Modern Home Project + Survey

The Glass House Modern Home Project is a fundamental step towards national recognition, preservation and scholarly evaluation of Modernist residential structures. It will be promoted as a model for use by other states and communities with dense concentrations of modern resources. The Modern Home Project is comprised of the New Canaan Modern Home Survey, a comprehensive survey and searchable database of 90+ architect-designed mid-20th century Modern homes in New Canaan, CT that led to a state-wide historic context statement: the National Register Multiple Property Documentation Form.

Interested in preserving a modern building? Find informationon the process to list a property on the National Register of HistoricPlaces here.

Modern Home Registry and Multiple Property Documentation Form (MPDF):

On September 25, 2010, The Glass House hosted a celebration for 18 New Canaan Modern Homes that were recently added to the National and State Registers of Historic Places as well as to the creation of the Multiple Property Documentation Form. In attendance, were modern homeowners, architects whose homes were included in this project as well as representation from several organizations including the New Canaan Historical Society, New Canaan Preservation Alliance, the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation, the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism, the National Parks Service and many others. To read more about the event, see the Glass House Blog. To read more about the Registry, click here.

The National Register Multiple Property Documentation Form (MPDF) consisting of a statewide historic context statement (a detailed and scholarly overview of the history of the development of Modernist architecture and design in the State of Connecticut) for Mid-Century Modern Houses in Connecticut (1930-1979) and individual nominations for a selection of architect designed Modern Houses in New Canaan. The project builds on the work of the 2008 New Canaan Mid-Century Modern House survey by selecting the homes in New Canaan that have the highest degree of integrity and significance and, with property owner permission, creates nominations to the National Register of Historic Places. Called a Multiple Property Documentation, this project highlights and protects a key portion of Connecticut’s Modern architectural heritage by shining a spotlight on the significance of these Modern resources and helps the public to understand and appreciate their value. The project creates a detailed overview of the history of Modern architecture and design in Connecticut and spotlights 18 New Canaan homes to illustrate the movement. To view the 18 residences, click below.

Modern Home Survey

The New Canaan Modern Home Survey project involves a comprehensive survey of 90+architect-designed mid-20th century Modern homes in New Canaan, CT. This project is the fundamental first step toward scholarly evaluation of Modernist resources with research, fieldwork and photography. The survey will be promoted as a model for use by other states and communities with dense concentrations of modern resources. The Survey is supported by the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism, the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation and the New Canaan Historical Society.

Online Modern Home Searchable Database

The survey then lead to the creation of a searchable, on-line database containing the complete survey. To view online, click here: New Canaan Modern Home Survey

Pictured above: Michael Fedele, Jesa Damora, Sirkka Damora, Matthew Damora, William Earls, Roseanne Diserio, John Black Lee, David Bahlman, Janet Lindstrom, and Jens Risom.

Printed Modern Home Survey

The complete survey is available for purchase in print or DVD format. This survey has additional photos, resources and appendices beyond what is on the site. Copies are available in the following formats and cost-based prices:

Color printed copy in an archival box: $200 + shipping
Black and White printed copy in an archival box: $100 + shipping
DVD: $50 + shipping

To purchase, complete this order form and email to Kate_Lichota@nthp.org or call the Glass House Visitor Center at 203.594.9884 x 0 for more information.

_______________________________________________________________________________

We would like to thank our sponsors for their support of the Modern Home Project