When you think of improv, your mind likely jumps to your favorite “Saturday Night Live” sketches or the early days of comedians like Tina Fey — not mid-century modern architecture. But the small town of Columbus, Ind., challenges that assumption with Exhibit Columbus, a recurring series of architectural pavilions displayed throughout the town center, honoring the city’s rich legacy in the mid-century modern movement.
Its fifth exhibition launches “Yes And,” which cleverly borrows from improv theater and calls designers to work with the city’s history by adding new ideas to its already existing buildings and spaces.
Anything is on the table with this theme — so much so that designer and educator Akima Brackeen created a purple-hued shallow pool at the entrance to the Bartholomew County Public Library. “Pool/Side” is a beautiful expression of the improv spirit; a spin on reflection pools and splash pads, it offers a new way to experience water closer to downtown Columbus.
“When I began working on Pool/Side, I was thinking about water, infrastructure and access. Not just something decorative or purely functional, but something that brings people together,” says Brackeen. “[The library plaza] originally included plans for a water feature, so reintroducing water felt like continuing the conversation…and listening to community desires for more interactive water downtown…where people of all ages could gather, cool off and connect.”
With a focus on public engagement, “Pool/Side” reimagines familiar architectural elements — reflection pools, sunken courtyards, conversation pits and plinths — through themes of resilience, cultural identity and exclusion, encouraging visitors to think about how these spaces shape social and city life.
“The main feature of Pool/Side is the reflection pool, reimagined as an active social and cultural space rather than [an aesthetic element],” Brackeen says. “Traditionally, reflection pools are serene, formal and still…In contrast, Pool/Side functions…as a site for gathering, play and performance.”
Joyful accessibility is reflected in the piece’s aesthetics as well; Brackeen picked purple for its vibrant energy, drawing inspiration from artists like Prince and Jimi Hendrix, as well as cherished childhood memories. She also aimed to acknowledge a time when public swimming sites excluded some people, while simultaneously celebrating the ongoing effort to make them more welcoming to all.
Next time you’re wandering through your city center, take a moment to think about what public spaces could be. Brackeen’s “Pool/Side” is a reminder that architecture doesn’t have to sit still — it can invite you in, spark imagination and bring people together in unexpected ways.
This article first appeared in the May 2026 issue of AQUA Magazine — the top resource for retailers, builders and service pros in the pool and spa industry. Subscriptions to the print magazine are free to all industry professionals. Click here to subscribe.
