A Civic/Institutional Design Citation of Merit is awarded for the restoration of the First Christian Church in Columbus, Indiana, designed by architect Eliel and Eero Saarinen, and completed in 1942. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 2000, it was one of the first modern churches in the U.S. and one of the most acclaimed works of the Saarinens’ father/son partnership. The restoration addressed longstanding structural issues endangering the mass masonry clock tower, due to water infiltration, movement, and a history of inappropriate repairs. Ultimately, extensive and painstaking reconstruction of the upper portion of the tower was deemed necessary; additional restoration work included the removal and reinstallation of the delaminating outer wythe of the north and south walls and replacement of many bricks. Bricks of similar size and shape were stained to match the originals, for which no modern equivalent exists. The restoration succeeded in extending the life of this important structure, with a laudable commitment to retaining as much of its historic integrity as possible. 

First Christian Church of Columbus

Architect: Louis Joyner Architect, Louis Joyner, AIA, Principal Architect, Designer, Ellen Bowman, RA, Project Architect; Historic Preservation: RATIO Design, Dave Kroll, Associate AIA, Principal, Director of Historic Preservation, Anne Schneider, Associate AIA, Preservation; Structural/Façade Restoration Engineers: ARSEE Engineers, Fritz Herget, PE, Principal; MEP Engineers: The Engineering Collaborative, Samuel L. Hurt, PE, RA, Principal; General Contractor: F.A. Wilhelm Construction Company, Inc.; Photographers: Adam Reynolds Photography, Hadley Fruits for Landmark Columbus; Historic Photos: Hedrich Blessing from the Saarinen Collection in the Yale Libraries