A Tale of Two Towers.
Two midwest preservation architectural firms faced similar challenges in restoring and stabilizing iconic Eliel and Eero Saarinen churches in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Columbus, Indiana.
Join Docomomo US/MN for a conversation between Angela Wolf Scott, AIA and
Louis Joyner, AIA as they discuss the sensitive Saarinen rehabilitations undertaken in their respective cities.
Free event but registration required.
Thursday, October 30, 2025
6:30–8pm
Christ Church Lutheran
3244 34th Ave S,
Minneapolis, MN 55406
About the Presenters
Angela Wolf Scott, AIA, LEED AP, is a registered architect in Minnesota and is certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. She is the CEO/President and Principal Architect at MacDonald & Mack Architects.
Angela has a dedication to our architectural heritage and an interest in the intersection between historic preservation, sustainability, and the urban environment. The combination of these interests is the core of her approach to architecture and the foundation of her career. She is the recipient of the AIA Young Architect Award at both the state (MN) and national levels. She is also Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota teaching studio courses related to the documentation, conservation, and reuse of historic resources.
Louis Joyner, AIA, is an architect and principal of the firm Louis Joyner Architect, in Columbus Indiana. The scope of the firm’s work straddles the line between typical small-town commercial and residential projects, and the city’s significant works of Modern architecture. He received his BA from New College of Florida and M. Arch. from SCI-Arc. He worked for various firms in Los Angeles and Indianapolis before starting his practice in Columbus in 2000. He has been an adjunct professor in the J. Irwin Miller Architecture Program of Indiana University Bloomington and taught Interiors at IU Bloomington.
His work related to preservation of Modern architecture in Columbus has included work on many of the city’s buildings, including: First Christian Church by Eliel and Eero Saarinen; the Miller House, North Christian Church and Irwin Union Bank by Eero Saarinen; 301 Washington Street and the Columbus Downtown Color Palette by Alexander Girard; and the Cleo Rogers Memorial Library by I.M. Pei, among others. He spearheaded the effort that resulted in the designation of seven of Columbus’ Modern buildings as National Historic Landmarks, and is currently working on additional NHL and National Register nominations.
The recently completed restoration of the tower of Eliel and Eero Saarinen’s First Christian Church has been recognized with a Citation of Merit from Docomomo’s “Modernism in America” program, and a Restoration Award from Partners for Sacred Places “Faith and Form Awards” program. Louis is also chair of Indiana Modern, an affinity group of Indiana Landmarks, a group which focuses on the preservation of Modernism in Indiana.
