James R. Bronkema, born in 1925 in Grand Rapids, Mich., was an architect well known for his mid-century modern style. In 1942 he attended Calvin College and in 1943 he enlisted in the Navy. He served as a pilot delivering planes to combat zones. When he returned from the war, Bronkema originally planned to become a dentist but went into his father's real estate business instead. The first home he built was for himself and his growing family at 1809 Leonard Street Northwest in 1947. It cost $7,800 to build and Bronkema had to use street paving stones in the construction as bricks were not available after World War II.

A self-taught architect and builder, Bronkema designed and built more than 150 contemporary homes and office buildings between 1947 and 1960. The best examples can be found in the Riverside Park neighborhood on the city’s northeast side and on Fultonwood Avenue SE. His modern style of homes were moderately priced and designed with large, naturally lit spaces. In the late 1940s, he became the youngest president of the Grand Rapids Area Home Builders Association at age 25.

In 1960, Bronkema moved to Florida and finally settled in San Fransisco in 1970 where he oversaw the development of Embarcadero Center. He remained on the board of the Embarcadero Center until he retired in 1989. In 1987 he chaired the committee tasked with celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge. He died in 2014 at the age of 89 in Palm Springs California.

Citations:

Harger, J. (2014, February 28). Pioneer of mid-century modern architecture in West Michigan dead at age 89. Retrieved August 12, 2018, from https://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2014/02/james_bronkema_pioneer_of_mid-.html

Ripma-Tignor, -. (n.d.). James Robert "Jim" Bronkema's Obituary on Grand Rapids Press. Retrieved August 12, 2018, from https://obits.mlive.com/obituaries/grandrapids/obituary.aspx?n=james-robert-bronkema-jim&pid=169998294