Alden Dow was born in Midland, Michigan on April 10, 1904, to Herbert Henry and Grace A. (Ball) Dow. From his father, who founded The Dow Chemical Company, came his pioneer spirit. From both his parents came the love of beauty, as expressed in flowers, nature and landscaping, the desire to innovate and search for the inter-reactions which led to the development of 'ideas of quality', and the qualities of leadership which were to be an inspiration to so many whose lives he would influence.

Alden Dow c1912

Carl VanWinkle, Alden Dow, Margaret Dow, Loretta Macomber, Dorothy Dow c1912

   Early Life

Early in his life, Alden Dow developed an interest in design and in the motion and rhythm of the world around him. Floor plans, model trains, recording his world through his movie camera . . . all captivated and held his interest.

As a young boy, Alden and his two younger sisters, Margaret & Dorothy, would design floor plans with leaves out in their yard. According to Alden's youngest sister Dorothy, a friend asked Alden Dow what he wanted to be when he grew up. Alden, only 8 years old, replied without hesitation, "An architect, of course."

He attended the Midland Public Schools and following the custom of the day was sent to the University of Michigan to study engineering in preparation to enter his father's company.
But he found his interests lay in a different direction and after three years Mr. Dow became a student of architecture at Columbia University. He graduated in 1931.

Alden Dow was married to Vada Bennett in 1931, daughter of Earl Bennett (another of The Dow Chemical Company's great pioneers). Alden & Vada had three children: Michael Lloyd, Mary Lloyd, now Mrs. Kendall Mills Jr., and Barbara Alden, now Mrs. Peter J. Carras. There are eight grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren as of 2005.

Frank Lloyd Wright with Vada Dow during Taliesin Fellowship, 1933

After a year and a half association with the offices of architects Frantz and Spence of Saginaw, Michigan, Alden and Vada Dow spent a memorable summer (1933) with Frank Lloyd Wright at Taliesin in Spring Green, Wisconsin. It was here that Alden met his kindred spirit: Frank Lloyd Wright, who shared his interest in nature ... in the relationships of structural systems and materials to a design ... and the effect of a building as an environment upon those living in it.

   Starting His Own Firm

Returning to Midland, Michigan - Mr. Dow opened his architectural office in 1934 in a studio of his own design. Designed with "honesty, humility and enthusiasm," three of the guiding principles which were to become inherent in all his future works, the building is acknowledged to be a classic in the successful and delicate blending of landscape and architecture. The list of architects who have received their training under his guidance in this studio is a long one.

Alden Dow at Drafting Board

In November 1941 the firm of Alden B. Dow, Inc. was formed with Mr. Dow as president and treasurer. In 1963 the name was changed to Alden B. Dow Associates, Inc.

Alden Dow's early work was primarily in the residential field. His own unique system of Unit Block construction dominated his homes of the 1930s. At the 1937 Paris International Exposition he was awarded the "Diplome de Grand Prix" for the best residential design in the world in recognition for the John Whitman residence and his own home and studio design. In subsequent decades new materials and new styles were developed. His ability to work harmoniously with clients resulted in homes that were personal reflections of the client, yet distinctly Dow's.

Michael, Mary Lloyd, Barbara Dow on shelves in Lake Jackson, TX c1943

In addition to over sixty homes in Midland, Michigan, Alden Dow designed many residences in other parts of the United States. He was a registered architect in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Illnois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas. During World War II he designed and personally supervised the construction of the entire town of Lake Jackson, Texas.

  Religious/Educational/Civic/Commercial Structures

In a remarkable co-operative effort with the congregation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Alden Dow designed his first religious building in 1941. To quote him: "Grouped around the drafting board, the building committee and I designed the church as it is today, each member contributing his share."

In subsequent years he designed churches and their furnishings for a variety of faiths, believing that churches should provide an atmosphere for the growth and involvement of the members. He transformed church architecture by combining the best of tradition with a new freshness in the extravagant use of light, color and natural plantings. The First United Methodist Church of Midland was the only religious building to receive an award of merit at the Eighth Annual National Honor Awards of the American Institute of Architecture in 1958. Since that time a number of his churches have received honors and awards and his church architecture has been featured in a number of university and museum exhibitions.

Photo Gallery of Dow Designs Whitman Residence First Methodist St. John's Lutheran Muskegon College Ann Arbor City Hall Phoenix Civic Center John Riecker Residence>

Dow designed many educational buildings from elementary, intermediate and high school levels to entire college campuses. Northwood University is a notable example of his campus master planning.

His special interest in landscape and his distinctive concern for nature is manifest in his educational complexes. Outstanding examples include Muskegon Community College where buildings span an existing stream, the campus at Interlochen Arts Academy located in the forested hills of northern Michigan, and the Botanical Gardens designed for the University of Michigan.

His architecture encompasses a wide variety of other building uses and settings. To name only a few examples of his public and civic buildings: the Midland Hospital, built in 1943 around a courtyard garden; the Ann Arbor City Hall, Library and Community Center; the Phoenix Civic Center and Art Museum in Arizona; the Henry McMorran Auditorium and Sports Arena in Port Huron, Michigan; and the Kalamazoo Nature Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Outstanding among his business and professional buildings are the original The Dow Chemical Company administrative building (1937) and the more recent Dow Center complex; the University Microfilms building in Ann Arbor, and the Chemical Bank and Trust Company in Midland.

It is particularly fortunate for Midland that Alden Dow chose to remain in his home town. Through his concern for the landscape, his unique buildings and their settings and the ever-evolving Dow Gardens, he provided a living exhibition of outstanding architectural quality. The foresight and enthusiasm of Mr. Dow and his family have enhanced the life of the citizens with opportunities unmatched by communities of similar size in the United States.

Midland is known for its beautiful homes and churches. In addition, most Midland school children study and learn in Alden Dow's buildings and many of their parents work in Dow-designed offices, civic or commercial buildings and scientific laboratories. Using their own talents and resources people gathered in groups of similar interest, developing lively participation in music, theater, literary, art, and sports organizations. These were centered wherever space could be found.

Today, Midland has facilities for such enthusiasts of which many a larger city would be proud. The leadership of Mr. Dow and his family has been of great inspiration in their development. Of particular mention are the Midland Community Center for indoor and outdoor sports, group activities and classes; the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library and the Midland Center for the Arts. These structures are important to Midland not only because of their architectural exteriors, but more importantly what takes place on the inside.

  Books and Publications

Alden Dow contributed to a number of publications and books. His own book "Reflections," published in 1970 by Northwood University, explains his personal and professional philosophies and includes photographs of all phases of his architecture. "Reflections" is not available for sale, however a copy is on file in the Alden B. Dow Archives.

Two publications relate to his "A Way of Life Cycle" philosophy: a colorful brochure which visually represents his thoughts; a booklet which offers an in-depth examination.

A 21-page black and white pamphlet, "Composed Order: The Architecture of Alden B. Dow," describes verbally and visually his architectural philosophy, "...the arrangement of qualities into their most effective form" and "...separate parts put together so that each part contributes the most to the others."

Lavishly illustrated, "Alden B. Dow: Midwestern Modern", is a 240 page coffee table book of exqusite organic architecture. This book guides you effortlessly through Alden Dow's early life, his education, his time spent at Taliesin and his early architectural work, including a large section on Dow's own home and studio. In addition, the book highlights The Dow Chemical Company and The Dow Gardens as well as Dow's own philosophy. The author, Diane Maddex, provides a wonderful opportunity to reintroduce Alden Dow to those that know of him and introduce him to those that have not had the opportunity, while Robert Wiser, the book's designer, provides a beautiful visual experience from start to finish.

This book is available at the Home and Studio, various Midland locations and has been distrubuted national by W.W. Norton & Company.

In addition, a book about his life and work, "The Architecture of Alden B. Dow" was written by Sidney K. Robinson and published by Wayne State Press in 1983. A hardcover edition was reprinted in 2000 and is currently for sale at the Alden B. Dow Home and Studio.

His work has been featured in Life, Time, House Beautiful, House and Home, Horizons, Architectural Forum, Architectural Record and other architectural and professional journals. These periodicals and journals are on file in the Alden B. Dow Archives.

  Awards

In recognition of his achievements in architecture and educational leadership endeavors, Alden B. Dow received honorary degrees from Albion College, Hillsdale College, Michigan State University, Northwood University and the University of Michigan.

Olgivanna Wright and Alden B. Dow 1982

In 1957, Alden Dow became a Fellow in the American Institute of Architects for his "notable contributions to the advancement of his profession by way of his achievement in design."

The Michigan Society of Architects, which he served as president in 1949, awarded him their Gold Medal for 1960.

The Northwood University Alden B. Dow Creativity Center was founded in 1978 to honor and perpetuate his commitment to quality and innovation.

His selection in 1982 as the first recipient of the Frank Lloyd Wright Creativity Award reflects his enduring commitment to creativity. The award was fittingly inscribed: ". . . for a life whose creative achievements have changed the world, and whose concerned efforts have helped others to better realize their creative potential."

Architect Laureate

In 1983, crowning the achievements of his fifty year career, Alden Dow was named Architect Laureate of his home state of Michigan. To date, he is the only architect in Michigan to receive this award.

At age seventy-nine, Alden Dow died on August 20,1983. A beautiful service was held in the Dow Gardens in final tribute to this most remarkable man.

Throughout his life, Alden Dow believed that the most remarkable aspect about human beings was each individuals' uniqueness from all others. Each of us has the ability to "think" and "do" things uniquely from one another. His philosophy "A Way of Life Cycle" is a statement of belief in all humanity and our need and desire to be constantly striving to improve the quality of life for ourselves, those around us, and most importantly, future generations.

 A Way of Life Cycle

A Way of Life Cycle starts with a person's individualism. In every way the individual is unique. The way I think is not exactly the way you think. The way I do is not exactly the way you do. Our unique abilities, when put together, naturally create something new...this is called creativity. First you compose all the facts and all the feelings into an expression. The problem is to make that expression constructive, not destructive. To accomplish this you screen the expression for honesty, the give-and-take of humility and the vitality of enthusiasm. Thus, expressions are developed. Evaluation and appreciation of these new expressions discourages the destructive and encourages the constructive. The results are even finer standards of new expressions. Thus we continue to travel around the Way of Life Cycle -- forever improving, forever growing.

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