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The Alden B. Dow Home & Studio
By Chris Erickson
January 07, 2000
 | | The outside entrance from the Alden B. Dow House fits in with the surrounding landscape;part of organic architecture. |
As one of the many architectural buildings of Midland, the Alden B. Dow Home and Studio is by far one of the most interesting and fascinating.
Alden B. Dow was born in Midland to Grace A. and Herbert H. Dow, founder of The Dow Chemical Company. He studied under the great architect Frank Lloyd Wright at Taliesin in Wisconsin. After spending time under Frank Lloyd Wright, he returned to Midland where he designed homes, churches, schools, business complexes and art and civic centers.
Inside the home and studio, visitors sense the architectural genius that Alden B. Dow possessed. Following the influence of Frank Lloyd Wright and the knowledge at Taliesin, Alden B. Dow designed his buildings to fit in with nature rather than stand out and look as if they were separate. Built on a pond, the residence seems to melt into the water and gives visitors a unique view from the inside. Every aspect of the home was carefully thought out. The entrance was purposely built with a low ceiling, because Alden B. Dow thought that visitors should not dwell in the entrance. By making a low ceiling, the entrance forces people to walk farther into the house. It is things like this that make the home and studio absorbing and truly one of a kind.
 | | The home is built on a pond and is visible through The Dow Gardens |
Tours of The Home and Studio are available on Fridays at 10 a.m. and 2p.m., and at 10 a.m. on Saturdays. The cost of this tour is $10 for adults and $5 for students. Reservations are necessary and can be arranged by calling the Alden B. Dow Home and Studio at (989) 839-2744 or visiting their website.
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