Public Speaking

Upcoming Speaking Dates

July 18 (7:00pm) Chicago Maritime Museum

September 16 (7:00pm)  Royal Oak Public Library  

September 29 (7:00pm)  Birmingham Baldwin Public Library  

October 8 (6:00pm)  East Lansing Public Library  

October 28 (7:00pm)  Livonia Public Library 

November 6 (6:30pm)  Hamburg Township Public Library

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Library Program Options

Architecture of the Upper Peninsula is a visual tour of the region's architecture, from historic landmarks to hidden architectural gems. The heavily visual lecture and slideshow features the speaker's own photos as well as archival images, using architecture as a means to explore the history of industry, labor, and immigration in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Up North: An Architecture Road Trip takes the audience on a tour along the northern coast of Michigan's Lower Peninsula, exploring the architecture and history of Michiganders' beloved Up North. This visual slideshow and lecture covers everything from early Victorian resorts to hidden gems of modern architecture, offering new travel destinations for even the most seasoned Michigan traveler. 

West Michigan: An Architecture Road Trip takes the audience on a tour through the Western part of the state, exploring the architecture and history of major cities like Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo as well as the region's many historic small towns.

Ohio Art Deco is a comprehensive look at the legacy of Art Deco architecture in Ohio, using photos to explore the buildings, architects, and designers that shaped the state during its heyday in the Roaring Twenties. This presentation covers every region of Ohio and all its major cities, from Art Deco skyscrapers to New Deal public works to small town cinemas and everything in between.

Oakland County Modern explores the architecture and planning in Oakland County during its rapid growth after World War II, as an exceptional example of the historic and cultural forces that shaped suburbs across the country. This talk will look at buildings by famous architects such as Minoru Yamasaki, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Eero Saarinen, as well as the many talented local architects that have been overlooked by history.




Presenter Bio

Josh Lipnik is a Detroit-based architectural photographer, speaker, and writer who runs the social media account Midwest Modern, where he documents the architecture and built environment of Michigan and the greater Midwest. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan Taubman College of Architecture and his work has been featured in outlets including Chicago Reader, Belt Magazine, and the Financial Times.