NAZLI Architecture & Design

Small City, BIG Architecture: Columbus, Indiana

Columbus may be small, but it’s world-famous for its bold modernist architecture. Icons like Eero Saarinen, Eliel Saarinen, and I.M. Pei left their mark here with must-see landmarks:

First Christian Church – clean lines (Eliel Saarinen)
North Christian Church – iconic spire (Eero Saarinen)
Irwin Union Bank – open, glass design (Eero Saarinen)
Miller House & Garden – mid-century modern gem
Bartholomew County Library – bold and serene (I.M. Pei)

Cleo Rogers Memorial Library – Columbus, Indiana
Designed by world-famous architect I.M. Pei, this library opened in 1969 and is a key part of Columbus’s modern architecture scene.

Pei used red brick to match nearby buildings, creating a sense of unity in the city’s downtown. The design is clean, simple, and strong — with large windows that let in natural light and open spaces that feel calm and welcoming.

In front of the library is a wide plaza with the sculpture Large Arch by Henry Moore. Pei carefully designed this open space so people could gather, reflect, or enjoy the art and architecture around them.

The building shows how modern design can still feel warm, human, and part of the community.