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Glenn Tsutumu Arai
(1925-1998) was a Japanese-American architect in Northern Michigan. Arai believed in designing modernist structures that were in harmony with their environment. He shared an environment-informed design ethos similar to Alden B. Dow and Frank Lloyd Wright.



Career
Throughout the 1960’s through the 1990's, Arai designed modernist residential homes and commercial buildings from his studio in Suttons Bay, Michigan. His work is seen throughout Northern Michigan in Traverse City, Frankfurt, Old Mission Peninsula, and Leelanau Peninsula.

Architectural style
Larry Graves, Leelanau County Architect and former Arai colleague described Arai’s design philosophy: “With each design, he exploited the inherent qualities of its site as well as its vistas. Interior/exterior relationships were enhanced. Interior volumes were often complex and interrelated in all dimensions, while the exteriors of his homes were generally simple and unpretentious. Glenn kept his vocabulary of materials limited. The richness of those materials and his mastery of detailing, proportion and scale all contribute to warm and yet stimulating environments which are as satisfying today as they were when originally constructed.”

Preservation
Arai’s architecture was featured in Traverse City’s Distinctive Architecture Home Tour of 2011. Efforts are currently being made to create an association of Arai homeowners to promote preservation and appreciation of Arai’s work.