Michigan Modern

We came across this discussion on the DetroitYES forums today. As the title (Detroit’s influence on Yamasaki and Saarinen) suggests, the poster is wondering if, or to what extent, the Detroit metropolitan area influenced the work of Minoru Yamasaki and Eero Saarinen.

Here is the original post:

“I have always wondered how an actual city can influence an artist or architect. We always hear about NYC and London and how these cities have influenced some of the most creative people in our time. I was curious to know how and if Detroit had any influence on the works of Minoru Yamasaki and Eero Saarinen. Specifically Detroit though.

Do you think the region and city itself had any influence on the way they perceived and created architecture? Both architects are in a group of maybe 15 of the most important architects of the last century and Detroit had to have at least some influence.”

The discussion roams somewhat from Yamasaki and Saarinen, to include additional Detroit-area architects ( a few others as well), and it also brings up the topic of the influence of automobile design in architecture.

In any case it is an interesting question, and one Michigan Modern is working to answer, or at least shed light on. We encourage to stop by the DetroitYES forums, and have your say.