Image + Content ©Nicole Wrona
Michael H. Hodges’ presentation, ‘Standing on Albert Kahn’s Shoulders’ was a fascinating look at Albert Kahn- the man behind such architectural masterpieces as the Argonaut Building, Fisher Building, the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House and the Packard Plant.
Hodges, who writes for The Detroit News, delved into Kahn’s beginnings- as one of seven kids from Germany, to his hustlin' years that led to becoming an architect known as the face of modernity and influence in architecture. Not bad, Albert Kahn, not bad at all.
The stories spun by Hodges were interesting- he spoke of Khan disliking modernism- insulting his peers- le Corbusier and Walter Gropius, with his opinion about the subject. This led to Kahn basically being blackballed.
Kahn designed a slew of industrial buildings that, thanks to their famous owner- Henry Ford, were broadcast all over the world, leading Kahn to become well known by default. He designed everything from massive factories and skyscrapers to charming homes and greenhouses. Kahn designed almost 20% of all the factories in the United States. Like Whoa.
Kahn brushed elbows with illustrious families and the most influential artists of the time. He spent time with Eero Saarien and partied with Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo.
When all was said and done, Kahn had designed 500+ factories in the Soviet Union and thousands just for Henry Ford, not to mention all of the work commissioned by others.
Relatively unknown known outside of Michigan, he still holds the title, "Architect of Detroit,' which isn't bad for an OG in a two-bit town, hahahahaha.
If you can't get enough of Albert Kahn and his designs- check out the forthcoming book written by Michael Hodges, Building the Modern World: Albert Kahn in Detroit, comin' at ya Live! in April 2018!
Hodges, who writes for The Detroit News, delved into Kahn’s beginnings- as one of seven kids from Germany, to his hustlin' years that led to becoming an architect known as the face of modernity and influence in architecture. Not bad, Albert Kahn, not bad at all.
The stories spun by Hodges were interesting- he spoke of Khan disliking modernism- insulting his peers- le Corbusier and Walter Gropius, with his opinion about the subject. This led to Kahn basically being blackballed.
Kahn designed a slew of industrial buildings that, thanks to their famous owner- Henry Ford, were broadcast all over the world, leading Kahn to become well known by default. He designed everything from massive factories and skyscrapers to charming homes and greenhouses. Kahn designed almost 20% of all the factories in the United States. Like Whoa.
Kahn brushed elbows with illustrious families and the most influential artists of the time. He spent time with Eero Saarien and partied with Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo.
When all was said and done, Kahn had designed 500+ factories in the Soviet Union and thousands just for Henry Ford, not to mention all of the work commissioned by others.
Relatively unknown known outside of Michigan, he still holds the title, "Architect of Detroit,' which isn't bad for an OG in a two-bit town, hahahahaha.
If you can't get enough of Albert Kahn and his designs- check out the forthcoming book written by Michael Hodges, Building the Modern World: Albert Kahn in Detroit, comin' at ya Live! in April 2018!
