October 15, 2006
Saarinen Road Trip
I’m back from a honeymoon road trip that included a stop in Columbus, Indiana. What makes this little town (population 39,059) 40 miles south of Indianapolis so special is the architecture. In 1991, the American Institute of Architects surveyed 829 of its members and they ranked Columbus sixth among U.S. cities in architectural quality and innovation.
What started it all was the First Christian Church desgined by Eliel Saarinen in 1942. A wealthy businessman in the area agreed to pay the architect fees for public buildings if the entities selected from his list of preferred architects. This arrangement turned out to be quite advantageous to the town, which boasts buildings by many world renowned architects. There are two building, a bank and a church, designed by Eero Saarinen (um, anyone heard of the Arch?). We toured the North Christian Church, which he designed, and it was amazing. Even the parking lot was well designed with rows of gorgeous trees separating many small sublots of chat gravel—so one would feel like they were entering a little picnic place rather than a parking lot. The have a mall in the middle of town which you barely notice, which in my mind, is exactly how one would want a mall designed. It blends perfectly with the surroundings. Everything seemed so well planned—not in a “New Town St. Charles” sort of way—it was more organic and authentic. The town boasts 60+ buildings that are National Historic Landmarks, a huge Henry Moore sculpture in front of an I. M. Pei designed library, and a Chihuly chandelier in the visitor’s center—all big stuff for a small town.
Only 5-1/2 hours from St. Louis, it would make a great weekend trip. Especially in the fall. Visit their website.