Terri Meyer Boake B.E.S. B.Arch. M.Arch.
Associate Professor School of Architecture University of Waterloo

Image Gallery:

Cummins Engine Company Inc. Corporate Office Building 1983

Roche Dinkeloo and Associates

Columbus, Indiana

 

About the building:

The generosity of Cummins Engine Corporation has resulted in the construction of some very high quality architecture in the city of Columbus, Indiana. Cummins had, for many years, a program of funding that paid for the architectural fees of construction projects for the city. This resulted in the choice to build a veritable museum of architectural history -- with particular emphasis on the use of architectural firms that were synonymous with the definition of American Architecture of the decades from 1950 through to 1980.

The entry court (porte cochere) is covered with skylights atop an architectural concrete exposed structure.

A colonaded space separates the more private realm of the large lawn outside the office space from the public access of the sidewalk.

Landscaping by Jack Curtis, Landscape Architect.
Somewhat of an illusion. The horizontal strip glazing between mirror panels turns the corner and becomes the reverse. A confusion of interior and exterior space.
The exterior walls are banded with clear strip glazing between mirror finish on the interior.
Lobby space with hanging sculpture "Exploded Engine" by Rudolph de Harak, Sculptor, 1984.
Interior of lobby space. Note strip skylights that provide daylight for the entire office space.
A Cummins engine... or two.
Interior of open office space. The two storey space with clerestory lighting above all of the workstations is reminiscent of the interior of the Johnson Wax Building by Frank Lloyd Wright.

The images on this site have been taken for use in my teaching. They may be copied for educational purposes. Please give credit. These images may not be reproduced commercially without written consent.

last updated March 8, 2008