Article: Midland, MI / Alden Dow

DavidC · Post by **DavidC** » Fri May 15, 2015 11:03 am

The midwest's midcentury-modern mecca is Midland, Michigan

David

Paul Ringstrom · Post by **Paul Ringstrom** » Sat Aug 05, 2017 12:56 pm

Alden B. Dow: Designer of the Midwestâ€™s most modern town
https://www.curbed.com/2017/8/4/1608941 ... ct-midland

jmcnally · Post by **jmcnally** » Sat Aug 05, 2017 1:20 pm

Things I like about Alden Dow:
1. He used Wright's principles without trying to imitate Wright's designs
2. He experimented with materials - notably blocks made from cinder
3. Despite his use of organic architecture, he also believed in splashes of color to add excitement to his works

Roderick Grant · Post by **Roderick Grant** » Sat Aug 05, 2017 1:29 pm

After discovery of FLW, by way of Fallingwater, Taliesin, Coonley, Cheney and Freeman, Alden Dow's house had the greatest impact on my young mind. It is ethereal, beautiful beyond words. It sets a standard that few architects, Wright-related or otherwise, have met.

jay · Post by **jay** » Sat Aug 05, 2017 1:53 pm

This from Dwell the other day:
https://www.dwell.com/home/the-josephin ... e-16e772c4

What a gorgeous building.

Roderick Grant · Post by **Roderick Grant** » Sat Aug 05, 2017 2:11 pm

There were only three architects who did A-frame dwellings really well: Alden Dow, Mark Mills and Alfred Browning Parker, whose lop-sided A-frame has been lost. For the most part, I connect A-frames to the countless Lutheran churches built in the Midwest and Der Wienerschnitzel fast-food chain, and not in a good way. However, Dow's house for his aunt is a masterpiece.

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Sat Aug 05, 2017 2:25 pm

Did not know of the Ashmun House before.
Mills had similar large wood interior brackets mounted on the frame
at Wild Bird.