Michigan, often overlooked in discussions of architectural brilliance, is taking center stage in Peter Forguson’s latest book, “Contemporary Michigan: Iconic Houses at the Epicenter of Modernism.”
This follow-up to his 2022 bestseller, “Detroit Modern: 1935-1985,” offers a comprehensive exploration of Michigan’s modernist residential architecture from 1910 to the present day.
Forguson, a landscape designer based in metropolitan Detroit, has dedicated his career to documenting the state’s modern architectural treasures.
“Residents of Detroit, and indeed the entire state of Michigan, have been living with some of the finest work by such Modern masters as Frank Lloyd Wright, Mies van der Rohe, and Eliel Saarinen since the dawn of the 20th century,” he said.
His fascination with these homes led to “Detroit Modern,” which sold out within nine months. Encouraged by its success, Forguson expanded his focus to include residences across the lower peninsula.
The journey to compile “Contemporary Michigan” was extensive. Forguson scoured archives, consulted scholars and even explored Michigan’s coastlines and university towns in search of architectural marvels. The book features over 100 homes, including the Alden B. Dow Home & Studio in Midland, Frank Lloyd Wright’s visionary Broadacre Community homes, and a lakeside vacation retreat commissioned by the Briggs family.
Each home is paired with vintage automobiles, allowing readers to trace the evolution of auto design alongside modernist architecture. Forguson’s attention to detail is supported by photographer Jason Grube and graphic designer Marla Meltzer, who helped bring the book to life despite challenges such as coordinating shoots across hundreds of miles.
Why Michigan?
Forguson is adamant that Michigan is an architectural powerhouse.
“What outsiders have yet to discover is that Michigan’s contributions to the modern aesthetic are unparalleled,” he said. “Institutions like Cranbrook, the University of Michigan and Lawrence Tech have fostered world-renowned architects and designers, from Eliel and Eero Saarinen to Charles and Ray Eames”.
Forguson emphasizes that Michigan’s heritage extends beyond architecture, encompassing industrial design, decorative arts and even boat building.
“In this book, you will see houses situated in a host of different settings, such as: located in a long-standing densely populated neighborhood of revival-style houses, growing from a hillside overlooking a stream in the suburbs, nestled into a postwar subdivision in a university town, or projecting from a bluff suspended high above Lake Michigan,” Forguson said. “All of these scenarios have come to life thanks to the vision of intrepid clients and architects who collaborated to challenge traditionalists and create unique masterpieces of modern domestic design.”
The book is dedicated to Don Paul Young, a Frank Lloyd Wright disciple and prolific Michigan architect who died in 2024 at 97. Forguson describes Young as a “treasure” whose work brought the Prairie Style full circle in Michigan.
“Throughout his seven-decade career, Don created modernist spaces that stood the test of time while honoring his deep roots in the organic nature of the Prairie School,” Forguson said.
Both of Forguson’s books are available at peterforguson.com.
For those who have long admired Michigan’s unique contributions to modernism — or are just discovering its architectural riches — “Contemporary Michigan” promises to be a visual and historical feast.
“I hope readers will gain an appreciation for how lives are enriched through architecture by taking full advantage of the seamlessly unlimited natural splendor of the state of Michigan,” Forguson said.
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