North Christian Church, designed by Eero Saarinen in 1964, is a major landmark in picturesque Columbus, Indiana.
Photographer: Iwan BaanHow a Tiny Midwestern Town Became a Mecca for Modern Architecture
A new book explores the design history of Columbus, Indiana, a company town built around an architectural vision.
When a small town in the US Midwest decides to upgrade the air traffic control tower of its regional airport, finding a top-tier architect is rarely a priority. But in Columbus, Indiana, it’s no surprise that Marlon Blackwell would be asked to take on such a project.
The architect — who received the American Institute of Architects’ Gold Medal in 2020 — proposed an undulating aluminum and steel tower anchored by a public lawn. Once built, Blackwell’s air traffic control tower will extend the town’s reputation as an unlikely American capital of great modern architecture.