American Modern: Architecture, Community, Columbus, Indiana
American Modern is the first in-depth publication about Columbus, Indiana, that demonstrates the unique convergence of civic, industrial, and social forces that produced the preeminent laboratory of architectural modernism in the country.
Stack up on American Modern
Buy a box of 10 books and save $10 per book. A box of ten copies is perfect for gifts, welcoming guests, or sharing your Columbus pride.
Pick up is available in Columbus at our office, or email us about shipping costs. Want just one? Check out Viewpoint Books or your local indie bookstore.
The definitive book on one of the foremost modernist cities and architecture destinations in the USA: Columbus, Indiana
The midwestern city of Columbus, Indiana, is more than a mecca of modern architecture; it is an example of how design can help foster a remarkable community. The dozens of buildings and projects by legendary architects—from mid-century titans such as Eero Saarinen and I. M. Pei to contemporary practitioners Deborah Berke and IwamotoScott—remain integral to its urban fabric. This book explores Columbus’s optimistic program of bold new architecture and landscapes, initiated by the legendary industrialist J. Irwin Miller and local leaders, and the generations-long quest to develop the ideal American city through design excellence.
This is the first in-depth history of Columbus, Indiana, demonstrating the unique convergence of civic, industrial, and social forces that produced the pre-eminent laboratory of architectural modernism in the USA. It presents a rich showcase of outstanding, generation-spanning architects and is published in association with Landmark Columbus Foundation, the civic organization behind the progressive preservation and promotion of the city’s architectural heritage, as well as the producer of the acclaimed program Exhibit Columbus, a two-year cycle of events that uses the context of Columbus to host conversations around innovative ideas and then commissions site-responsive installations in a free, public exhibition.
Upcoming Events
Palm Springs Modernism Week
Wednesday, February 19
11 am – Noon (pst)
Annenberg Theatre
Palm Springs Modernism Week is an annual festival celebrating mid-century modern architecture, design, and culture in Palm Springs, California, featuring home tours, lectures, and parties. It showcases the city's iconic modernist heritage while inspiring appreciation for preservation and contemporary design.
Join us at this iconic event for insight into the new publication, American Modern: Architecture, Community, Columbus, Indiana, and learn about Columbus’s architectural legacy from Jamie Goldsborough, Creative Director of the Landmark Columbus Foundation, and book authors Matt Shaw and photographer Iwan Baan.
American Modern News
How a Tiny Midwestern Town Became a Mecca for Modern Architecture
Mark Byrnes, Bloomberg
"American Modern is an overdue tribute to Columbus’s architecture. It also manages to connect the town’s evolution with the political, economic and social changes occurring throughout the postwar US."
Modernist Town, U.S.A.
Ian Volner, Untapped Journal
"The only consistency in Miller’s [architect] picks was a preference for what he termed “the best thinking of our time”—for designers who, like their patron, viewed both architecture and society as subjects for constant improvement and innovation."
American Modern surveys the 'total community' modernist project that was Columbus, Indiana
Adrian Madlener, Wallpaper*
"The book is an in-depth historical record of its status as one of the country's most prominent modernist projects."
Columbus, IN: A Place In Time
Editors, Indianapolis Monthly
“The concept of not reaping your field to its border—nor maximizing personal profits but deferring some of your land or harvest to the public realm (your neighbors)—became a foundation for Miller’s humancentric approach to business," begins author Matt Shaw."
DesignMinded Podcast
Lee Alig with Matt Shaw
Lee Alig and Steve Mannheimer talk to Matt Shaw, author of the new book “American Modern: Architecture, Community, Columbus, Indiana,” about how design fostered a remarkable city. Recorded at 99.1 WQRT studios, Indianapolis.
Modernism Comes to Middle America
Anthony Paletta, Literary Review
"Public–private partnerships have a poor reputation since they often entail the public taking the risk and the private enjoying the profits. ... In an age in which corporations were abandoning smaller cities, [the Cummins Architecture Program] represented a valorous investment in the local."
Stir World
Mrinmayee Bhoot
“Today, how the local community relates to the bastions of an alternate vision of the country is what Richard McCoy, founding director of Landmark Columbus, a heritage foundation dedicated to caring for and carrying forward the modern legacy of Columbus, might term “progressive preservation".”
The Architect’s Newspaper
Eshaan Mehta
“Like Shaw, I too am a product of “The Columbus Way,” as both of us grew up here. American Modern invites readers to become a part of our community, share in the passion we have for it, and to get to know its history as if you were one of us.”
The Chronicle of Philanthropy
Eden Stiffman
“Welcome to Columbus, Ind., population 51,000. This town’s emergence as a hub of mid-century American design is largely thanks to Joseph Irwin Miller, an idealistic industrialist and philanthropist, and his family’s company, the diesel engine manufacturer Cummins.”
Dezeen
Ben Dreith
“Driven by the Cummins Engine Company, which has its headquarters in Columbus, the city saw an almost unprecedented level of architectural consideration in a single place that reflected post-war optimism in the power of design to reflect a more prosperous society.”
The Republic Newspaper
Brian Blair
“Both American Modern launch events featured presentations by American Modern author Matt Shaw and book designer Alex Lin of Studio Lin, with open discussion from the audience.”
The Guardian
Oliver Wainwright
“At a time when a second Trump administration threatens to revive its neoclassical diktats for federal buildings, the Columbus model shows just how important it is for cities to fight for the best public architecture of our time.”
Limited-edition posters
Limited-edition posters are available for purchase to support American Modern. Visit our online shop to buy one or all four. Designed by Studio Lin.
A look inside the book
Graphics created by Studio Lin.
American Modern book launch at the Former North Christian Church
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Book sales
Columbus-based independent booksore, Viewpoint Books, was the point of sale for American Modern book sales. We reccomend ordering from them, or your local bookstore, today.
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Viewpoint Books
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Once-in-a-generation book
The youngest guest to purchase a copy of American Modern.
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Lobby and reception
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Lobby and reception
Columbus-based independent booksore, Viewpoint Books, was the point of sale for American Modern book sales. We reccomend ordering from them, or your local bookstore, today.
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Tours
For the event, the building was open to the public for self-guided tours.
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Visitor with the book seated inside the former sanctuary
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Live piano
Pianist Jasmine Yang performed live classical piano. Ms. Yang is a recent graduate of Columbus North High School and the winner of the 2024 Betty F. Brown Awards for Instrumental Excellence.
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The ascending entrance into the former sanctuary
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Interior view of former sanctuary
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Event program
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Interior view of former sanctuary
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Pianist Jasmine Yang
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Event partner, Bartholomew County Public Library
Introduction by Jason Hatton (Executive Director, Bartholomew County Public Library), welcomes the audience to the first BCPL event in the newly-acquired venue.
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Introductions
Introductions, from left, Keira Amstutz, Richard McCoy, Mark Elwood, and Jason Hatton.
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Richard McCoy
Introduction by Richard McCoy (Executive Director, Landmark Columbus Foundation)
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Event partner, Indiana Humanities
Introduction by Keira Amstutz (President and CEO, Indiana Humanities)
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Interior of former sanctuary
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Matt Shaw
Author of American Modern and Columbus-native.
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Alex Lin
Designer Alex Lin of Studio Lin (Brooklyn).
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Jamie Goldsborough
Moderator Jamie Goldsborough (Creative Director, Landmark Columbus Foundation).
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Discussion and Q&A
Matt Shaw (left) and Alex Lin.
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Discussion and Q&A
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Discussion and Q&A
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Discussion and Q&A
Matt Shaw (left) and Alex Lin.
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Discussion and Q&A
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Discussion and Q&A
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American Modern day in Columbus
Richard McCoy, Matt Shaw, City of Columbus Mary Ferdon, and Alex Lin.
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Book signing in the chapel
American Modern book launch at Christian Theological Seminary
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Shelton Auditorium
The event was held at Christian Theological Seminary’s Shelton Auditorium.
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Book sales
Columbus-based independent bookstore, Viewpoint Books, was the point of sale for American Modern book sales. We recommend ordering from them, or your local bookstore, today.
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![Reception photo by Hadley Fruits]()
Reception
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![Book sales photo by Hadley Fruits]()
Book sales
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![Live piano photo by Hadley Fruits]()
Live piano
Pianist Jasmine Yang performed live clasical piano. Ms. Yang is a recent graduate of Columbus North High School and the winner of the 2024 Betty F. Brown Awards for Instrumental Excellence.
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![Jasmine Yang photo by Hadley Fruits]()
Live piano
Featuring Jasmine Yang
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![Reception in The Common room photo by Hadley Fruits]()
Reception
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![Reception in The Common room photo by Hadley Fruits]()
Reception
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Visitor with the book
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![Jasmine Yang photo by Hadley Fruits]()
Live piano
Featuring Jasmine Yang
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![Richard McCoy photo by Hadley Fruits]()
Richard McCoy
Introduction by Richard McCoy (Executive Director, Landmark Columbus Foundation)
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![Keira Amstutz photo by Hadley Fruits]()
Event partner, Indiana Humanities
Introduction by Keira Amstutz (President and CEO, Indiana Humanities)
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![David Mellott photo by Hadley Fruits]()
Event partner, Christian Theological Seminary
Introduction by David Mellott (President, Christian Theological Seminary)
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![Dr. Scott Seay photo by Hadley Fruits]()
Event partner, Christian Theological Seminary
Introductions Dr. Scott Seay (Director of Library and Information Services, Christian Theological Seminary)
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Presentations
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Matt Shaw
Author of American Modern and Columbus native Matt Shaw.
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Alex Lin
Designer of American Modern Alex Lin of Studio Lin (Brooklyn).
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Discussion and Q&A
Matt Shaw (left) and Alex Lin.
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![Jamie Goldsborough photo by Hadley Fruits]()
Jamie Goldsborough
Moderator Jamie Goldsborough (Creative Director, Landmark Columbus Foundation)
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Discussion and Q&A
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Discussion and Q&A
Matt Shaw (left) and Alex Lin.
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Discussion and Q&A
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Discussion and Q&A
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Discussion and Q&A
Alex Lin
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![Discussion and Q&A photo by Hadley Fruits]()
Discussion and Q&A
Matt Shaw (left) and Alex Lin.
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Jamie Goldsborough
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![Discussion and Q&A photo by Hadley Fruits]()
Discussion and Q&A
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Discussion and Q&A
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Discussion and Q&A
Matt Shaw
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Reception and book sales
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Signed copies!
The event featured a book signing with both of the authors.
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Book signing with the authors
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Reception
About the Authors
Matt Shaw
Writer
Author Matt Shaw—a Columbus native—is a writer, editor, and educator. The former executive editor of The Architect’s Newspaper, his writing has appeared in the New York Times, The Guardian, Architectural Review, Domus, and Artforum.
Iwan Baan
Photographer
The book features newly commissioned photography from Iwan Baan, a photographer whose work focuses on the intersection of architecture and the social fabric and has been published in books and periodicals internationally.
Alex Lin
Designer
Studio Lin is a NYC-based graphic design practice established by Alex Lin. We focus on long-term collaborations where graphic design can have a meaningful impact both locally and internationally.
American Modern Exhibition at Gallery 506
To celebrate the forthcoming publication of American Modern, Landmark Columbus Foundation has partnered with the Columbus Area Visitor’s Center to produce an exhibition about the book.
A new exhibition of never-before-seen photographs of Columbus, Indiana, by legendary photographer Iwan Baan and three silkscreen prints by Studio Lin that expand on the book's design and cover is now on view at the Columbus Area Visitor Center Gallery 506.
With 12 framed photograph prints that show Columbus landmarks such as The Robert N. Stewart Bridge (J. Muller International, 1999), North Christian Church (Eero Saarinen, 1966), First Christian Church (Eliel Saarinen, 1942), and the Cleo Rogers Memorial Library (I.M. Pei, 1969), among many others, the exhibition serves as a preview of the forthcoming book American Modern: Architecture, Community, Columbus, Indiana, which will be published in July 2024 by Monacelli Press.
