25 must-see buildings in Michigan

Michigan has a dynamic architectural heritage stemming from the state’s great contribution to design. From automobiles to furniture design, Michigan has an impressive building stock that spans from the late 19th century to the current day. Michigan’s architectural story is a rich canvas of works including those by impressive local architects as well as 20th-century masters including Alden B. Dow, Albert Kahn, Eliel and Eero Saarinen, Mies van der Rohe, Frank Lloyd Wright, Minoru Yamasaki and Zaha Hadid. 

The American Institute of Architects Michigan members have compiled a list of “must-see” buildings, an homage to the state’s impressive built environment. From buildings in world-class cities and university towns to historic mining villages, coastal communities and more than 3,000 miles of coastline dotted with lighthouses, a list limited to 25 buildings is simply a teaser of the architectural story of Michigan.

See the slideshow above for a photo tour of Michigan’s most noteworthy public buildings, historic houses, museums and more. Like the Michigan motto says, si quaeris peninsulam amoenam circumspice – if you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you.

Contributors: Daniel E. Bollman, AIA; Kurt Neiswender, AIA; Bryan LIjewski, AIA; David Lenz, AIA; Matt Slagle, AIA; Daniel E. Bollman, AIA; Eric Biller, AIA; Charles Bultman, AIA; Jen Waugh, AIA; Amanda Harrell-Seyburn, Associate AIA; Rebecca Kaiser