Michigan Modern: Design that Shaped America

by Amy Arnold, Brian Conway

Michigan Design That Shaped America is an impressive collection of important essays touching on all aspects of Michigan’s architecture and design heritage. 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. Brian D. Conway, Michigan’s State Historic Preservation Officer, and Amy L. Arnold, project manager for Michigan Modern, have curated nearly thirty essays and interviews from a number of prominent architects, academics, architectural historians, journalists, and designers, including historian Alan Hess, designers Mira Nakashima, Ruth Adler Schnee, and Todd Oldham, and architect Gunnar Birkerts, describing Michigan’s contributions to Modern design in architecture, automobiles, furniture and education.

Genres: Nonfiction

352 pages, Hardcover

Published October 4, 2016

Reviews

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice big "coffee table" book full of photos of Mid-Century architecture around Michigan. There was also a lot of information that I hadn't heard before about some of the architects. I enjoyed it.

[Mid Century Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is "design," how did it evolve to be modern, and what makes it special in Michigan? As the profession of design modernized, it became a way to provide society with products, that were streamlined in style, to economize the mass manufacturing process. Michigan was uniquely situated to further this meeting of creativity and industrialization. For full review, at MidCenturyBooks.Net, Michigan

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Modernism in design from art- furniture- boats- architecture- was a major influence in Michigan with the artists, designers, futurists, architects living and working in Michigan in the boat manufacturing, furniture, car industry and architect schools plus Cranbrook. All of these factors made Michigan Modern. Loved reading about the backgrounds and education of these forces in innovation.

[Kathie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brought back memories of the "butterfly" house my Uncle Dick designed and built in the late 50s while employed by Yamasaki.

[Nicholas Kalogeresis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful essays and a much-needed book on the contributions Michigan designers had on modern movement in America.

[Jeff Hooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard to imagine a time when Michigan was cutting edge but it was actually not long ago. The book focuses too narrowly on Cranbrook, but the photos are wonderful.

[Don Healy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful illustration of how Michigan nurtured and inspired some of America’s greatest architects. With a special shout-out to Cranbrook.

[Sean Kottke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous coffee table book on Michigan's local heritage of modern design and contribution to modern design around the world.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

So glad they got these interviews!