Toshach & Sobczak Associates, Inc.
Prine, Toshach & Speers
Daniel W. Toshach (Born 1928, Saginaw, Michigan; died 1992, Saginaw, Michigan)
William A. Spears (Born 1915, Waukenee, Illinois; died 1999, Houghton Lake, Michigan)
In 1953, after receiving a Master of Architecture and a Bachelor of Arts from Yale University, Daniel W. Toshach, returned to the Saginaw area. He worked for various Saginaw and Midland architectural firms, including Alden B. Dow in Midland. In 1957, he entered into individual practice, and in 1961 he became the principal in Prine Toshach Spears, Architect and Engineers, Inc. In 1973 the firm became Prine, Toshach Associates, Architects and Engineers. Inc., Saginaw. In 1977, it was reorganized as Toshach and Sobczak Associates. In 1991, the firm was merged with Spence Smith and Forsythe to become Toshach, Sobczak, Spence and Forsythe, Architects, Project Managers and Planners, Inc.1
Modern architecture flourished in Saginaw in the years following World-War II. One of Saginaw’s notable mid-twentieth century designers was Daniel W. Toshach and the firms with which he was associated. Buildings designed by him are located throughout the city. However, on South Jefferson Avenue, Toshach is represented by his work on two landmark buildings - the restoration of the fire-ravaged First Congregational Church and the adaptation of the Castle building for use as a Museum. Stuart Gross in his book, Saginaw: A History of the Land and the City, described the firm’s commitment to both historic preservation and contemporary design. Rather than being opposing philosophies, Gross stressed that the firm embraced the diversity and continuity found in the juxtaposition of buildings from the past and present. Together they create a richly textured, dynamic and vital city.2
Representative Work:
Saginaw:
Restoration of First Congregational Church
Conversion of United States Post Office to the Castle Museum of Saginaw County History
Swan Valley High School
Addition to Second National Bank
Sources
1Daniel Wilkie Toshach, The Saginaw News. 17 August 1992. D-7.
2Stuart D. Gross. Saginaw: A History of the Land and the City. Woodland Hills, California: Windsor Publications. 1980. 191.
William A. Spears, The Saginaw News, 22 December 1999, C-9.
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