DICHOTOMY 12: THE CHARLES L. FREER RESIDENCE

Thomas W. Brunk’s work, “Charles L. Freer Residence: Original Freer Gallery of Art” meticulously documents the story of residence Charles Freer built to house his art collection in Detroit. Freer’s syncretic thinking enabled indigenous Shingle Style structure, decorative scheme, and art collection to become fused in a manner uncommon in contemporary patronage. The author intertwines both architectural and social history to proffer the complete story of the Freer House and collection, and a valuable narrative of an intimate relationship between art and architecture. One is privy in these pages to debates between client, artists, and contractors on topics as broad ranging as materials, furnishings, garden plantings, costs, and even workers’ wages. Dr. Brunk’s work, the essence of which is the extraordinary act of making, transports the reader through the intricacies of the design and construction process, and into the life of a considered work of architecture. One discovers, herein, the sense of profound care that guided its creation.  

Contributor

Thomas W. Brunk, Ph.D.

Through Freer’s correspondence, the work illuminates Detroit’s history at the apogy of its transformation into an industrialized city. In one of the 1911 letters included by Dr. Brunk in this work, Freer wrote: “I am afraid of the old-time charm of Detroit as a resident city has almost completely feld… I, for one, however, do not feel like tearing up my present home in search of quieter surroundings at Grosse Pointe or any other place near our city.” Our reconsideration of Freer’s devotion to the city of Detroit and his commitment to build a home inside its boundaries is timely, as Detroit now rediscovers itself.  

This publication is possible  only through the dedication of Dichotomy’s editorial staff, Wayne Chubb, Rebecca Raleigh, and James Bell, who invested their time and talents to this issue with generosity and insight. The Dichotomy staff thanks the School of Architecture’s faculty, staff, and students for their support.

Team

Senior editor: Wayne E. Chubb 

Editors: James D. Bell, Rebecca Raleigh 

Associates: Charles Huber, Adrianna Melchior 

Faculty advisor: Janine Debanné