New Canaan

_{Above: The iconic ‘Glass House’ designed by architect Philip Johnson in 1949. Photo: architectmagazine.com}

When it comes to American Modernist/Mid Century Modern architecture it would appear a disproportionate amount of it is located in California. It has been suggested that the warmer climes of California afforded architects greater liberty to experiment with the new styles. Without concern for cold winters or wet seasons there was less emphasis on pragmatic issues of construction and more focus on style. However, beginning in the 1940’s, far from sun bleached hills, canyons, and deserts of the Los Angeles basin, a pocket of Modernism was growing in the quiet town of New Canaan, Connecticut. It began when a group of Harvard Graduate School of Design professors and students relocated to the town, with the more prominent becoming known as the Harvard Five.

Rather than dominating its natural surroundings, the simplicity of the structure, coupled with the use of local fieldstone, the Noyes House compliments its environment. Designed by architect Eliot Noyes as his own residence in 1955. One of four homes designed by the ‘Harvard Five’ now included on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Photo: architectmagazine.com

Largely influenced by Walter Gropius (who founded the Bauhaus in Berlin in 1919) the Five were comprised of noted architects Philip Johnson, Marcel Breuer, Landis Gores, John M. Johansen, and Eliot Noyes. Upon arriving in New Canaan they began to experiment with a design aesthetic that was a dramatic shift from what was considered traditional suburban home design. And while not immediately well received many consider the breakthrough structure to be the iconic Glass House designed by Philip Johnson – a sublime exercise in minimalist architecture.

_{The Harvard Five}

Philip Johnson (1906 – 2005)

Landis Gores (1919 – 1991)

Marcel Breuer (1902 – 1981)

Spearheaded by the Harvard Five, as well as other architects including John Black Lee, Hugh Smallen, Victor Christ-Janer, Alan Goldberg and Carl Koch, approximately 100 Modern houses were built of which 20 have since been torn down with four being added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Today the town of New Canaan is internationally recognized for its many examples of modern architecture, all of which prove that a well-designed, Modern house is a house for all seasons.

_{The Harvard Five and founder of the Bauhaus Walter Gropius}

John M. Johansen (1916 – 2012)

Eliot Noyes (1910 – 1977)

Walter Gropius (1883 – 1969)

A big thank you to Jeffrey Matz and photographer Michael Biondo for letting me use some of the great photos that appear in the wonderful new book (with Cristina A. Ross) Midcentury Houses Today. You can get a copy by clicking on the image below. Well worth it.