For four decades, R.S. Gerganoff was a prolific architect who helped shape the skyline across eastern Michigan, where he designed numerous buildings in Ann Arbor including the Wolverine Building, the Greek Orthodox Church, and the Kingsley Apartments. In and around Ypsilanti, he also designed the Salvation Army headquarters, the Washtenaw County Building, Cleary College, dozens of public schools, fire stations, Beyer Memorial Hospital, numerous businesses including Davis Motor Cars and the Huron Hotel, churches, union halls, and many factories. He also designed several buildings at Eastern Michigan University, including the President’s Home, the 1938 football stadium, residence halls, and the Rackham School for Handicapped Children.

Gerganoff also designed numerous private residences such as this home. Historians observe that, like his contemporary Frank Lloyd Wright, Gerganoff also favored built-in drawers and other storage to minimize clutter and the need for furniture while also keeping the focus on views of nature through large banks of windows.

After World War II, R.S. Gerganoff brought two nephews over from Bulgaria and trained them in his architectural practice; both contributed to International Style and Mid-Century Modern designs in the 1950s and 60s. Gerganoff’s contributions to Michigan architecture are still studied by historians, and a collection of Gerganoff’s work is held at the University of Michigan Library.