Great Lakes Region Reynolds Headquarters Building

Great Lakes Region Reynolds Headquarters Building

Lawrence Technological University

December 16, 2014

Reynolds Metals Building

Yamasaki, Minoru

O’Connor, Thomas (photograph)

American

Single Built Works

April, 1965

Michigan (state)

Southfield (inhabited place)

Mid-Century Modernist

office buildings

Exterior view of the Reynolds Metals office building in Southfield, Michigan. "The Great Lakes Region Reynolds Headquarters Building, located in Southfield, Michigan, is a multi-story office building constructed in 1959. The building featured gold anodized aluminum screens in front of a glass curtain wall. When constructed, the building was surrounded by a water feature similar to those found in several of Yamasaki’s other buildings ... Columns surrounding the building hold up the aluminum brise soleil, permanent sun screens, which were popular at the time with Modernist architects such as Le Corbusier. On the interior of the building, the first level is a completely open party space with large diamond-shaped skylights, allowing for grand gatherings to show off the power of Reynolds Aluminum to potential clients. As the sun would change over the day, the changing shadows from the brise soleil create intricate patterns along the marble floors and walls. Light also reflects off the aluminum onto the floor and walls of the party space creating an ephemeral atmosphere. On the second and third floor, offices are arranged around this open space to allow light to radiate into the first floor from all angles,"--Michigan Modern website.

aluminum (metal)

reinforced concrete

jpeg

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LTU-TO-018