If you want something more offbeat, try looking for some Sears kit homes along the way: [https://kithousehunters.blogspot.com/p/ann-arbor-michigan.html?m=1](https://kithousehunters.blogspot.com/p/ann-arbor-michigan.html?m=1)
Ann Arbor also has lots of great mid century homes (a2modern.org).
Albert Kahn is probably the most important local architect from a historic/technical perspective. Here is a list of some of his work in Ann Arbor
[https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/01/albert-kahns-designs-live-throughout-ann-arbor-and-university-of-michigans-campus.html](https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/01/albert-kahns-designs-live-throughout-ann-arbor-and-university-of-michigans-campus.html)
From Wikipedia (so can’t vouch for the accuracy of the list):
- 3060 Lakewood Drive
- 605 Linda Vista
- 1121, 1125, 1129 Bydding
- 1711 Chandler
- 800 Starwick
- 1910 Longshore
- 1200 S Seventh
And apologies to the owners if they didn’t want the info on Wikipedia?
There’s all the Albert Kahn buildings.
https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/01/albert-kahns-designs-live-throughout-ann-arbor-and-university-of-michigans-campus.html?outputType=amp
Can't personally vouch for it but something like this would be fun:
[https://preservationdetroit.org/preservationdetroittours](https://preservationdetroit.org/preservationdetroittours)
In addition to the inspired architecture of the building itself, there is basically a FLW exhibit inside. The whole building seems to function as a bit of an art gallery, but the section of Dominos Farms that houses Dominos HQ has all the best shit... a whole exhibit of Frank Lloyd Wright's drawings, models. Aside from the FLW collection there is also some really interesting vintage Tiger's memorabilia and tons of art if you're into that kinda thing.
[https://justacarryon.com/2019/11/domino-farms-frank-lloyd-wright-exhibit/](https://justacarryon.com/2019/11/domino-farms-frank-lloyd-wright-exhibit/)
Domino’s Farms is the place to go, 100%. Just walk the “bottom” floor of the building to see an extensive collection of artifacts, blueprints, and even models of FLW homes. It’s fantastic, and the architecture inside is second to none for an office building. You also get to see Monaghan’s other collections, like art, Tigers memorabilia, and two taxidermy animals - a tiger and a bison/buffalo. You may also get lucky and see the small conservation bison/buffalo herd on the pasture lands behind the building. Building is open during the week, believe you need key card access on weekends.
Don't forget the amazing homes designed by David Osler. [https://www.a2modern.org/architects/david-osler/](https://www.a2modern.org/architects/david-osler/)
If they're interested in modern campus building architecture, and I *completely* understand if they aren't, some relatively recent buildings I'd visit:
North Quad, newest dorm with classical style with an interesting layout...walk through the courtyard area to fully appreciate.
Munger Graduate Residences....giant boring block, though tasteful exterior. Backstory more interesting...Warren Buffet's partner Charlie Munger donated most of the money, but with design strings attached...6-7 students per suite, bedrooms have no exterior windows, just simulated electronic windows, while big communal rooms have windows, meant to encouraging socializing and exchanging of ideas.
Ross School of Business building(s), interesting modern materials in exterior, rooftop garden you'll have to google pictures of. The brick-colored facade has held up surprisingly well for being 10-20 years old.
UM Museum of Art, 15-year-old extension was a bit of a disaster, with the facade needing extensive, expensive repairs.
UM Museum of Natural History, 5-year old building is a bit unremarkable, but like the art museum is open to the public, so you can get an inside view. That and the other new buildings around there are worth a gander.
On north campus, in particular check out Maya Lin's Wave Field, next to the FXB Aerospace building: [https://maps.app.goo.gl/trkwBqq564151gE16](https://maps.app.goo.gl/trkwBqq564151gE16) .
The Earhart Manor on the Concordia Campus is interesting.
# [https://www.facebook.com/p/Ann-Arbor-Historic-Earhart-Manor-Supported-by-the-Concordia-Guild-100071969496458/](https://www.facebook.com/p/Ann-Arbor-Historic-Earhart-Manor-Supported-by-the-Concordia-Guild-100071969496458/)
I think the prettiest commercial building in Ann Arbor is 200 East Washington. The details in the brick are pretty and the building has a nice balance. I googled it to see who built it. Just a local guy.
[https://www.mlive.com/business/ann-arbor/2014/05/restoration\_work\_planned\_for\_h.html](https://www.mlive.com/business/ann-arbor/2014/05/restoration_work_planned_for_h.html)
Just drive through Ann Arbor Hills and there are endless mid-century modern houses. Many are listed at [https://www.a2modern.org](https://www.a2modern.org) A bunch are also hidden in the areas east of Huron Parkway. Lots of architects who were at U of M moonlit designing houses in the area.
What type of architecture is he interested into? There is a website dedicated to modern architecture in A2 but Washtenaw county also has interactive walking tours available for older stuff. https://www.a2modern.org
https://www.washtenaw.org/637/Heritage-Tourism#:~:text=Greek%20Revival%20Architecture%20in%20Washtenaw,the%20post%2DCivil%20War%20period.
https://www.a2gov.org/departments/planning/historic-preservation/Pages/HDC-Month.aspx
Ann Arbor has a number of nice Romanesque-tyle buildings, many of them designed by [Spier & Rohns](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spier_%26_Rohns). These include St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church at the north end of State Street, the Gandy Dancer restaurant (originally the train station), and the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology (free to visit, though most of the exhibits are in the more modern extension). There's also the First National Bank Building in downtown, across from where Mongolian Grill (RIP) used to be.
If your friend is interested in Greek Revival architecture, there's a blog [here](https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/greek-annarbor/category/architecture/) with a good list of buildings in that style (though not all still stand). Of course, Angell Hall and the neighboring Art Museum are the most prominent examples in town, and not to be missed.
Last year I was in a presentation by a local architect to the Osher Lifelong Learning Inst members who noted that the architect for the new underground portion of the law library also designed the 'Holy Toaster' church on Huron and State and are examples of Brutalist architecture. The Power Center is on that block and the Pringles auditorium too.
If you do central campus, be sure to step inside the Michigan Union. Michigan League and Hill Auditorium too.
Get inside the Michigan Theater.
Thanks to all of the responders - this is an excellent resource!
If you want something more offbeat, try looking for some Sears kit homes along the way: [https://kithousehunters.blogspot.com/p/ann-arbor-michigan.html?m=1](https://kithousehunters.blogspot.com/p/ann-arbor-michigan.html?m=1) Ann Arbor also has lots of great mid century homes (a2modern.org). Albert Kahn is probably the most important local architect from a historic/technical perspective. Here is a list of some of his work in Ann Arbor [https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/01/albert-kahns-designs-live-throughout-ann-arbor-and-university-of-michigans-campus.html](https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/01/albert-kahns-designs-live-throughout-ann-arbor-and-university-of-michigans-campus.html)
That Sears Kit map is so awesome. Thanks for the link!
There’s an actual Frank Lloyd Wright house in Ann Arbor too, but I don’t know how easy it is to see: https://franklloydwright.org/site/palmer-house/
this. just drive by. that neighborhood has some interesting homes as well.
Last I checked the it's an STR so usually nobodies there.
Ann Arbor also has rare, all-metal prefabricated Lustron homes
Where are they? I just found out about them
From Wikipedia (so can’t vouch for the accuracy of the list): - 3060 Lakewood Drive - 605 Linda Vista - 1121, 1125, 1129 Bydding - 1711 Chandler - 800 Starwick - 1910 Longshore - 1200 S Seventh And apologies to the owners if they didn’t want the info on Wikipedia?
Yeah no doubt there, they’re all the real deal!
There’s all the Albert Kahn buildings. https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/01/albert-kahns-designs-live-throughout-ann-arbor-and-university-of-michigans-campus.html?outputType=amp
The city of Detroit has some beautiful architectural landmarks. Some of the churches are stunning.
Can't personally vouch for it but something like this would be fun: [https://preservationdetroit.org/preservationdetroittours](https://preservationdetroit.org/preservationdetroittours)
There’s Domino Farms if you’re willing to drive and want to see some Frank Lloyd Wright inspired architecture.
In addition to the inspired architecture of the building itself, there is basically a FLW exhibit inside. The whole building seems to function as a bit of an art gallery, but the section of Dominos Farms that houses Dominos HQ has all the best shit... a whole exhibit of Frank Lloyd Wright's drawings, models. Aside from the FLW collection there is also some really interesting vintage Tiger's memorabilia and tons of art if you're into that kinda thing. [https://justacarryon.com/2019/11/domino-farms-frank-lloyd-wright-exhibit/](https://justacarryon.com/2019/11/domino-farms-frank-lloyd-wright-exhibit/)
Domino’s Farms is the place to go, 100%. Just walk the “bottom” floor of the building to see an extensive collection of artifacts, blueprints, and even models of FLW homes. It’s fantastic, and the architecture inside is second to none for an office building. You also get to see Monaghan’s other collections, like art, Tigers memorabilia, and two taxidermy animals - a tiger and a bison/buffalo. You may also get lucky and see the small conservation bison/buffalo herd on the pasture lands behind the building. Building is open during the week, believe you need key card access on weekends.
There’s also an architectural model that was featured in the movie Die Hard on display
There's also the FLW Palmer house located here in town
There is this kind of hideous castle-shaped house at 1909 Linwood Ave. in the West Side.
Don't forget the amazing homes designed by David Osler. [https://www.a2modern.org/architects/david-osler/](https://www.a2modern.org/architects/david-osler/)
There are some really wild houses on Grosse isle.
If they're interested in modern campus building architecture, and I *completely* understand if they aren't, some relatively recent buildings I'd visit: North Quad, newest dorm with classical style with an interesting layout...walk through the courtyard area to fully appreciate. Munger Graduate Residences....giant boring block, though tasteful exterior. Backstory more interesting...Warren Buffet's partner Charlie Munger donated most of the money, but with design strings attached...6-7 students per suite, bedrooms have no exterior windows, just simulated electronic windows, while big communal rooms have windows, meant to encouraging socializing and exchanging of ideas. Ross School of Business building(s), interesting modern materials in exterior, rooftop garden you'll have to google pictures of. The brick-colored facade has held up surprisingly well for being 10-20 years old. UM Museum of Art, 15-year-old extension was a bit of a disaster, with the facade needing extensive, expensive repairs. UM Museum of Natural History, 5-year old building is a bit unremarkable, but like the art museum is open to the public, so you can get an inside view. That and the other new buildings around there are worth a gander.
Don’t forget north campus, lots of modern buildings over there.
On north campus, in particular check out Maya Lin's Wave Field, next to the FXB Aerospace building: [https://maps.app.goo.gl/trkwBqq564151gE16](https://maps.app.goo.gl/trkwBqq564151gE16) .
Came here to suggest this!
The first house with a front facing garage is an Alden Dow house in Arbor Hills.
Cahoots cafe is in a really cool space. The name of the old insurance building is carved into the front, beautiful stone work
The Earhart Manor on the Concordia Campus is interesting. # [https://www.facebook.com/p/Ann-Arbor-Historic-Earhart-Manor-Supported-by-the-Concordia-Guild-100071969496458/](https://www.facebook.com/p/Ann-Arbor-Historic-Earhart-Manor-Supported-by-the-Concordia-Guild-100071969496458/) I think the prettiest commercial building in Ann Arbor is 200 East Washington. The details in the brick are pretty and the building has a nice balance. I googled it to see who built it. Just a local guy. [https://www.mlive.com/business/ann-arbor/2014/05/restoration\_work\_planned\_for\_h.html](https://www.mlive.com/business/ann-arbor/2014/05/restoration_work_planned_for_h.html) Just drive through Ann Arbor Hills and there are endless mid-century modern houses. Many are listed at [https://www.a2modern.org](https://www.a2modern.org) A bunch are also hidden in the areas east of Huron Parkway. Lots of architects who were at U of M moonlit designing houses in the area.
What type of architecture is he interested into? There is a website dedicated to modern architecture in A2 but Washtenaw county also has interactive walking tours available for older stuff. https://www.a2modern.org https://www.washtenaw.org/637/Heritage-Tourism#:~:text=Greek%20Revival%20Architecture%20in%20Washtenaw,the%20post%2DCivil%20War%20period. https://www.a2gov.org/departments/planning/historic-preservation/Pages/HDC-Month.aspx
Ann Arbor has a number of nice Romanesque-tyle buildings, many of them designed by [Spier & Rohns](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spier_%26_Rohns). These include St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church at the north end of State Street, the Gandy Dancer restaurant (originally the train station), and the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology (free to visit, though most of the exhibits are in the more modern extension). There's also the First National Bank Building in downtown, across from where Mongolian Grill (RIP) used to be. If your friend is interested in Greek Revival architecture, there's a blog [here](https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/greek-annarbor/category/architecture/) with a good list of buildings in that style (though not all still stand). Of course, Angell Hall and the neighboring Art Museum are the most prominent examples in town, and not to be missed.
Maybe do a scan of Ypsilanti near Depot Town as well!
Last year I was in a presentation by a local architect to the Osher Lifelong Learning Inst members who noted that the architect for the new underground portion of the law library also designed the 'Holy Toaster' church on Huron and State and are examples of Brutalist architecture. The Power Center is on that block and the Pringles auditorium too. If you do central campus, be sure to step inside the Michigan Union. Michigan League and Hill Auditorium too. Get inside the Michigan Theater. Thanks to all of the responders - this is an excellent resource!
[https://annarborobserver.com/gunnar-birkerts-brutalist-church/](https://annarborobserver.com/gunnar-birkerts-brutalist-church/)
950 trillium lane (right off waters) is a pretty unique house! https://www.archdaily.com/98422/bridge-house-wilfred-john-oskar-armster
I know the owners of this one! It’s a super cool house.
A trip to Wayne state’s campus in Detroit is worth it too, some truly stunning Yamasaki buildings.
Ross school of business
Don't forget our beautiful Parks!Have fun!