Herbert Henry Dow High School by Alden B. Dow
Just eight years after the opening of Midland High School, Alden B. Dow began the design of his second high school for his growing hometown.
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Just eight years after the opening of Midland High School, Alden B. Dow began the design of his second high school for his growing hometown.
The Clark T. Wells Residence, Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan
Mrs. Clark T. Wells expressed her wishes for a home for her husband and family in a letter to Alden B. Dow on December 3, 1939. “We have decided to abandon the idea of a one-story house. We feel that perhaps we can get more for our money and an extra room or two with two stories on at least part of the house.” A colored pencil presentation drawing dated January 10, 1940 shows a two-story house, as desired.
The Wells residence is situated on a corner lot in the gentle bend of the road. A brick retaining wall follows the curve of the street giving the 2480 square foot structure a raised appearance. The exterior is of the same brick as the wall, with Homasote panels under bands of windows on both levels. The façade is divided by a deep wood trellis that wraps around two sides of the house. The flat metal roof projects out beyond the walls and windows.
At the front door is a random arrangement of glass blocks set into the brick wall. The layout of the rooms follows the basically square footprint of the house. One steps into the living room from a brick entry foyer. The living room looks out onto the street with a linoleum-topped seat under the windows. Wood shelves line the adjacent plaster wall. The dining room features a wall of windows set above edge grain fir cabinets; drawings show a screened porch off the dining room.
The upper level contains four large bedrooms, the master bedroom being a combination bedroom and upstairs sitting room or study. In a letter accompanying the sketches Mr. Dow referred to a basement with a game room and fireplace that would be accessible from the main entry hall and from the garage.
The construction contract was signed in December 1940 for $16,097, and the house was substantially completed by the summer of 1941.
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