Mid-Michigan Modern: From Frank Lloyd Wright To Googie
By Professor Susan J. Bandes
Thursday, March 23, 2017
Capital Area District Library, 401 S. Capitol Ave.
Learn more about Lansing’s modernist architects and some of
their notable architectural creations from Susan J. Bandes, author of
“Mid-Michigan Modern: Lansing Architects and Their Clients” as she does a talk
and power point presentation on Mid-Michigan Modern: Lansing Architects and
Their Clients, 7 p.m., Thursday,
March 23 at the newly renovated downtown branch of the Capitol Area District
Library.
The Library is one of Lansing’s most revered modernist structures and is the work of Lansing architect Kenneth Black. Bandes’ book
will be available for purchase.
Bandes, who teaches art history and is director of museum
studies at MSU, also was one of the curators on the exhibit "Minds of Modernism" which is on display at the Michigan Historical Museum.
In her new book, Bandes has collected documents, photographs, and
oral histories featuring more than 130 modernist structures that were built in
the East Lansing, Okemos, and Lansing aea between 1940 and 1970.
“Included in her book are homes, offices and sacred places
you drive by every day, but really don’t know the story behind the building,”
said Bill Castanier, president of the Historical Society of Greater Lansing.
For example, the Michigan Medical Society building on West Saginaw
in East Lansing is a classic example of modernism and was designed by the
architect of the Twin Towers, Minoru Yamasaki. Bandes also delves into unique
modernism structures like East Lansing’s Dawn Donuts.
One classic example of a home designed in the modernist vein
is the soaring “airplane house” on Moores River Dr. which was designed for the
aviator-entrepreneur Talbert Abrams and built to look like the shadow a plane casts
while in the air.
Longtime Lansing residents also will remember the
Liebermann’s gift shop in downtown Lansing. The building one Washington Square is
the only commercial structure designed by George Nelson who was Director of Design
for Herman Miller.
The Minds of Modernism
exhibit includes architectural drawings, building models, and representative
commercial products from noted designers such as Eero Saarinen
and that reflect the Modernist era.
