In the 1960s, SOM helped conceive a master plan for the urban redevelopment and revitalization of Columbus, Indiana. The Republic Newspaper Office and Printing Plant was the first project realized from that plan. The building, designed by Myron Goldsmith, consists of an aluminum frame enclosed by glass walls. To maximize efficiency, the offices and plant occupy one floor. The main entrance connects directly with the newsroom and advertising offices, which lead to the production and distribution zones.
The press itself, an offset machine painted a bright yellow, was encased in an acoustically insulated pavilion. Anchored on a uniquely designed pad, the press was isolated from the building’s main foundation, reducing vibrations caused by print runs.
Symbolic of the transparency and visibility of the free press, the modern building was used as a recruiting tool. In 1981, Republic Editor Harry McCawley stated that the building “often makes the difference as to whether we get the reporter we want.”
