[June 24, 2008] New Canaan Modern Home Survey Updateprovided by Martin Skrelunas, Preservation Manager, The Philip Johnson Glass House 


The New Canaan Modern Home Survey is nearing completion after a year of archival research, active field survey work, and analysis.  The Philip Johnson Glass House, a site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, received support for this project from the Commission on Culture and Tourism with funds from the State of Connecticut. Support for this project also came from the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation. This Survey was conducted with leadership provided by Building Conservation Associates, New York and the New Canaan Historical Society. The New Canaan Modern Home Survey will be available to the public late summer. To learn more, or to request a New Canaan Modern Home Survey copy please contact Martin Skrelunas.

This survey of modern homes surpasses most normal surveys with close participation from New Canaan homeowners who allowed the exterior survey of their houses, as well as survey of their landscape and out buildings. Most participants who were present during the survey insisted that we view the interior to fully understand the architecture. A new survey form was created to encompass language and details more specific to mid-century modern residential architecture. The end-product of this project will include an historic context statement, architects biographies, a glossary specific to modernism, illustrations and an analysis for National Register eligibility. A blind labeling system was developed in order to maintain home-owners privacy.

To date nearly seventy homeowners participated in this survey and roughly half extended invitations to view interiors, blue prints and archival material related to their homes.  This level of participation exceeds normal survey participation. More detailed survey work of the associated landscapes, accessory buildings and building materials took place with homeowners consent. In addition to new survey work, this project utilizes material previously collected and archived by The New Canaan Historical Society, with input by DoCoMoMo.

The knowledge gained from this project is not only intended to shed light on the individual importance of this community in its greater influence outside of CT, but it is intended to inform other Modernist communities across the United States that wish to embark on similar studies.  The recognition of mid-century modern homes and their role as an asset within real estate investment is growing; however the formal recognition of this architecture is still necessary for a proactive approach to preservation. A thematic National Register Nomination of a number of these homes will serve this purpose. 

An advisory committee consisting of John Johansen, John Black Lee, Toshiko Mori, Theo Prudon and Robert A.M. Stern will convene for review of the final material of the survey, and in launching results in a more public format.

[June 2007] New Canaan Moderns Home Survey Introduction

The New Canaan Modern Home Survey is a long awaited project funded by the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism and the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation. This survey of Modern homes will surpass most normal survey criteria. It is intended to meet CT SHPO guidelines as well as National Register guidelines. The end-product of this project will include an historic context statement, architects biographies, a glossary specific to modernism and illustrations and analysis. A blind labeling system will be developed in order to preserve home-owners privacy.

Eighty plus homeowners have been identified and contacted and will meet with leaders from the National Trust and The New Canaan Historical Society for a full orientation of the process. More detailed survey work of the associated landscapes, accessory buildings and building materials will take place with homeowners consent. Home-owner reaction has been enthusiastic to date. In addition to new survey work, this project will utilize material previously collected and archived by The New Canaan Historical Society, with input by DoCoMoMo.

The knowledge gained from this project is not only intended to shed light on the individual importance of this community in its greater influence outside of CT, but it is intended to inform other Modernist communities across the United States that wish to embark on similar studies.  The recognition of mid-century Modern homes and their role as an asset within real estate investment is growing, however the formal recognition of this architecture is still necessary for a proactive approach to preservation. The thematic National Register Nomination of a number of these homes will serve this purpose. 

An advisory committee consists of John Johansen, John Black Lee, Toshiko Mori, Theo Prudon and Robert A.M. Stern who will convene for review of the final material of the survey. The survey will begin this summer after a qualified consultant is hired. State and National advertising for this will take place through the issuance of an RFQ. A formal legal announcement will appear in www.das.state.ct.us and can be obtained after issuance by contacting: Martin_Skrelunas@nthp.org

[May 2007] Request for Qualifications
A Comprehensive Survey of Mid-Century Modern Residences in New Canaan, CT 

National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP) and the Philip Johnson Glass House (PJGH) in partnership with The New Canaan Historical Society (NCHS)

The project proponents are soliciting qualification statements from consultants in the fields of 20th century history, architecture, architectural history and landscape history for the services required to research, survey and document approximately 100 architect-designed houses, related outbuildings and landscapes built in the town of New Canaan, Connecticut between 1935-1975.

The objective of this project is to complete a comprehensive survey of approximately 100 architect-designed mid-20th century Modern homes, outbuildings and landscapes built between 1935 and 1975 in New Canaan, CT.

The National Trust RFP Listing 

All responses and proposals must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, June 29, 2007