There were a great number of architects and designers practicing in Michigan during the Mid-Century Modern period (1940-1970). The lists at the links below should not be considered complete or authoritative. Rather, they are a work in progress – an attempt to identify these individuals, the firms they established or worked for, and the buildings they created.
there are a lot of missing names here–
where is wirt rowland? william “buck” stratton?not modern enough? what about ruth adler schnee? sigmund blum?
and where is Ralph Rapson???
David,
We agree, there are a lot of names missing. One of the goals of this project is to identify individuals like those you mentioned, and to bring their work to light.
We need the help of people like yourself for this, and that’s one of the reasons we wanted to do this via the web versus strictly in-house.
Though we know a lot, we don’t know everything, and we’d love to have people far and wide contribute to the body of knowledge we’re putting together.
Any time you want to contribute, please send us an email.
Take care,
Todd
Great site — I would be pleased to help write a biography of my father, Edward Jackson, who’s listed on the site. Since he’s still with us, if you’d like to organize an interview just let me know. Same goes for his partner, Bill Kane.
I just thought of another to add to the list,certainly if one of your sponsors is an Art Deco peservation group… don’t forget Wert Rowland,and the Guardian Building in Detroit!
This is a great start. My father and I would be glad to help with fleshing out more info about these architects.
I am trying to find plans/history/photos of home I just purchased built in 1951 with the architect listed on the blueprints as Walter T. Anicka (File 724-F)
I was told the plans were featured in Better Homes and Gardens or Good Housekeeping. Any idea how I might find info ie: designs/drawings? The exterior was never finished according to plans and we would like to get it restored according to Mr. Anicka’s original intent/design.
My wife is the only child of architect Walter T. Anicka. He died in 1992, and my wife inherited all of his personal effects. It’s a long-shot that she would have the plans that Patty Bennett desires, but, then again, my wife never throws anything away! If interested, you can contact me at the offices of the City of Westminster, Colorado.
Patty I have access to BH & G, though I’ve looked through March-Dec 51 and haven’t come across a plan by Anicka maybe Jan or Feb. Not sure if I can find the Good Housekeeping magazines as I don’t think our university library carries them, but they do have the BH & Collection. If you haven’t found an answer, let me know and I’ll keep an eye out for you. This is just the kind of stuff I love to do! You can reach me at cfw61@yahoo.com
My wife and I live in a Richard Pollman house that we recently purchased from the son of the original owners In Bloomfield. The owner of the home was a draftsman for Richard Pollman in the 1950′s. I have tried to find out more info about Mr. Pollman, but have not found more than countless home plans.
Richard Pollman was the designer for Home Planners, Inc. A company begun in Michigan in the late 1940s. He was a University of Michigan graduate, as was one of his partners, Irving Palmquist. A house he designed was featured in the 1955 “House and Garden” magazine, and it was in Bloomfield Hills.
We also recently bought a Home Planner’s Inc house built in about 1980 in Howell. The original plans came with the house. Irv Palmquist’s seal is on the drawings. Richard Pollman is identified as Designer. It is a Cape Cod identified as Design No. 2395.
We have been living for 16 years in a mid-century modern home built by E.A. Kundinger, Inc. The company was located at 14841 Kerchavel in Detroit, and our home was built in 1960. We also have the original blueprints for the design of our home. Any information on E.A. Kundinger would be appreciated.
David Osler was very big in Ann Arbor and his work is currently featured in the exhibit “Constructing Modern” at the University of Michigan Art & Architecture Building on North Campus.
article about him:
http://www.mlive.com/annarbornews/business/index.ssf/2008/12/by_cynthia_furlong_reynolds_sp.html
Thanks for sharing this, Derek!
I have been researching and trying to document as many of their homes as possible. Richard Pollman never became a licensed architect and Iriving Palmquist did, so they made a very good team. They collaborated together for over thirty years. Irving Palmquist also worked at the University of Michigan for nearly twenty years. Richard Pollman had an interest in the Prefab movement and worked with Thyer Corp. in Toledo; and he also worked to develop the UNICOM system of home building as well.
We are buying a 1954 home in Lansing and would like to try to find the architect’s name ( or builder). Where is the best place to start?
Thanks
One place to start would be the subdivision plat map for your property, if it was built in a subdivision. Builders sometimes used the same architects. If you find the builder you might be able to find information from their firm, if they are still in business. Good luck.