Links & Resources

Historical resources and reference materials compiled by the State Historic Preservation Office.

Websites & Pages (Michigan)

Websites & Pages (Other)

Books

  • A Brief Overview of the Professional Accomplishments of Albert Kahn, FAIA 1869-1942. Detroit: Albert Kahn Associates.
  • Abercrombie, Stanley. George Nelson: the Design of Modern Design. Cambridge: MIT Press, 2002.
  • Ali, Maria. Beverly Shores-Century of Progress Architectural District. Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS NO. IND 64-BEVSH 10). Washington, D.C.: National Park Service, 1994.
  • Alofsin, Anthony. The Struggle for Modernism: Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and City Planning at Harvard. New York: W.W. Norton, 2002.
  • Albrecht, Donald, ed. World War II and the American Dream: How Wartime Building Changed a Nation. Cambridge: MIT Press, 1995.
  • Armi, C. Edson. The Art of American Car Design. University Park: Pennsylvania State University Press, 1988.
  • Arnold, Amy L. and Brian D. Conway. Michigan Modern: Design That Shaped America. Layton, UT: Gibbs Smith, 2016.
  • Bacon, Mardges. Le Corbusier in America: Travels in the Land of the Timid. Cambridge: MIT Press, 2001.
  • Bartlett, Nancy. More than a Handsome Box: Education in Architecture at the University of Michigan. Ann Arbor: The University of Michigan College of Architecture and Urban Planning, 1995.
  • Bailey, Scott L, ed. General Motors, the First 75 Years of Transportation. New Albany, IN: Automobile Quarterly Publications, 1983.
  • Bandes, Susan J. Mid-Michigan Modern: From Frank Lloyd Wright to Googie. East Lansing: Michigan State University Press, 2016.
  • Bayley, Stephen. Harley Earl and the Dream Machine. New York: Alfred Knopf, 1983.
  • Binder, Alan K. and Deebe Ferris, eds. General Motors in the 20th Century. Southfield, Michigan: Ward’s Communications, 2000.
  • Berry, John. Herman Miller: The Purpose of Design. New York: Rizzoli, 2009.
  • Birkerts, Gunnar. Buildings, Projects and Thoughts 1960-1985. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan, 1985.
  • Birkerts, Gunnar. Practice and Expression in Architectural Form. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1994.
  • Blaszcyzk, Regina Lee. The Color Revolution. Cambridge: The MIT Press, 2012.
  • Breuer, Marcel. Sun and Shadow: The Philosophy of an Architect. New York: Dodd, Mead & Company, 1956.
  • Brigham, George. Papers 1925-1967. Bentley Historical Library. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
  • Brooks, H. Allen. The Prairie School: Frank Lloyd Wright and His Midwest Contemporaries. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1972.
  • Bucci, Federico. Albert Kahn: Architect of Ford. New York: Princeton Architectural Press, 1993.
  • Caplan, Ralph. The Design of Herman Miller. Whitney Library of Design. New York: Whitney Library of Design, 1976.
  • Carron, Christian. Grand Rapids Furniture. The Story of America’s Furniture City. Grand Rapids, MI: Public Museum of Grand Rapids, 1998.
  • Clark, Robert Judson and Andrea P. A. Belloli. Design in America: the Cranbrook Vision, 1925-1950. New York: Abrams, in association with the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1983.
  • Clinchy, Evan. Two Saginaw Middle Schools, Saginaw Township, Michigan. Profiles of Significant Schools Series. New York City: Educational Facilities Laboratories, 1960.
  • Cody, Jeffrey. Exporting American Architecture 1870-2000. New York: Routledge, 2003.
  • Cole, Maurice F. Michigan Courthouses Old and New. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 1963.
  • Colquhon, Alan. Modern Architecture. Oxford History of Architecture, 2002.
  • Comazzi, John. Balthazar Korab: Architect of Photography. New York: Princeton Architectural Press, 2012.
  • Connely, Willard. Louis Sullivan as He Lived. New York: Horizon Press, Inc., 1960.
  • Cruikshank, Jeffrey L. and Clark Malcolm. Herman Miller, Inc. Buildings and Beliefs. Washington, DC: American Institute of Architects Press, 1994.
  • Danz, Ernest. Architecture of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill 1950-1962. New York: Monacelli Press, 1963.
  • Demetrios, Eames. An Eames Primer. New York: Universe Publishing, 2001.
  • Dominguez, Henry. Edsel: The Story of Henry Ford’s Forgotten Son. Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc., 2002.
  • Dominguez, Henry. Edsel Ford & E.T. Gregorie: The Remarkable Design Team and their Classic Fords of the 1930s and 1940s. Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc. 1999.
  • Eckert, Kathryn Bishop. The Buildings of Michigan. New York: Oxford University Press, 1993.
  • Elderfield, John. Philip Johnson and the Museum of Modern Art. New York: Abrams, 1998.
  • Feddersen, Christian T. Scandinavians in Michigan: with special reference to Detroit and environs. Limited ed. Romeo, Mich.: Feddersen, 1968.
  • Ferry, W. Hawkins. The Buildings of Detroit: a History. Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 1968.
  • Flory, J. Kelly. American Cars 1946-1959: Every Model Year by Year. Jefferson, North Carolina. MacFarland & Company. 2008.
  • Flory, J. Kelly. American Cars 1960-1972: Every Model Year by Year. Jefferson, North Carolina. MacFarland & Company. 2008.
  • Gerganoff, R. S. Architectural Work and Designs by R.S. Gerganoff, architect. Ypsilanti, Mich.: Gerganoff, 1977.
  • Grist, Peter. Virgil Exner, Visioneer: the Official Biography of Virgil M. Exner, Designer Extraordinaire. Dorchester: Veloce, 2007.
  • Hardwick, Jeffrey J. Mall Maker: Victor Greun, Architect of an American Dream. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2004.
  • Hasbrouck, Wilbert. The Chicago Architectural Club: The Prelude to Modernism. New York: Monacelli Press, 2005.
  • Heimann, Jim. 50s Cars: Vintage Auto Ads. Los Angeles: Taschen. 2003.
  • Hess, Alan. Googie. Fifties Coffee Shop Architecture. San Francisco: Chronicle Books. 1986
  • Hession, Jane King, Rip Rapson, Bruce N. Wright. Ralph Rapson:Sixty Years of Modern Design. Afton, MN: Afton Historical Society Press, 1999.
  • Heyer, Paul. Architects on Architecture, New Directions in America. New York: Walker and Company, 1978.
  • Hildebrand, Grant. Designing for Industry: the Architecture of Albert Kahn. Cambridge: MIT Press, 1974.
  • Hines. Thomas S. Architecture of the Sun: Los Angeles Modernism 1900-1970. New York: Rizzoli, 2010.
  • Holleman, Thomas J. Smith, Hinchman & Grylls: 125 Years of Architecture and Engineering. Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 1978.
  • Jackson, Neil. California Modern: The Architecture of Craig Ellwood. New York: Princeton Architectural Press, 2002.
  • Johnson, Philip C. Mies van der Rohe. New York: The Museum of Modern Art, 1953.
  • Kahn, Albert. Papers 1896-2011. Bentley Historical Library. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
  • Knight, Richard. Saarinen’s Quest: A Memoir. San Francisco: William Stout Publishers, 2008.
  • Koening, Gloria. Eames. Los Angeles: Taschen Books, 2005.
  • Larrabee, Eric and Massimo Vignelli. Knoll Design. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 1990.
  • Lindbeck, Jennifer. Fifties Furniture by Paul McCobb:Directional Designs. Schiffer Publications. 2000.
  • Loeffler, Jane C. The Architecture of Diplomacy: Building America’s Embassies. New York: Princeton Architectural Press, 1998.
  • Lorch, Emil. Papers 1890-1963. Ann Arbor, Michigan: Bentley Historical Library. The University of Michigan.
  • Lutz, Brian. Eero Saarinen Furniture for Everyman. New York: Pointed Leaf Press, LLC. 2012.
  • Lutz, Brian and Reed Kroloff. Knoll: A Modernist Universe. New York: Rizzoli. 2010.
  • McCoy, Katherine, ed. Design in Michigan 1967-1977. Detroit: Wayne State University, 1978.
  • MacIness, Margo. A Guide to the Campus of the University of Michigan. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 1978.
  • Maddex, Diane. Alden B. Dow: Midwestern Modern. Midland, MI: Alden B. Dow Home and Studio, 2007.
  • Merkel, Jayne. Eero Saarinen. New York: Phaidon Press, 2005.
  • Mumford, Eric. The CIAM Discourse on Modernism 1928 to 1960. Cambridge: MIT Press, 2000.
  • Muschenheim, William. Why Architecture. Ann Arbor, Michigan: Karoma Publishers, Inc., 1980.
  • Museum of Modern Art. Press Release Archives 1929-1997. http://www.moma.org/learn/resources/press_archives/1920s
  • Olivet College: A Master Plan. Meathe, Kessler and Associates: Olivet, Michigan, 1962.
  • Northrup, Dale. Frank Lloyd Wright Houses in Michigan. Algonac, MI: Reference Publications. 1991.
  • Nelson, George. Industrial Architecture of Albert Kahn. New York: Architectural Book Publishing Company, 1939.
  • Pearlman, Jill. Inventing American Modernism. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia Press, 2007.
  • Piña, Leslie. Alexander Girard Designs for Herman Miller. Boston: Acanthus Publishing. 1995.
  • Piña, Leslie. The Herman Miller Collection 1952: Furniture designed by George Nelson and Charles Eames, with Occasional Pieces by Isamu Noguchi. Boston: Acanthus Publishing. 1995.
  • Piña, Leslie. The Herman Miller Collection: The 1955/1956 Catalog (Reprint). Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publications. 1998.
  • Powell, Tracy. General Motors Styling 1927-1958. Charlestown, Indiana: Powell House Publishing and Communication, 2007.
  • Pulos, Arthur J. The American Design Adventure 1940-1975. Cambridge: The MIT Press, 1988.
  • Redstone, Louis G. From Israeli Pioneer to American Architect. Ames, IA: Iowa State University Press, 1989.
  • Robinson, Sidney K. The Architecture of Alden B. Dow. Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 1983.
  • Ross, Phyllis. Gilbert Rohde: Modern Design for Modern Living. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2009.
  • Saarinen, Aline. Eero Saarinen on His Work. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1962.
  • Schroeder, Francis de N. INTERIORS + INDUSTRIAL DESIGN. New York: Whitney Publications, 1945.
  • Sharoff, Robert and William Zbaren. American City: Detroit Architecture 1845-2005. Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 2005.
  • Silen, Saija. Finnish-American Architecture and Architects in Northern and Eastern Parts of the United States of America 1850-1950. Jyväskylä, Finland: Institute of Migration, 2009.
  • Smith, Elizabeth. Case Study Houses. Los Angeles: Taschen. 2009.
  • Tests and Other Facts Concerning the Kahn Trussed Bar. Detroit: Trussed Concrete Steel Company, 1906.
  • The AIA Historical Directory of American Architects 1956 and 1962. http://communities.aia.org/sites/hdoaa/wiki/Wiki%20Pages/Home.aspx
  • The President’s Report. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan (1906-1970).
  • Thomas, June Manning. Redevelopment and Race: Planning for a Finer City in Postwar Detroit. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1997.
  • Treib, Marc, ed. Modern Landscape Architecture: A Critical Review. Cambridge: The MIT Press, 1993.
  • Torgerson, Mark A. An Architecture of Immanence: Architecture for Worship and Ministry Today. Grand Rapids: W. B. Eerdmans, 2007.
  • Travis, Jack. African American Architects in Current Practice. New York: Princeton Architectural Press, 1991.
  • University of Michigan. Michiganensian 1959 Yearbook. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 1959.
  • VanZanten, David. Sullivan’s City: the Meaning of Ornament for Louis Sullivan. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2000.
  • Weatherhead, Arthur. The History of Collegiate Education in Architecture in the United States. New York: Columbia University, 1941.
  • Wildheim, Charles. CASE: Hilberseimer/Mies van der Rohe Lafayette Park Detroit. New York: Prestel Publishing, 2004.
  • Williamson, Roxanne. American Architects and the Mechanics of Fame. Austin: University of Texas Press, 1991.
  • Woodward, Christopher. Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1970.
  • Wright, Gwendolyn. USA: Modern Architectures in History. London: Reaktion Books.Ltd. 2008.
  • Yamasaki, Minoru. A Life in Architecture. New York: Weatherill, 1979.

Articles

  • “A Catalog of Michigan’s 96 County Courthouses.” Michigan History Magazine, Jul. – Aug. 1982.
  • “A Church and a School by Yamasaki.” Architectural Record 127, no. 2 (1960): 149.
  • A Modular House that Permits Variations [Norman F. Carver, Jr.].” Architectural Record, Houses of 1961 129, no. 6 (1961): 121.
  • A Raised Cottage for a Lakeside Site [George Keck & William Keck].” Architectural Record 130, no. 5 (1961): 156.
  • Brooks, Allen H. “Steinway Hall, Architects and Dreams.” Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians 22, no. 3 (1963): 171-175.
  • Campus Plan for a Five-Building Research Center.” Architectural Record 130, no. 4 (1961): 170.
  • Cheyne, Michael. “No Better Way? The Kalamazoo Mall and the Legacy of Pedestrian Malls.”Michigan Historical Review.
  • Clair Ditchy, Former W.G.A, Heads A.I.A. as 34th President.” The Archi XXXIII, no. 1 (1953).
  • Crosse, John. “California Arts & Architecture: A Steppingstone to Fame: Harwell Hamilton Harris and John Entenza: Two Case Studies.” Southern California Architectural History. http://so-cal-arch-history.com/archives/785#comments.
  • Collins, Judith and Al Nash. “Preserving Yesterday’s View of Tomorrow: The Chicago World’s Fair Houses.” CRM 5 (2002).
  • “Detroit’s New Generation.” Progressive Architecture (1958): 90.
  • “Eero Saarinen’s Masterpiece – The GM Technical Center.” Architectural Forum (1951).
  • Ely, Dwight P. “Eliel Saarinen-Master Architect.” The Archi XXIII, no. 4 (1942).
  • Engelhardt, N., “What can school designers expect?” New Pencil Points 23 (1942): p. 46-60.
  • “Fellowships in Institute Honor Alpha Rho Chi’s Black, Yost.” The Archi XXXI, no. 1 (1952).
  • Ferry, W. Hawkins. “Representative Detroit Buildings: A Cross Section of Architecture 1823-1943.” Bulletin of the Detroit Institute of the Arts XXII, no. 6 (1943).
  • “Flint’s New Civic Center.” Michigan Architect and Engineer 33, no. 10 (1958): 2.
  • Fowler, Glenn. “William Wesley Peters Dies at 79; A Devotee of Frank Lloyd Wright.” New York Times July 18, 1991.
  • Frank, Marie . “Emil Lorch: Pure Design and American Architectural Education.” Journal of Architectural Education 57, no. 4 (2006): 28-40.
  • Friedman, Alice T. “Modern Architecture for the American Century.” The Design Observer Group. http://places.designobserver.com/feature/modern-architecture-for-the-american-century/13968/.
  • Friedman, Marilyn F. “The United States and the 1925 Paris Exposition: Opportunity Lost and Found.” Studies in the decorative arts 23, no. 1 (2006): 94-120.
  • French, W.M.R. “Art Education in American.” Brush and Pencil 8, no. 4 (1901).
  • “Fuller Plans Mini-Earth.” The Archi [Alpha Rho Chi Fraternity] (1956).
  • “General Motors Technical Center.” Architectural Forum: The Magazine of Building – (1951): 111-122.
  • Grawe, Sam. “Alexander the Great [Alexander Girard].” Dwell Magazine, February 2008.
  • Grawe, Sam. “Mies van der Rohe Lafayette Park.” Dwell Magazine, December/January 2009.
  • Halik, Nancy Lickerman. “The Eero Saarinen Spawn.” The Inland Architect (1981): 14-45.
  • Hanks, David. “Louis J. Millet and The Art Institute of Chicago.” Bulletin of the Art Institute of Chicago 67, no. 2 (1973): 13-19.
  • Herron, Jerry. “The Last Pedestrians: Albert Kahn, Diego Rivera and Edsel Ford in Detroit: Places: Design Observer.” The Design Observer Group. http://places.designobserver.com/feature/albert-kahn-diego-rivera-edsel-ford-in-detroit/33018/.
  • Hildebrand, Grant. “Beautiful Factories” in Albert Kahn: Inspiration for the Modern. Edited by Brian Carter (Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Museum of Art, 2001) 20.
  • House and Home Magazine. New York: McGraw Hill. 1940-1960.
  • Howard-Filler, Saralee R. “A Catalog of Michigan’s 96 County Courthouses.” Michigan History, Jul. – Aug. 1982.
  • Hyde, Charles K. “Assembly-Line Architecture: Albert Kahn and the Evolution of the U.S. Auto Factory, 1905-1950.” The Journal for the Society for Industrial Architecture 22, no. 2 (1996) 5-25.
  • Korab, Balthazar. “Yamasaki’s First Skyscraper Open.” New York Times, August 18, 1963.
  • Lavietes, Stuart. “Warren Platner, Designer, Is Dead at 86.” New York Times, April 20, 2006.
  • “Lift Slabs for Suburban Towers. Huron Towers Apartments, Ann Arbor.” Architectural Record 128, no. 4 (1960): 206.
  • Littman, William. “Assault on the Ecole: Student Campaigns Against the Beaux Arts, 1925–1950.” Journal of Architectural Education 53, no. 3 (2000): 159-166.
  • Lorch, Emil. “The Architectural Student and His Relation to Professional Practice.” Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science 101 (1922).
  • Makovsky, Paul, Belinda Lanks and Martin C. Pederson. “Team Eero.” Metropolis 28 (November 2008): 70-79.
  • “Midland Hospital, Midland, Michigan; Alden B. Dow, Architect.” Pencil Points (Aug. 1945): 56.
  • Marquard, Bryan. “Norman Fletcher, 89; Cofounded influential architects group.” The Boston Globe June 6, 2007.
  • McKoy, Richard. “No Preservatives | Following the Eames Legacy: A Discussion with Daniel Ostroff.” Art21 Blog. http://blog.art21.org/2011/10/03/no-preservatives-following-the-eames-legacy-a-discussion-with-daniel-ostroff-part-i/.
  • Menocal, Narciso G. “Frank Lloyd Wright and the Question of Style.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 2 (1986): 4-19.
  • Pearlman, Jill. “Joseph Hudnut’s Other Modernism at the Harvard Bauhaus.” Society of Architectural Historians. 56, no. 4 (1997).
  • Pilafian, Suren. “Urban University Redevelopment. Wayne State University: Detroit, Michigan.” Architectural Record (1959).
  • “Ralph Rapson Heads School of Architecture at Minnesota.” The Archi [Alpha Rho Chi Fraternity] (1954): 3.
  • Redstone, Louis. “Festive Atmosphere Helps Sales: Wonderland Regional Shopping Center, Livonia, Michigan.” Architectural Record (1961).
  • “Restrained Design for Bank in Detroit Suburb [Louis Redstone].” Architectural Record 130, no. 2(August 1961).
  • Saarinen, Eero. “Saarinen.” Perspecta 7 (Cambridge: The MIT Press, 1916).
  • “Sculptural Symmetry Distinguishes Design for Inexpensive House [Gunnar Birkets & Frank Straub].” Architectural Record 129, no. 6 (1961): 121.
  • Sharoff, Robert. “On the Life and Work of Chicago Architect Harry Weese.” Chicago Magazine, July 2010.
  • Siry, Joseph M. “The Architecture of Earthquake Resistance: Julius Kahn’s Truscon Company and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Imperial Hotel.” Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians 67, no. 1 (2008) 78-105.
  • The Saginaw News, “Most Enjoyable, Rewarding—And Difficult–Architect Builds an Exciting House in a Beautiful Setting,” October 14, 1956.
  • “The Maturing Modern [Eero Saarinen].” Time Magazine, July 2, 1956.
  • “The Road to Xanadu [Minoru Yamasaki].” Time Magazine, January 18, 1963.
  • “Urban Neighborhood Redevelopment.” Progressive Architecture (1955): 100.
  • Weinstein, Dave. “Arts & Architecture: Magazine with a Mission.” Eichler Network: Home of CA-Modern Magazine. http://www.eichlernetwork.com/article/arts-architecture-magazine-mission.

Papers

  • Birmingham Historical Society. Exhibit label for Eero Saarinen: A Local Legacy, Birmingham, Michigan, January 26 – May 10, 2008.
  • Dye, Audra, et al. “Art, Craft and Industry: Frank Lloyd in Southeast Michigan.” Reading, The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy Annual Conference from The Frank Lloyd Wright Conservancy, Southfield, MI, September 13-17, 2006.
  • Elstein, Rochelle S. The Howard Sober House: An Artifact of the 50’s. (East Lansing: Michigan State University, 1978).
  • Kelly, James A. National Register of Historic Places Preliminary Questionnaire. Koebel House, 203 Coverly, Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan. (Lansing: Michigan State Historic Preservation Office, 2008).
  • Pierce, Diane O. “Design, Craft, and American Identity: Russel Wright’s ‘American-Way’ Project, 1940-2.” Master of Arts Thesis, History of the Decorative Arts and Design, Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, Smithsonian Institution, and Parsons the New School for Design, 2010.
  • Sipes, Lorri. The Architecture of George B. Brigham, Jr. 1936-1950. Paper. University of Michigan: Theory and Philosophy of Architecture, April 1976.
  • Skvarla, Melvyn A. MHPN/KHPC Annual Conference and Ingersoll Village Tour Lecture Notes. (Lansing: Michigan State Historic Preservation Office).

Lectures, Speeches, Addresses

  • Kahn, Albert . “Post-War Reconstruction.” Reading, Peace and Prosperity Dinner from Detroit Real Estate Board, Detroit, January 22, 1919.
  • Kahn, Albert. “Industrial and Commercial Buildings their Probable Life Obsolescence and Depreciation.” Lecture, November 27, 1925.
  • Kahn, Albert . “Reinforced Concrete Architecture These Past Twenty Years.” Speech, 20th Anniversary of the American Concrete Institute from American Concrete Institute, 1924.
  • Kahn, Albert. “The Story of Architecture and its Present Day Status.” Speech, Tuesday Musical, November 15, 1927.
  • Kahn, Albert. “What Will the Detroit of the Future be Like?” Speech, Vortex Club, Detroit, September 28, 1921.

Interviews

  • Bassett, Edward Charles. “The Chicago Architects Oral History Project.” Chicago: Art Institute of Chicago.
  • Eames, Ray Kaiser. Interview by R. Bowman. Personal interview. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institute, Washington, DC. , July 28, 1980.
  • Lautner, John. Responsibility, Infinity, Nature. Interview by Marlene Laskey. Oral History Program, UCLA, 1986.
  • Schnee, Ruth Adler. Interview by Anita Schnee. Personal interview. Southfield, Michigan, Archives of America Art, Nanette L. Laitman Documentation Project for Craft and Decorative Arts in America, November 24, 2002.

Available at your local book store and online.

Michigan Modern in Print

“The book demonstrates how Michigan’s industries, educational institutions, and businesses employed the most innovative architects and designers of the day, who in turn lured the best and brightest to come and work with them. In this way, Modernism and Michigan were inextricably tied.” — Architectural Record

The Great Lakes State has always been known for its contributions to twentieth-century manufacturing, but it’s only beginning to receive wide attention for its contributions to Modern design and architecture.