Yamasaki in Detroit: A Search for Serenity (Painted Turtle Press)

About this book

Although his best-known project was the World Trade Center in New York City Japanese American architect Minoru Yamasaki (19121986) worked to create moments of surprise serenity and delight in distinctive buildings around the world. In his adopted home of Detroit where he lived and worked for the last half of his life Yamasaki produced many important designs that range from public buildings to offices and private residences. In Yamasaki in Detroit: A Search for Serenity author John Gallagher presents both a biography of Yamasakior Yama as he was knownand an examination of his working practices with an emphasis on the architects search for a style that would express his artistic goals. Gallagher explores Yamasakis drive to craft tranquil spaces amid bustling cities while other modernists favored "glass box" designs. He connects Yamasakis design philosophy to tumultuous personal experiences including the architects efforts to overcome poverty racial discrimination and his own inner demons. Yamasaki in Detroit surveys select projects spanning from the late 1940s to the end of Yamasakis life revealing the unique gardens pools plazas skylight atriums and other oases of respite in these buildings. Gallagher includes prominent works like the Michigan Consolidated Gas Building in downtown Detroit Temple Beth-El in Bloomfield Township and landmark buildings on the Wayne State University and College for Creative Studies campuses as well as smaller medical clinics office buildings and private homes (including Yamasakis own residence). Gallagher consults Yamasakis own autobiographical writings architects who worked with Yamasaki in his firm and photography from several historic archives to give a full picture of the architects work and motivations. Both knowledgeable fans of modernist architecture and general readers will enjoy Yamasaki in Detroit. Wayne State University Press gratefully acknowledges the organizations that generously supported the publication of this book: Friends of Modern and Contemporary Art Detroit Institute of Arts Yamasaki Inc. and The Office of the Vice President of Research (OVPR) of Wayne State University.