Eric Davis and I shared a delightful evening after attending the AIA Design Awards at Navy Pier last month. It was a full house, packed with architects who were there to see and be seen. I had forgotten how inspiring this annual event is. Meeting old friends and having a glimpse of what they had accomplished lately was a rich and humbling experience. To win recognition is a big deal; these firms are the best of the best.
On the way home on the Blue Line we lamented the lack of new quality modern architecture in Oak Park. How could this be in a town of 125+ architects?
“Why can’t we attract and complete exciting architectural projects to add dots to the architecture map?” Eric asked (and wrote about in WJ’s Viewpoints section, Nov. 12). All we need is good-to-great architects and cooperative clients. Sounds simple. Yet we continue to accept mediocre buildings that dilute our rich but fragile heritage.
Ah, but Columbus, Indiana is similar in size (45,000 pop.), located nowhere (40 miles south of Indianapolis), and full of wonderful, exciting, tourist-worthy architecture. It is well known as a museum of 20th-century modern architecture, drawing 45,000 archi-tourists (125 visitors/day) each year. How did they achieve this unusual feat? They hired good architects and allowed them to do their jobs.
Of course, Columbus has a benefactor who pays for the architecture fees if they are chosen from his list. Not a bad deal. The Cummins Foundation, established by J. Erwin Miller, chairman is practical enough to not propose a residential architect for a church commission. Experience is important and partnering with a local firm that knows the zoning and codes creates comfort for the citizen clients. But if you are willing to select from Mr. Miller’s list, then the design fees are paid by the foundation.
We don’t need such a benefactor in Oak Park (although I wouldn’t turn them away) should we consider following Columbus’ model. We have the advantage of being in Chicago, in its most famous suburb, chock-full of historic architecture.
After completing 60 buildings, the Cummins Foundation has it down. First, they have a changing, anonymous selection panel of three prominent architects who propose 3-4 firms to interview. Rotating keeps the list of judges and architects fresh. There is no permanent list that preserves the integrity of the process. Consideration of reputation, size, design philosophy, budget and experience all factor in the selection.
Harry Weese’s Schmitt Elementary School was the first architect-fee grant in 1957. The list now boasts Perkins & Will, Robert A.M. Stern, Richard Meier, Paul Kennon, Mitchell-Giurgola, Gunnar Birkerts, Robert Venturi and on and on. This small Midwestern town is a must-see for all architecture buffs. You can see so much in such an accessible community. The original goal of the foundation’s board, was to provide alternatives to the standard, but uninspiring school buildings being built in the late 1950s and 1960s to meet the demands of the baby boom.
What I find most inspiring are these words from J. Irwin Miller: “Every one of us lives and moves all his life within the limitations, sight and influence of architecture — at home, at school, at church, at work. The influence of architecture with which we are surrounded in our youth affects our lives, our standards, our tastes when we are grown, just as the influence of the parents and teachers with which we are surrounded in our youth affects us as adults. American architecture has never had more creative, imaginative practitioners than it has today. Each of the best of today’s architects can contribute something of lasting value to Columbus.”
The 40-year-old architecture program has become a major economic asset to the corporation and the community. More than 50 projects have been completed, sparking numerous other developments from the private sector. This work has resulted in attracting 40,000-50,000 visitors each year.
We seem to have some buzz in the air about this idea at the village, District 97 and the architecture community. Columbus could be a wonderful model to guide us, as Eric would say, “to put more dots on the architectural map in Oak Park.”
Garret Eakin is an architect, author and adjunct professor at the School of the Art Institute.