The cultural foundation's headquarters in Connecticut by SANAA

On a vast property north of New Canaan in the American state of Connecticut, a new headquarters for the Grace Farms Foundation was opened in early October, designed by the Tokyo-based office SANAA. In searching for a suitable architect, the foundation representatives sought a studio that would demonstrate respect for the local meadows, forests, wetlands, and ponds through its design. The 32-hectare area consists of fertile land.
The commission was awarded in 2009 to the Japanese duo Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa, who came up with a “structure that awakens our respect for nature”. SANAA, together with landscape architects OLIN, designed a building reminiscent of a meandering river, which is 430 meters long and in some parts "expands" to a width of up to 45 meters. The architects aimed for the foundation’s headquarters to “be a part of nature and not draw too much attention to itself”. The foundation's headquarters utilizes the slope of the terrain. The single-story structure follows the slope and offers a chance to view from higher areas the roof resembling a shimmering water surface. Beneath the roof of the meandering structure, five glass droplet-shaped forms hide a theater, library, conference room, and offices, from which there is again a unique view of the surrounding nature, as well as the meandering roof of the foundation.

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