The story of a trailblazing Black architect and his unique Modernist house in Detroit
The house in Jefferson Chalmers was designed by Roger Margerum as his personal home.
Over on Detroit’s east side, tucked away in Jefferson Chalmers, is a delightfully unique Modernist house, designed by influential Black Modernist architect Roger Margerum as his personal home.
The 3,000-square-foot house at 430 Kitchener St. faces the street at a 45-degree angle and overlooks the Grayhaven Marina. It looks like nothing else in the neighborhood - or in the city, for that matter. The house is an ode to the 45-degree angle - even sitting on the lot at 45 degrees.
Margerum was known for his light-filled geometric designs, and for being an early trailblazer in a predominately white-dominated industry.
He was born May 14, 1930, in Chicago, and at age 10, signed up for Saturday classes at the Art Institute of Chicago. He attended DePaul University and received an architecture degree from the University of Illinois in 1955. …