.

"The Influence of Frank Lloyd Wright on Modern Day Life and Architecture," Domino's Farms 11/7

When: Thursday November 7th
Where: Domino’s Farms
Panelists: Margo Stipe, Robert Fishman, Dale Allen Gyure, Tom Monaghan
See press release for further details!

People of Palmer Park Architectural Tour October 5th

Palmer Park Architectural Tour,
Saturday, October 5, 11 am – 3 pm

Explore first-hand the architectural grandeur of the historic Palmer Park apartment district on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5. Witness the progression of this unique enclave’s dramatic revitalization on this annual guided walking tour.

Tours leave Detroit Unity Temple in Palmer Park (17505 2nd Avenue Detroit, MI 48203) every 15 minutes from 11AM to 3PM. Parking will be available near check-in. Proceeds will benefit the restoration of Palmer Park, a 296 acre city park located in northwest Detroit between McNichols and Seven Mile Road, and just west of Woodward Avenue.

People for Palmer Park’s guided walking tour will lead you through an area that showcases some of Detroit’s best architects at different stages of their careers and their interpretations of differing popular styles. You will find the only authenticated work of some architects in this district. Built between 1924 and 1964, the apartment buildings reflect exotic architecture in the Egyptian, Spanish, Venetian, Moorish, Tudor, Mediterranean, Art Moderne, and Georgian styles.Few neighborhoods boast this kind of magnificent diversity. This annual tour shares the undergoing dramatic revitalization of this area with newly renovated buildings being added to the tour each year.
This year’s tour-goers will experience structures built in the 20s, 40s, 50s, and 60s. Seven building interiors are included on the tour, including the newly renovated Palmer Lodge lobby. Our docents are encouraged to dress in period clothing reflecting the building’s era.

The park’s 1880’s Log Cabin, the only surviving log cabin in city, will be open for the tour. Before or after your tour visit the 1880s Log Cabin in Palmer Park, and enjoy Segway tours of the historic trails on a first-come, first-served basis from noon to 3PM (for tour-goers only) experience a Segway tour of the historic trails, enjoy some live music and a sampling of classic cars, and partake of some delicious local food by Food Lab vendors.

At the Cabin:
Noon – 5 PM: Tour the Log Cabin
Delicious local food from Food Lab by the Cabin
1 – 3 PM: Live music from Behind the Times
Noon – 3 PM by Cabin: Ride on Segways
Noon – 4 PM: Classic Cars on Display
BUY ADVANCED TOUR TICKETS to secure your departure time – $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Tour booklet is included in the ticket price, as well as a ticket to ride the Segway in Palmer Park.

Yamasaki Legacy Lecture Series: Design at Herman Miller

Yamasaki Legacy Lecture Series : Design at Herman Miller

Thursday, October 17, 2013
7:00 – 8:00pm
DeRoy Auditorium
5203 Cass Ave.
Detroit, MI 48202

Featured Speaker:
Sam Grawe
Editorial Director, Herman Miller

Design at Herman Miller is many things. It is a means of asking questions and seeking answers. It is a process that touches all aspects of what Herman Miller does-from research, to production, to sales. It is a driving force for positive change. It is a point of differentiation from our competitors. It is a spirit of collaboration. It is, perhaps most importantly, Herman Miller’s point of connection to the world in which we live and the customers we serve. This is the story of how did a small and unremarkable West Michigan furniture producer became a world leader in design.

Sam Grawe began his role as editorial director at Herman Miller in 2012. He served as the editor-in-chief of Dwell magazine from 2006-2011. While at Dwell, he was part of the team that garnered a National Magazine Award in 2005, and in 2009 was a finalist in the National Design Awards. He began at Dwell shortly after its launch in 2000, after working in the studio of Herman Miller designer Bruce Burdick.

The Yamasaki Legacy project enhances and facilitates scholarship, public interest and restoration of the architectural heritage at Wayne State University that Minoru Yamasaki and his buildings have created. These buildings include the McGregor Memorial Conference Center, the Education Building, the Meyer and Anna Prentis Building, and the Helen L. DeRoy Auditorium.

There is no admission for this lecture, but registration is required.
CLICK HERE to register for this event.

Midland: Autumn Reflections Tour 2013 October 5 + 6

Midland: Light From Above-Midland's Houses of Faith Tour October 19th