Customer Reviews

Alden B. Dow: Midwestern Modern

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This is a beautifully done book reviewing the life and work of Alden B. Dow, a prairie school architect based in Midland, Michigan. I grew up in Midland, so I'm very familiar with his excellent work. It is nice to see it all in beautiful pictures.

I wasn't familiar with this architect until my boyfriend "discovered" him. He does fantastic, contemporary work and this book really showed a great deal of his architectural gems in color. Excellent book.

The book details Mr Dow's career and life. It is a fine source of information about this regionally well known architect.

As an architect, I have enjoyed reading the life and times of a relatively unknown great architect, Alden B. Dow. The author, Diane Maddex, captures the essence of this modern architect influenced by science (Herbert Henry Dow, his father and founder of The Dow Chemical Company) and art as expressed by Japanese architecture and landscapes. Though Alden Dow "studied" with the well known Frank Lloyd Wright as one of the first fellows of the Taliesen experience in Spring Green, WS, Alden had his own ideas about orginal design. Mr. Dow's work is more empathetic with the clients than Mr. Wright and Mr. Dow's philosophy of HH&E (honesty, humility and enthusiasm) ring true even today. A very good read!

Full disclosure: Alden B. Dow, FAIA was my mentor. I grew up in one of his many homes in Midland, MI. Worked for his firm for ten years and was greatly influenced by his philosophy and approach to architectural design and the clients' particular needs.

In 1969 my grandfather finished building the house that I lived in from age 18-22, until I left Midland for the US Air Force. He moved to Florida and I kept up the house, it was amazing and beautiful in every way. Whenever someone would come over they would first be amazing with the beauty and architecture of the home and again that an 18 year old lived in this place with a friend. Everyone would ask me, "I didn't know you lived in a Dow house" and I would tell them that I didn't. My fathers father, Lawrence Sweebe, studied with him and built this house years later.

Larry is in this book, I am indeed VERY proud of him ad his accomplishments in Midland. These houses are pure artwork. Check out the book, it's on every page.