During the midcentury period, Michigan attracted visionary architects, designers, and theorists, including Charles and Ray Eames, Minoru Yamasaki, Eero Saarinen, and Alexander Girard. While the terms modern and Grosse Pointe may seem antithetical, they merge seamlessly in Girard, who lived in Grosse Pointe with his family between the years 1937-53.

Much has been written about Girard’s vibrantly colored and patterned textiles for the Herman Miller furniture company. However, his design work in Michigan at midcentury — encompassing interior design, exhibition curation, and residential architecture – has never been fully explored. Perhaps surprisingly, Girard created his greatest architectural masterpieces in Grosse Pointe during the years 1947-51.

Using archival images, original Girard drawings and new photographs, Kawsky’s lecture will bring to life Girard’s exceptional Grosse Pointe architectural projects. Special focus will be placed on the John and Kathleen McLucas house, the sole-surviving private residence designed entirely by Girard, which was recently rediscovered and restored in consultation with Detroit design icon, Ruth Adler Schnee.

*Sponsored by the Grosse Pointe Historical Society as part of the Bicknell Lecture Series: