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Rating: Summary: Very Good Overview of the Architecture of Columbus, Indiana Review: This book should be on the bookshelf of anyone interested in architectural history in the United States. Little known Columbus, Indiana is one of the most progressive of all American cities architecturally, largely due to the benevolence of the Cummins Engine Company. Cummins, one of the largest employers in the area, set up a grant of money whereby nationally renowned architects would come in and design the major public buildings of Columbus, with Cummins footing the bill for the architecture. This more that anything accounts for the proliferation of beautiful structures throughout the city. My personal favorite works are the churches and schools. The churches, particularly the North Christian Church on Tipton Lane, are absolutely unique and magnificent. The North Christian Church (1964) was the last building designed by famed architect Eero Saarinen before his death. It is one of two churches by Saarinen in Columbus, the other being the First Christian Church at 531 Fifth Street built in 1942. It was one of the first contemporary (versus traditional Gothic) churches in the United States, and certainly the first in Columbus. It is a masterpiece, but a bit more Spartan than the later elegant North Christian Church. There are many other examples of outstanding architecture well covered here, for example the Fodrea Community School on Illinois Street, and the Mount Healthy Elementary School on State Road 58. These two were at the vanguard of 'people centered' schools with more large open space and fewer formal classrooms. All in all the book is excellent, even including a locator map to help you take a self guided tour of architectural Columbus. Why only four stars? Basically for three reasons: the book is entirely black and white and therefore requires a bit of imagination when the text describes colorful features of structures; the spine of the book itself is rather brittle so care must be taken not to over-articulate the pages and break the spine, and most importantly, because of it's age. The book is in desperate need of a new edition to document changes and new developments since the last edition was published. Overall, though, a commendable and very noble effort!
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