Open River Building of Grace Farms by SANAA

SANAA’s goal was to make the architecture of the River become part of the landscape without drawing attention to itself, or even feeling like a building, with the hope that those who are on the property will have a greater enjoyment of the beautiful environment and changing seasons through the spaces and experience created by the River.

Under the continuous roof are five transparent glass-enclosed volumes that can host a variety of activities and events, while maintaining a constant sense of the surrounding natural environment. In sequence, they are:

Sanctuary: a 700-person sanctuary/indoor amphitheater (20,900 sf)

Library: a staffed library with resources to research justice, the arts, nature and faith. It includes a glass-enclosed conference room and fireplace for discussion and hospitality, as well as Grace Farms Foundation offices. (4,550 sf)

Commons: a dining room and living room, with capacity for 300, with communal tables built from trees harvested on-site, a coffee bar, sofas and fireplace, offering hospitality and expansive views. A lower level accomodates a lecture hall and ancillary spaces. (14,400 sf)

Pavilion: a staffed welcome center where visitors can be oriented to Grace Farms, enjoy a cup of coffee or tea or listen to intimate musical performances (950 sf)

Court: a partially below-grade gymnasium/multi-purpose space with adjoining media lab and game room, for recreation, youth activities, receptions and arts performances (16,900 sf)

Barn: The original barn was renovated to serve as a welcome center with a greeting space in each of its two wings. The barn will also house many of the day-to-day programs, with classrooms, an art studio, a rehearsal space with sprung floor, offices, a lounge, a nursery and a drop-off food pantry to support the justice program. Source by Grace Farms.

Location: New Canaan, USA
Architects: SANAA
Landscape: OLIN
MEP Engineer and Lighting: Buro Happold
Structural Engineer: Robert Silman Associates
Civil Engineer: McChord Engineering
Sustainability: Consultant Transsolar
Glazing: Roschmann Steel & Glass
Roofing: Zahner
Acoustics: Harvey Marshall Berling Associates, Nagata Acoustics
Geotechnical Engineer: Langan Engineering
Geothermal Engineer: Alderson Engineering
Meadow Consultant: Larry Weaver Landscape
Soils and Wetlands: Environmental Planning Services
Conservation Planning and Herpetologist: Michael W. Klemens LLC
Project Manager: Paratus Group
Construction Manager: Sciame
Area: 83,000 sf
Year: 2015
Photographs: Iwan Baan, via Afasia archzine