Drawing for Santa's Icicle House by Tivadar Balogh. Image courtesy of Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan.
Drawing for Santa's Icicle House by Tivadar Balogh. Image courtesy of Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan.
Tivadar Balogh, architect, was born December 16, 1926, in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Hungarian immigrants. Following his high school graduation in 1944, Balogh enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in World War II (1945-1946), before enrolling at the University of Michigan on a track scholarship in 1946. While at Michigan, Balogh received the Harley, Ellington & Day architectural scholarship (1951) and an academic honor from the professional fraternity Tau Sigma Delta (1952). Balogh graduated with a degree from the College of Architecture in 1952, and served another tour in the Navy during the Korean War (1952-1954), prior to engaging in professional practice.
Balogh worked as an instructor at Michigan’s College of Architecture and Design throughout most of his career. He taught at the university as a visiting lecturer (1956, 1963), instructor in the extension service (1964-1970), adjunct instructor (1972-1985), and adjunct professor (1985-1997). Balogh also taught graphic design development for two years at Schoolcraft College in Livonia, Michigan (1970-1971). During his tenure in the College of Architecture, Balogh taught classes in communication skills, visual studies, construction materials and methods, building and comprehensive design, and graphics, earning high regard from colleagues and students alike. In 1973, Balogh received the Sol King Award for Excellence in Teaching from the college.
Balogh began his professional architecture career as a draftsman for Detroit mechanical engineer Andrew F. Caughey (1946) and Detroit architect Earl Confer (1947-1948). From 1949 through 1952, Balogh was employed as a designer and draftsman for the Detroit firm of O’Dell, Hewlett & Luckenbach. Beginning in 1954, Balogh began work for fellow Michigan alumnus, and future dean of the College of Architecture, Robert Metcalf (1950), working as one of Metcalf’s draftsmen through 1960. Between 1960 and 1961 Balogh worked as an architect and designer for the firms of Shreve, Walker, and Associates and W.B. Ford Design Associates, both of Detroit.
In 1961, Balogh began his own private practice, based in Plymouth, Michigan, doing modernist residential and commercial work. Balogh’s practice was small, at times consisting of Balogh alone or Balogh assisted by two or three other draftsmen or architects. While Balogh often produced the mechanical and structural drawings on his own, he also worked with a number of consultants, including Robert M. Darvas and Associates, DiClementi & Siegal Engineering, Norman L. Dietrich Associates, and Construction Services Company. By the time of his retirement Balogh had completed approximately 150 residential, institutional, and commercial projects throughout Michigan, Illinois, and Arizona.
In addition to his teaching and professional work, Balogh committed himself to public and professional service. Balogh served on the Plymouth Township Planning Commission (1960-1966), and in 1980 designed the logo for the township’s official seal. Balogh engaged in architectural service and research, as well, as a participant in the University of Michigan’s Architecture Research Lab, a member of the Schoolcraft Community College Architectural Advisory Committee, architectural advisor for the Township of Canton Historical Commission, member of the Plymouth-Canton School District Architectural Program Advisory Committee, board member of the Michigan Society of Architects, and as treasurer (1965), vice-president (1966), and president (1967) of the Huron Valley chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
A talented artist and respected architect, Balogh was the recipient of numerous awards for his work including an Honorable Mention, with Robert C. Metcalf, for a youth center in the Porcelain Enamel Design Competition (1956); Honorable Mention, with Robert C. Metcalf and William A. Werner, for a house in the Morton Arboretum House Competition (1956); a Merit Award, in collaboration with the office of Robert C. Metcalf, from the 18th Annual National Conference on Church Architecture for the Church of the Good Shepherd (1958); two design awards from Progressive Architecture for the Balogh Residence (1957) and the Tennis and Swim Club of Plymouth, Michigan (1972); the Governor’s Award for Excellence of Design in Michigan for the Mercy College of Detroit library addition (1977); a Citation of Merit from the American Plywood Association for the remodeling of Growth Works (1981); the Huron Valley AIA Lifetime Service Award (1998); and the AIA Michigan President’s Award (1998), for outstanding contributions to the community and the profession.
Tivadar Balogh retired from the University of Michigan and private architectural practice in 1997. Balogh died on December 1, 2006.
Tivadar & Dorothy Balough Residence, 1958
Plymouth Township, Washtenaw County, Michigan (map)
Santa’s Icicle House, 1960
Plymouth Township, Washtenaw County, Michigan (map)
Plymouth Township Administrative Offices, 1961
Plymouth Township, Washtenaw County, Michigan (map)
City of Plymouth Department of Public Works Building, 1962
Plymouth, Washtenaw County, Michigan (map)
Plymouth Township Garage and Storage Building, 1962
Plymouth Township, Washtenaw County, Michigan (map)
Mr. and Mrs. Samuel K. Clark Residence, 1963
Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, Michigan (map)
Grosse Pointe Club, 1963
Grosse Pointe Farms, Wayne County, Michigan (map)
Mr. and Mrs. Alfred J. Prizlow Residence, 1963
Oakland County, Michigan (map)
Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Malvin Residence, 1965
Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, Michigan (map)
Mr. and Mrs. L. David Ash Residence, 1967
Farmington Township, Oakland County, Michigan (map)
Mr. and Mrs. A. P. Fontaine Residence, 1967
Osceola Township, Houghton County, Michigan (map)
Heide’s Flowers, 1967
Plymouth, Washtenaw County, Michigan (map)
Goddard Building, 1968
Plymouth, Washtenaw County, Michigan (map)
Ms. Florence Gasdick and Ms. Betty Ritzenhein Residence, 1970
Ypsilanti, Washtenaw County, Michigan (map)
James L. Lundy Residence, 1970
Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, Michigan (map)
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth J. Holder Residence, 1973
Superior Township, Chippewa County, Michigan (map)
Dr, and Mrs. Errikos Constant Residence, 1974
Okemos, Ingham County, Michigan (map)
Lochmoor Tennis Club, 1974
Grosse Pointe Woods, Wayne County, Michigan (map)
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Andres Residence, 1976
Canton, Wayne County, Michigan (map)
Eltec Corporation Plymouth Stamping Division, 1976
Plymouth, Washtenaw County, Michigan (map)
Mr. and Mrs. Richard de Bear Residence, 1978
Plymouth, Washtenaw County, Michigan (map)
Václav Fabian Residence, 1978
Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan (map)
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Zeleck Residence, 1979
Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, Michigan (map)
Tivadar Balogh biography by University of Michigan Graduate Student, Kate Dawson.
Bentley Historical Library. Architects, Architecture, and Landscape Design Subject Guide. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Bentley Historical Library. Tivadar Balogh papers, 1946-1998 . University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
FYI Plymouth, MI is in Wayne County not Washtenaw County
Thanks for pointing this out, Derek.
I was so sorry to hear about Tivador’s death. I hadn’t been in touch for years. He designed the carport for my mother’s house on West Grixdale in Detroit in 1955. I remember viisting his and Dot’s house; I’d never seen anything quite like it and loved it. A friend and I visited on a short trip home from Bryn Mawr College, PA; she was very impressed. He and Dot attended my wedding in 1962. He and my mother became acquainted quite by chance through my great-aunt in Farmington, MI. My mother’s parents had come from Hungary, as well, so we had that in common, in addition to our interest in modern architecture. I ended up receiving a Ph.D. in Art History from Stanford University in 1985, and so learned much about architecture during those years of study.
Thank you for sharing your story with us, Ms. Goggin.
I currently live in a Balogh house, and love it. My husband and I consider ourselves very lucky to be able to spend each day there, and continue to find intelligent, beautiful aspects of the design. Our home is not included in your above listing, however. It was built in Ann Arbor for Dr. Nagy and his wife in 1967. We would love for it to be recognized in your records. Please feel free to contact me.