Mike Wolanin Exhibit Columbus curators Too Black, from left, and Rasul Mowatr lead a panel discussion with Miller Prize recipients: Jen Wood, Emanuel Admassu, Charlie Vinz, Nina Cooke John and Germaine Barnes during the 2024 Exhibit Columbus symposium at The Commons in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024.
More than 70 people turned out at The Commons Thursday to meet and learn more about representatives of architectural and design firms chosen as the latest Miller Prize recipients.
Each firm selected during the fifth cycle of Exhibit Columbus will work at a unique site with a paired institution, Landmark Columbus Foundation Executive Director Richard McCoy said. Together, they will strive to ultimately create installations that will become focal points during the 2025 Exhibit Columbus event.
The sites, prize-winning firms, and representatives who came to Columbus, are:
- Crump Theatre: Adaptive Operations of Chicago, Illinois (Charlie Vinz).
- The former Irwin Block building: AD-WO of Brooklyn, New York (Jen Wood and Emmanuel Admassu).
- The Jackson Street parking garage: Studio Barnes of Miami, Florida (Germane Barnes).
- The sunken courtyard at First Christian Church: Studio Cooke John of New York (Nina Cooke John).
These design professionals will have nearly four months to come up with preliminary ideas and concepts that will be brought to Columbus for discussion in February, McCoy said. After receiving feedback from stakeholders, the ideas are be fully developed into an exhibition that will begin in August 2025, he said.
Besides having travel expenses covered, each of the four chosen firms will receive $75,000 that can be used for design and/or construction, McCoy said.
When asked why his firm applied to become a Miller Prize recipient, Barnes described Exhibit Columbus as “really a big deal” to many architects across the country. He told the audience he has always been a fan of the program, and feels humble about being given the opportunity to be a part of the fifth cycle.
”I think it’s an amazing mission and an amazing process,” the Miami, Florida architect said.
Although Barnes garnered some laughs by joking about re-imagining a parking garage, he says the assignment gives him the opportunity to design something that ties into the larger culture of Columbus, as well as the local automotive subculture.
Cooke John describes Exhibit Columbus as “a powerful extension of the story of architecture in Columbus.” She said that being assigned the sunken courtyard at First Christian Church fits with a concept she has about making multiple realities become true.
For example, the viewer can engage with the sunken courtyard from both above and below,the New York architect explained. Cooke John said she also needs to think of her design from the perspective of visitors who come to Columbus to see all of the sights.
For Vinz, being selected a Miller Prize recipient and being assigned the historic Crump Theatre is both an amazing opportunity and a great compliment, he said.
The project will involve digging through all historic aspects of the 150-year-old theatre that includes the Art Deco features, the Chicago resident said. At this time, Vinz said he plans to dig through several aspects of the structure to determine how the Crump contributes to the city’s heritage. A large part of his goal will be providing ideas and concepts of how the theatre can thrive in the future, he said.
The staff of Exhibit Columbus was described by Admassu as organized and very thoughtful. He said there always seems to be care taken to allow architects to question stakeholders.
“When we got the invitation to submit, we thought (the former Irwin Block building) was an ideal setting to begin deciding the scale of some of our ideas,” the New York architect and designer said.
Since the building is now vacant and may be sold soon, Wood said the AD-WO studio in New York will have to gather details and stakeholder information that may not be available at this time.
Founded in 2016, Exhibit Columbus is a platform that celebrates the intersection of art, architecture and community, McCoy said Friday. He also told the audience there is a special reason why his organization was created.
“Art and culture are the drivers of social cohesion,” McCoy said. “They create a sense of community, belonging and place. Art and culture brings people together in ways that transcends differences.”
While the theme of this year’s symposium is “Yes, And,” McCoy said the same idea can be described as “What’s Next?” for already-established sites in the city.
Today’s symposium schedule:
On Friday, a keynote lecture is planned at 9 a.m. at The Crump by Julia McMorrough followed by attendees meeting Adaptive Operations with an introduction by curatorial partners Preservation Futures, followed by the site visit to The Crump.
At 12:30 p.m. Friday at First Christian Church fellowship hall, there will be a panel discussion with curatorial partner Mila Lipinski, the High School Design Team, team coordinator Spencer Steenblik and BCSC C4 teacher Darin Johnson, and special conversation with BCSC STEM coordinator Davida Harden. This will be followed by a 2 p.m. session in the same location to meet communication designers Sing-Sing, and a panel discussion with Adi Goodrich and Sean Pecknold and Landmark Columbus Foundation Creative Director Jamie Goldsborough.
At 3 p.m. Friday, attendees at First Christian will meet Studio Cooke John, with an introduction by curatorial partner Mila Lipinski, then a site visit to the First Christian Church sunken courtyard.
