Architecture News Grace Farms Sets Date for Opening of its SANAA-Designed Complex By Joann Gonchar, FAIA Grace Farms Sets Date for Opening of its SANAA-Designed ComplexThe Grace Farms building consists of a 1,400-foot-long pergola that meanders through the rolling terrain.Image courtesy Grace Farms and SANAAGrace Farms Sets Date for Opening of its SANAA-Designed ComplexShown here under construction in late March, the 86,000-square-foot structure will be surrounded by a landscape designed by OLIN in collaboration with SANAA.Photo © Dean KaufmanGrace Farms Sets Date for Opening of its SANAA-Designed ComplexThe underside of the snaking pergola’s roof will be clad in Douglas fur.Photo © Dean KaufmanGrace Farms Sets Date for Opening of its SANAA-Designed ComplexKazuyo Sejima of SANAA inspects the construction progress inside the gymnasium in late March. The double-story space is sunk one level below grade in order to minimize its impact on the landscape.Photo © Dean KaufmanGrace Farms Sets Date for Opening of its SANAA-Designed ComplexArtwork commissioned by the foundation for the complex includes photographs by Thomas Demand of elements from SANAA’s study models.Photo © Thomas Demand, VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn, /ARS, New York, Courtesy of Matthew Marks Gallery, New York May 1, 2015 Architects & FirmsSANAA The Grace Farms Foundation, a New Canaan, Connecticut-based non-profit with a multifarious mission focused on faith, justice, and community, has announced that it will officially open its new complex on October 9. Now nearing completion on the group’s 75 acres of former farmland is an 86,000-square-foot building designed by the Pritzker Prize-winning Japanese firm SANAA. Dubbed “the river” because it consists of a 1,400-foot-long pergola that meanders through the rolling terrain, the glass, wood, and steel structure incorporates pod-like volumes that house a dining room, an indoor amphitheater, and a gymnasium, under what is essentially a single roof. The foundation will operate much like a nature preserve and retreat, hosting events such as film screenings, book signings, and symposia. The surrounding landscape, designed by Philadelphia-based OLIN in collaboration with SANAA, will feature publicly accessible walking trails, picnic areas, and site-specific artwork, including a sound installation by Susan Philipsz and a light-based piece by Olafur Eliasson. KEYWORDS: Connecticut Grace Farms Share This Story Joann Gonchar, FAIA, LEED AP, is deputy editor at Architectural Record. She joined RECORD in 2006, after working for eight years at its sister publication, Engineering News-Record. Before starting her career as a journalist, Joann worked for several architecture firms and spent three years in Kobe, Japan, with the firm Team Zoo, Atelier Iruka. She earned a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Arts from Brown University. She is licensed to practice architecture in New York State. Post a comment to this article Name* E-mail (will not be displayed)* Subject Comment* Report Abusive Comment Thank you for helping us to improve our forums. Is this comment offensive? Please tell us why. Restricted Content You must have JavaScript enabled to enjoy a limited number of articles over the next 30 days. Please click here to continue without javascript.. Related Articles SANAA’s New Sydney Landmark at the Art Gallery of New South WalesSee More Koning Eizenberg’s Student Pavilion at the University of Melbourne Emphasizes Socializing Over StudyingSee More Two Buildings by COOKFOX Anchor a New Multi-Use Neighborhood With a Profusion of GreenerySee More Related ProductsSee More Products Sustainable Design: The Science of Sustainability and Green Engineering See More Products × The latest news and information#1 Source for Architectural Design, News and ProductsSUBSCRIBE
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