Midland, MI Zonta Homewalk Celebrates Mid-Century Modern Architecture

Midland Celebrates the Season Mid-Century Modern Style 36th Annual Zonta Homewalk Alden B. Dow Design Leland Doan Residence In 1956, Alden B. Dow F.A.I.A., began designs for a home for Leland I. Doan, who was the president of The Dow Chemical Company, that was intimate and warm as well as spacious and expansive. The home is constructed of Tennessee quartzite stone, laid horizontally to give the structure a variegated texture. The entrance is protected with the sloping roofline and guides you into the compressed, yet spacious, entrance area. Brightly colored glass inset into the front door is a wonderful contrast to the woodwork and stone. The entrance hall is wide and served as added reception area. Built-in cabinetry surrounds the sunken living area. Angled ceilings, level changes and furniture arrangement create areas that are intimate and comfortable. Massive floor to ceiling windows on the west end add light for the whole space and connect the home to grounds. Bright furniture adds excitement and contrast to the neutral palate of the building materials. The dining room features a sliding wall that separates it from the original porch area. The built-in dining room lighting is an exquisite puzzle of wood, mirror and light. The kitchen serves as both functional cooking area, informal eating area, as well as a gathering spot. The bedroom wing of the home, left of the entrance, features five bedrooms and an intimate sitting room and office area.

Midland Celebrates the Season Mid-Century Modern Style 36th Annual Zonta Homewalk Jackson B. Hallett Design William Broucek - 1907 Sylvan Lane Designed by Jackson Hallett in 1963 for the Philip Murdoch family, the house sits quietly atop a wooded hill. All rooms have large windows. The home’s entrance is protected by a beautiful, cantilevered balcony. Philippine Mahogany is used throughout the home. The living room is centered around a brick fireplace. Opposite the fireplace, the ceiling is lowered and the wall recessed with built-in indirect lighting. The entire south wall of the living room is lined with floor to ceiling windows. The windows continue into the dining room and wrap around all the way to the wood-framed glass door that leads to the screened porch. The galley-style kitchen leads to an eating area and work station. The bedroom portion of the house, located to right of the living room entrance, consists of two original bedrooms, two original bathrooms, a study and newer master bedroom. The study is placed next to the living room with a built in desk and floating shelves. Three sliding panels, placed above the desk can be opened to incorporate into the living room. The two original bedrooms on this level feature wonderful built-in cabinetry and doors to the balcony, each are gracious in size, especially for a Hallett designed home. The master bedroom is spacious and features a private deck and two adjoining walls of glass. The lower level of the home features two wonderful entertaining areas that are separated by a free-standing fireplace in addition to a fourth bedroom.

Midland Celebrates the Season Mid-Century Modern Style 36th Annual Zonta Homewalk Robert Schwartz Design Instantly intriguing and engaging, the John Vitkuske Home of 1966 is situated into a slender parcel of land. A huge horizontal deck jutting out from the home creates a drive-through carport that protects the home’s entrance and provides ultimate privacy. In this 2,400 square foot home that was designed by Robert Schwartz, each space is designed to the human scale and integrates with the natural surroundings. As is consistent with mid-century designs, the entrance to the home is compressed and gently guides you to continue moving on to the main living area or up or down a naturally lit staircase. In the main living area, a beautiful floor to ceiling diamond pattern screen creates separation for the dining area. A large, horizontal window floods the dining space with natural light. The tranquil and secluded living room features a massive window that overlooks the back yard and bathes the living space in light. On the upper level of the house are four bedrooms each detailed with beautiful built-in storage, a hallmark of mid-century design and of Mr. Schwartz. The master bedroom has windows placed to fill the room with natural light while ensuring privacy and seclusion.

Midland Celebrates the Season Mid-Century Modern Style 36th Annual Zonta Homewalk Alden and Vada Dow Creativity Foundation - 315 Post Street In 1939, Alden B. Dow began preparing drawings for his residence and architectural studio together. The house represents one of the thirteen homes he would design of his own, patented Unit Block System. A wide and beautifully crafted wood and glass door opens into the entrance way. A short, wide staircase leads to the bright and inviting living room. Windows from two walls of the room, providing a view onto the landscaped terrace and nearby pond. The living room ceiling vaults upward and is covered with panels of translucent woven plastic set in wooden frames. Behind the dining room and cantilevered over the surrounding pond, is a screened porch whose low horizontal rails give an unobstructed view of the gardens and water below. The kitchen is large, and although adjacent to the dining room, a swinging door separates the kitchen from guests. The family bedroom wing is located on the opposite side of the living room. The children’s bedrooms interconnect with each other and join into the master bedroom at the end of the long bedroom hallway. A sitting room outside of the master bedroom served as Mrs. Dow’s office area. Located in the lower level is a large game room with a carpeted floor of bold and geometric designs and colors. The game room transitions into the theater. The original playroom retains the scale trains and toys that were a part of the playful and fun atmosphere of the home.

Alden B. Dow Design Zonta Homewalk 2016 REST STOP - Midland Center for the Arts - 1801 W. St. Andrews “The Center was conceived not only as a facility to enhance arts involvement in a community long devoted to the intertwining of science and culture, but to provide a setting in which all of the arts are free to grow and experiment in a stimulating, interpersonal environment without fear of failure so detrimental to the creative impulse.” Alden B. Dow spoke these words at the dedication of the Center in 1970. The building, fortress-like and imposing with its massive brick exterior, protects the creativity and exploration that flourishes inside. Like most of his structures, the true beauty and importance is experienced in its interior and through its use. The intersecting circles on the building’s exterior represent the interplay of creative expression working together. The facility features: The Alden B. Dow Museum of Science and Art, a 1,500-seat Auditorium, a 400–seat Little Theater, Museum Exhibition Space and Art Studios and Rehearsal Rooms.

Midland Celebrates the Season Mid-Century Modern Style, partnering with Zonta an area non-profit that raises college scholarship money through its annual homewalk. The 2016 Walk will focus solely on Mid-Century Modern architecture!