Small Towns, Big Architecture
Impressive and creative architecture isn't exclusive to big cities. Small town America also has memorable structures, ranging from the bizarre to the downright breath-taking. Here's a sampling of what small towns have to offer in the way of big architecture.
The city of Columbus, some 40 miles south of Indianapolis, has a population under 50,000. What it lacks in density, it offers back tenfold in architectural aesthetics. Columbus has been referred to as a "mecca" for modernist structures; world-renowned architects like I.M. Pei, Eliel Saarinen and Cesar Pelli have designed buildings within the city limits. The city has an outsized reputation for big ideas. One of its most visited architectural attractions is "Miller House and Garden," the first National Historic Landmark to receive designation while one of its designers was still living. Other attractions include the glass marvel "The Commons," Pei's library, and Saarinen's First Christian Church, a structure built in 1942 and began Columbus' innovative tradition.
Odd structures easily grab a passerby's attention, make them scratch their head, and smile. That's what many passing through Newark, Ohio do after happening upon the Longaberger Basket building. A seven-story replica of a picnic basket—a signature product of a previous tenant, The Longaberger Company—the 180,000-square-foot maple basket recently sold for $1.2 million to a renovator interested in preserving and refreshing the building.
Solvang, California
Ever wanted to visit Denmark, but not necessarily cross the Atlantic? Try Solvang, California. Touted as an oasis of Danish culture and heritage, the city was founded by immigrant Danes in 1911 and features authentic Danish architecture, including thatched roofs, old-world craftsmanship, and traditional windmills. Walking through the town's center, one may feel as if they've been transported to the cobblestone streets of Copenhagen. Solvang even features a small-scale replica of the Danish's city's acclaimed Round Tower.
St. Augustine, Florida
Tourists can get that same old world feel in St. Augustine, Florida, which was founded in 1565 – the oldest actively occupied European-colonized American city. St. Augustine features a mix of modern structures, but it's the Spanish-styled and Moorish Revival architecture that really grabs visitors. The 17th-century fort Castillo de San Marcos is probably the number one sight, while the Lightner Museum is another attraction.
Oak Park is a quaint suburb on the edge of Chicago's western limits that has about as much architectural pull as its big brother. The name that towers above all the rest is Frank Lloyd Wright, the revered American master whose study and works can be found throughout the city. Visitors can learn more about the architect's life at home and in his studio. They can then take a tour to visit some of his masterpieces, tucked behind broad lawns. Wright also designed the Unity Temple in Oak Park's center, regarded as being one of the first public buildings in America to feature exposed concrete and Wright's greatest public work during his Prairie era.
We’ve proven small towns can have big personas, and many draw their identities from the buildings that define them. Keystone Construction Company knows about small town architecture (perhaps not about building giant picnic baskets), and we understand the importance such structures have to communities. That's one reason we advocate Design/Build methodology to ensure project success and delivery of unique and memorable structures. Talk to us today for more information.