Unique Connections
Minoru Yamasaki
World-class architect, Minoru Yamasaki, was one of the most prominent architects of the 20th century. Most widely known for his design of New York's World Trade Center twin towers, many of his great works can be found in and around Detroit. Yamasaki was a second generation Japanese American, but very inspired and influenced by his Japanese roots. His design of the Wayne State U:niversity McGregor Center earned him the first honor award of the American Institute of Architects. The Michigan Consolidated Gas Company (now One Woodward Avenue) in downtown Detroit was his first high-rise. Temple Beth-El, WSU's DeRoy Auditorium and Prentis Hall, and Westland’s Quo Vadis Theater are just of few of the many Detroit area buidlings designed by Yamasaki.
McGregor Memorial Conference Center, Detroit
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Wayne State University's McGregor Memorial Conference Center was designed by Japanese-American architect, Minoru Yamasaki. Renowned for his hand in pioneering the New Formalism style of architecture, Yamasaki used expressive techniques in his designs for the building.
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Completed in 1958, McGregor Memorial Conference Center is a two-story structure built with white travertine.
The atrium in its center features a glass skylight which provides the open space with ample lighting. Triangular and diamond shapes were utilized in the construction of this building.
One Woodward Avenue, Detroit
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Built in 1962, the Detroit's One Woodward Avenue building was designed by Minoru Yamasaki and is located at the corner of Woodward Avenue and Jefferson Avenue.
Thirty-two stories high, One Woodward Avenue is considered to have been one of the model designs for the World Trade Center in New York.
Yamasaki stated that he designed the building with the intention of providing a view of downtown Detroit and its riverfront while alleviating the tendencies skyscrapers have to arouse feelings of acrophobia.
The 14th floor of One Woodward Avenue connects to the Guardian Building by means of a pedestrian skywalk bridge.