The first time I remember being drawn to modern architecture was as a college student in New York City, when I stumbled upon a fully reconstructed living room inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art—salvaged from a Frank Lloyd Wright house in Minnesota and reassembled inside the museum. I didn’t know much about Wright at the time, but I was immediately captivated by the clean lines and quiet simplicity of the design.
That early impression stayed with me. Later visits to Wright’s work—from Oak Park to Taliesin and Fallingwater—deepened my appreciation for his belief that a home should grow out of its surroundings rather than disrupt them. I felt that same sensibility again after moving to New Canaan, when I first visited the Glass House.
After living here for a while, its becomes impossible not to notice the town’s deep roots in Modernism. We wear it as a kind of badge of honor that this small town was home to the Harvard Five—even if many of us could only name one or two. We know the iconic sites, but if you look a little closer, you begin to realize just how many remarkable homes are tucked in throughout the landscape—houses that architecture enthusiasts travel great distances to see, and that we pass every day, often without a second glance as we drive our kids to school or make our way through town.
Although I considered myself a fan of modern design—and had visited The Glass House multiple times and was a big fan of the new library—it wasn’t until I attended the New Canaan Museum & Historical Society’s Modern House Tour this fall that I truly began to get the richness of what surrounds us.
Modernism here is not just part of the town’s history—it is very much alive. There is a community of neighbors whose personal and professional lives are deeply rooted in it: architects and designers, friends and collaborators. They exist both in plain sight and in quieter, more hidden ways, woven into the landscape of New Canaan much like the homes themselves.
We hope you enjoy learning about them as much as we enjoyed getting to know them—and that it inspires you to visit the New Canaan Museum, the Glass House or simply peek into Gores Pavilion on your next walk through Irwin Park.
Beyond our architectural gems, this issue also highlights the creature comforts our communities have to offer. From favorite places to dine to fun activities and unique shopping experiences, we share all the local hot spots and hidden treasures in our “Good Life” feature on page 62.
We also highlight new businesses like Signature Cycle, revisit local favorites such as La Cave and give you a rundown of what to do—and what to wear—as we celebrate America’s upcoming 250th birthday. Plus lots more to discover in and about New Canaan, Darien and Rowayton!
