Arts and Humanities

IU's J. Irwin Miller Architecture Program settles into newly renovated Republic Building in Columbus

By Inside IU Bloomington

Sept. 25, 2018

3months for the redesign

23,000square feet of space

1971original building completed

A student on a computerView print quality image
Easels in front of windows View print quality image
A gallery in the new spaceView print quality image

Students are being introduced to various software used in architecture and are addressing fundamental issues in the composition of architecture; easels frame views of downtown Columbus from an art studio; a gallery in the space features the work of M.Arch staff and faculty members Steven Baker and Jennifer Riley. Photos by James Brosher, Indiana University

Features like freestanding, low walls to separate the studio spaces, a glass enclosure of the gallery and the incorporation of audio-visual equipment throughout were integrated with the goal of appearing as though they could be original to the building.

With just three months between the acquisition of the building and the first day of classes, the design team worked on a tight schedule to make cosmetic changes as well as significant mechanical and electrical updates.

Easels in the new architecture buildingView print quality image
Red chairs in a lecture hall View print quality image
Student sketchesView print quality image

From the top: An art studio overlooks downtown Columbus; red chairs line a lecture hall in the new home of IU's J. Irwin Miller Architecture Program; student sketches for a visual arts studio course taught by associate professor Jennifer Riley hang on the wall of a studio in the building. Photos by James Brosher, Indiana University

The redesign of this building was a labor of love for many designers from IU Capital Projects and Lohr Design, the interior design firm that consulted on the project. IU Capital Projects team lead Matt Bartlett is a Columbus resident, and Adam Thies previously worked for Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, the architecture firm responsible for the original building. Marlena Davis and Charlotte Jolly of Lohr Design are alumni of IU's interior design program.