Main entry:

Smith, Michael G., author.

Title & Author:

Designing Detroit : Wirt Rowland and the rise of modern American architecture / Michael G. Smith.

Publication:

Detroit, Michigan : Wayne State University Press, [2017]
©2017

Description:

xii, 498 pages : illustrations (some color), maps, charts, plans ; 26 cm.

Series:

Great Lakes books

Notes:
Includes bibliographical references (pages 467-478) and index.
Architectural terms illustrated -- Preface -- Introduction -- Working for "The Dean" -- Back to schools -- The City's top designer -- Columns of stone, columns of words -- New work, new freedoms -- A breakthrough -- Two kings of Griswold Street -- End of the round arch -- Aftershocks -- A great depression -- Church and state -- Acknowledgments -- Apendixes -- Published works by Wirt Rowland -- Essential reading -- Further reading -- Tables -- Selected jobs, 1912-1917: Malcomson and Higginbotham -- Selected jobs, 1910-1922: Albert Kahn, Architects and Engineers -- Selected jobs, 1922-1930: Smith, Hinchman, and Grylls -- Notes -- Bibliography -- Index.
A 2018 Michigan Notable Books selection

Summary:

In the early 1900s, Detroit was leading the nation in architectural innovation and designer Wirt Rowland was at the forefront of this advancement, yet few are even aware of his substantial contribution to the evolution of architectural style. It is widely believed that celebrated local architect Albert Kahn designed many of Detroit's structures, such as the General Motors and First National Bank buildings. In fact, while Kahn?s efforts were focused on running his highly successful firm, it was Rowland, his chief designer, who was responsible for the appearance and layout of these buildings - an important point in appreciating the contributions of both Kahn and Rowland. During the early twentieth century, Rowland devised a wholly new or "modern" design for buildings, one not reliant on decorative elements copied from architecture of the past. As buildings became more specialized for their intended use, Rowland met the challenge with entirely new design methodologies and a number of improved technologies and materials that subsequently became commonplace.-- Publisher
This book represents new research and insights not previously discussed in either scholarly or general audience texts and will be of interest to casual readers of Detroit history, as well as architecture historians.This book is concerned primarily with Rowland's influence on Detroit architecture, but spans beyond his work in Michigan to include the designer's broad reach from New York to Miami. A comprehensive appendix includes extensive lists of Rowland's publications, locations he had designed, and jobs taken on by his firm during his tenure.-- Publisher

ISBN:

9780814339794
0814339794
ebook
9780814339800

Subject:

Rowland, Wirt C. (Wirt Clinton), 1878-1946.
Architects Michigan Biography.
Architectes Michigan Biographies.
Architects.
Michigan.

Form/genre:

collective biographies.
Biographies.

Added entries:

Great Lakes books.

Wirt Rowland and the rise of modern American architecture

Holdings:

Location: Library main 296144
Call No.: BIB 242558
Status: Available