New Canaan Moderns Home Survey: An Update

The New Canaan Moderns 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

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