At Compass Homes, our promise to build with ‘more thought per square foot’ reflects how much we value detail, creativity, and thoughtful design. Like art, we believe a home should stir up emotion, balance form and function, and leave a lasting impression.
We find endless inspiration in the art that surrounds our community. From nationally-ranked museums to daring displays of architecture, Ohio is full of spaces that celebrate craftsmanship, innovation, and connection – the same values we bring to every home we build.
Here are a few places that spark our imagination and might just do the same for you! Bonus, all of these amazing Ohio inspirations are just a day trip from Columbus, Ohio.
Columbus Museum of Art
The Columbus Museum of Art (CMA) has been a major part of the Columbus community since 1878, when it was originally founded as the Columbus Gallery of Fine Arts. Today’s building, which was brought to life in 1931 and added on to in 2015, features stunning collections of 19th and early-20th century American and European art, alongside beautiful displays of contemporary work, folk art, glass, photography, and creations by local artists.
But CMA is more than just a museum – it’s a space that celebrates creativity and invites everyone to engage with art in meaningful ways. From inspiring exhibitions to hands-on activities and workshops, the museum is all about making art approachable, interactive, and part of everyday life for all ages.
Cleveland Museum of Art
The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for a reason. With a collection of 66,500 works spanning over 6,000 years, spending a day at the museum makes for a journey through global art history. From paintings and textiles to sculpture and time-based media, the museum proudly showcases a wide range of art forms, ensuring there’s always something new to discover in its galleries.
Beyond its carefully curated exhibits, the museum is also a lively community hub, offering visitors the opportunity to attend thought-provoking lectures, musical performances, or hands-on classes and workshops. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your drawing skills, master the art of storytelling, or just unwind in a yoga class, surrounded by works of art, there are events designed for all ages and interests happening every week.
Toledo Museum of Art
Recently named the #1 art museum in the U.S in USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards, the Toledo Museum of Art (TMA) is a must-visit for lovers of global art collections. With over 30,000 works across a 37-acre campus, TMA is committed to telling a rich, inclusive story of art history. Currently, the museum is in the process of reimagining its galleries by creating more thoughtful spaces that celebrate a wider range of cultures and creative expression and elevate the visitor experience.
Wexner Center for the Arts
Opened in 1989 on High Street at The Ohio State University, the Wexner Center for the Arts quickly earned international attention for its daring and unconventional architecture. Designed by Peter Eisenman, Richard Trott, and Laurie Olin, the building followed the deconstructivism movement. This was a design approach that emerged in the 1980s and challenged traditional architectural rules with its fragmented lines, unexpected angles, and asymmetry. Rather than housing art like a typical museum, the Wex was created to be a work of art itself, making a statement about space, perception, and how art can interact with its surroundings.
Knowlton Hall
Completed in 2004, Knowlton Hall is the home of The Ohio State University Knowlton School of Architecture, uniting the disciplines of architecture, landscape architecture, and city and regional planning under one roof. Designed by Mack Scogin Merrill Elam Architects, the 165,000-square-foot facility is a model of integration, blending art and technology, indoors and outdoors, and education with innovation. Its thoughtful layout includes classrooms, a 200-seat auditorium, outdoor classrooms, and an experimental roof garden. The building was constructed to provide a dynamic, collaborative environment for design education.
It also features gallery and review spaces, fabrication labs, a digital image library, and the Architecture Library, all geared toward fostering creativity and critical thinking. Recognized by publications like Architectural Record and Dwell, and honored with multiple American Institute of Architects awards, Knowlton Hall is not only a learning environment but an architectural statement, embodying the school’s mission to promote excellence in design, planning, and environmental stewardship.
Butler Institute of American Art
Founded in 1919 by Joseph G. Butler, Jr., the Butler Institute of American Art holds the distinction of being the first museum in the country established solely to collect and exhibit American art. Known as “America’s Museum,” it is dedicated to preserving the visual arts heritage of America’s past, present, and future.
Housed in a stately neoclassical structure designed by McKim, Mead & White, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. Today, the Butler’s renowned collection of more than 22,000 works spans centuries of American creativity and includes both traditional and contemporary media. With free admission and a strong focus on education and community outreach, the Butler remains one of the nation’s and Ohio’s most treasured cultural institutions.
Cincinnati Art Museum
Located in the heart of scenic Eden Park, the Cincinnati Art Museum is one of the oldest art institutions in the country. Its collection spans more than 73,000 works across 6,000 years, offering visitors a rich and immersive experience of global art history. Alongside its permanent collection, the museum regularly hosts traveling exhibitions of national and international acclaim.
The museum is committed to accessibility and community engagement —general admission is always free, and its calendar is filled with programs, classes, and special events, designed to connect people of all ages with the power of art. Recognized as one of the top museums in the country, it recently earned the #3 spot in USA Today’s 10 Best Art Museums list.
Ohio Statehouse
The Ohio Statehouse, a National Historic Landmark, is a powerful symbol of democracy built in the Greek Revival style. Construction began in 1839 and spanned over two decades, with interruptions due to funding issues and political uncertainty. Crafted from locally quarried Columbus limestone, the building features a broad, horizontal form and stately columns, inspired by the Parthenon.
The landmark was designed by a group of architects, including most notably Nathan B. Kelley, who introduced advanced ventilation systems and ornate interior detailing. His vision balanced elegance with innovation, setting the tone for one of the most iconic government buildings in the Midwest. Today, the Statehouse continues to serve as the working center of Ohio’s government, and is a testament to thoughtful, enduring design.
Piatt Castles
Off-the-grid in the rolling countryside of Logan County, the Piatt Castles, Mac-A-Cheek and Mac-O-Chee, are two striking Gothic Revival homes built in the late 1800s by brothers Abram and Donn Piatt. Designed with romantic towers, hand-painted ceilings, and intricate woodwork, the castles once stood as symbols of “almost baronial splendor” in post-Civil War Ohio.
While Mac-O-Chee is now privately owned, Mac-A-Cheek remains open to the public for facilitated self-guided tours. Visitors can explore exhibits, photographs, and historical artifacts while relaxing in furnished rooms that echo the elegance of a bygone era. Just outside the village of West Liberty, a visit to Mac-A-Cheek offers a truly unique blend of history, architecture, and storytelling in one of Ohio’s most picturesque settings.
The Louis Penfield House
Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in the early 1950s, the Louis Penfield House in Willoughby Hills, Ohio is a deeply personal example of his Usonian ideals. The home was created specifically for Louis Penfield, a 6’8″-tall artist and schoolteacher who famously asked Wright if he could design a home suited for someone of his height. True to form, Wright replied with wit, and six months later, a design arrived with soaring ceilings, broad steps, and elongated ribbon windows that celebrated Penfield’s unique frame. The epitome of thoughtful design.
Completed in 1955 and nestled on 30 wooded acres along the Chagrin River, the home offers stunning views and quiet solitude. Every detail, from its long kitchen counter milled from local Black Cherry wood to its organic placement on the land, reflects Wright’s belief that architecture should live in harmony with nature.
Today, visitors can do more than tour the house—they can live in it. The Penfield House is one of the few Frank Lloyd Wright homes available for overnight stays. When you make a reservation, you reserve the entire three-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bath home for a private, immersive experience. Whether you’re walking its halls or sipping coffee in its peaceful living room, there are no crowds, just you, the landscape, and one of America’s most iconic architectural visions brought to life.
At Compass Homes, we believe a well-designed home is more than a place to live. Your home should speak to you, move with you, and reflect your story. Like the iconic architecture and timeless works of art across Ohio, our homes are crafted with intention and care, blending classic principles with inspired innovation.
Each detail is guided by our promise to deliver “more thought per square foot,” creating homes that not only meet your needs but elevate your every day. Rooted in craftsmanship and shaped by visionaries before us, we’re here to build a home that feels as artful and enduring as the landmarks that surround us. Contact us to get started today.
