New master’s in architecture program begins in downtown Columbus

Nearly two dozen students excited to be part of something new started classes in something old — yet distinctly Modern.

Inside First Christian Church, one of the most well-known designs of renowned Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen, Indiana University’s new J. Irwin Miller Architecture Program commenced Monday in downtown Columbus.

The church, which opened in 1942 at 531 Fifth St., and is the first example of Modern architecture in the city, provided the setting for the students in IU’s new master’s program for architecture to dive into their studies. Traditional start-of-the-semester details could wait for another day.

T. Kelly Wilson, director of graduate studies in Columbus, guided the students to the church in field-trip fashion on a warm, sunny day, leading a procession from 333 Second St., the program’s home and former offices of The Republic newspaper, to the church.

Such trips will be commonplace for students, as the program is designed to use Columbus’ more than 65 examples of Modern architecture as learning opportunities. The city is home to works by I.M. Pei, Eliel Saarinen, Eero Saarinen, Kevin Roche and Harry Weese.

“I want them to get close to the voice of the author,” Wilson said, adding that he is teaching the students new habits of the mind.

For more on this story, see Friday’s Republic.