Originally Posted by
Jason
For the Penobscot and Guardian, Wirt Rowland was the head designer of the local firm that did a huge volume of work, and he did a competent job of executing the styles of his time. But he didn't move architecture forward and didn't even really interact with the architecture world outside of Michigan. An important art deco architect would be someone like Raymond Hood. I personally think the Guardian Building, and the Penobscot to a lesser degree, are excellent examples of art deco. But in the art deco books I've seen, a bunch of art deco buildings always make the cut and the Guardian building doesn't. I think it's been underrated but since those books were published I think the guardian building has become more recognized.