Three years ago my family and I moved here from New York. I grew up in Nashville and my wife is originally from Kansas. We have no historical ties to New Canaan. We came because we love the town.
In 2002 I moved from Tennessee to Connecticut to work for Centerbrook. They are a tremendously talented and thoughtful firm. I have the perspective of understanding first-hand what drives their admirable design process. After Centerbrook I worked for Michael Graves and Peter Marino in New York before opening my own architectural practice. I mention this to illustrate a point of view. I am a foreigner. I am also bias toward Centerbook. And I apply the Louis Armstrong philosophy of music, “if it sounds good it is good,” to architecture: great architecture is great architecture regardless of when or where.
It has been sad to read such entrenched views about the new library. It smacks of political exasperation and personal vendetta. I’m thankful that my young children use more open-minded judgment than some of the discourse exchanged.
That said, I have four general observations from the last several weeks of reading.
First, it is a privilege to be in a community where there is a passionate, open exchange of ideas about something as vital to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as a public library.
Second, there seems to be unanimous (or close to it) support of the new library. This is a key point that isn’t emphasized enough. The sticking point appears to be the 1913 portion of the existing library and where it resides on the proposed Town Green.
Third, I suggest that the Board does their due diligence on the figures quoted for what it would take to keep the 1913 library. A cost of $2 million to do foundation work, refurbish the core and shell and bring it up to code seems out of scale. That’s more than $1,000 a square foot. My firm recently completed full gut renovation of similar size that included new structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and high level finishes, in a pre-war building on Park Avenue for less per square foot. I also sit on the Carriage Barn Arts Center Board. We’re in the midst of renovating bathrooms to be ADA compliant. It is costing tens of thousands of dollars; not hundreds or millions.
Fourth, the 1913 building is great architecture. I make this statement without any nostalgia or romance about what New Canaan was 100 years ago. I’ve studied the building with a skeptical, C.S. Lewisian eye daring it to make me a believer. It is in fact a well-crafted gem that could not be replicated.
Thank you for this opportunity to publicly and respectfully share my observations
Anderson Kenny AIA
Thanks Anderson – that’s so well said, and you are uniquely qualified to speak on this. There should be no good reason that we can’t all support the new building AND keep this piece of fine architecture which would be nestled in plenty of green space.
Anderson, thank you for the architect’s perspective. Architecturally, historically, and culturally, this is one of if not THE most quintessential building in New Canaan. There is no other building which sums up New Canaan better. Architecturally, it is a unique yet classic design, rendering high style elements combined with materials which were an expression of New Canaan’s 1913 rural character – the essence of Town and Country – sited in its iconic location on Main Street. Historically – well you can’t get more historic – it has been the library’s home and flagship image for over 100 years, as well as being the initial home of the Historical Society. Culturally, this building has been the center of the life of generations of New Canaanites. How is demolishing this building, such a pivotal part of our town, even a discussion?
Yes, thank you for your wonderful observations and comments Anderson, they were well thought out and spot on.
The 1913 library is a beautiful and absolutely solid constructed building. All anyone has to do is stand in front of it with open eyes to admire the care, craftsmanship and pride put into it by those who skillfully built it. It was built to last, not just for a hundred years but for hundreds of years. Yes community needs and required technology change over time and I have no doubt that the new library will meet and exceed those requirements. With that, I give no argument to having the new facility. I however do think that those who passionately desire only this new facility just step back a bit, take a breath and consider a change in plan. Both buildings are and will be beautiful and could complement each other nicely, each with their own special uses and benefits for the town. There is plenty of room remaining for adequate green space between and around these buildings. Is it really necessary to destroy a beautiful, finely constructed, proud piece of town history, just to have a bigger patch of grass ? Open your eyes, open your minds and open your hearts. There are other solutions to have these two wonderful facilities coexist and bring joy and pride to the town of New Canaan ! Please don’t let haste destroy and turn a thing of beauty that proudly served thousands of New Canaan residents for over a century into rubble just for the sake of desiring something new.
Anderson,
I agree with your letter. Both the 1913 building and the new library can co-exist and we can still have a beautiful green space.
Wherever I lived (I was born and raised in Manhattan) or visit during a vacation, I make it my business to visit the local library. I recall being quite impressed by the 1913 building when we came to town over 20 years ago. I simply can’t imagine New Canaan without it.
Yes, I stood in front of Main Street and admired the craftsmanship before I ventured inside. Please keep it!!!
Dear Anderson,
I’m just happy to read this because it gives those of us who care about the 1913 building a sense of affirmation. I agree the new Library will be wonderful and I support the co-existence of old and new. I am no longer a resident but have deep roots in New Canaan and still have family and friends there. Most feel as I do. Thank you for your supportive and informative letter.
Thank you to the New Canaan architectural community and an abundance of concerned citizens who have voiced alarm about losing our exquisite 1913 architectural cornerstone. Though I am not an architect, I am an architectural aficionado and follow architecture from the past to present day.
My husband and I moved to New Canaan from New York thirty years ago. We chose New Canaan for its architecture, zoning and size. We looked at many towns within commutable distance to Manhattan and none compared to cultural setting on Main Street from the 1913 Library all the way to the campus of the New Canaan Historical Society. And none compared to the quality of a few mid-century modern residences. We purchased an “important” modern (designed 1956) from the architect who designed and lived in our house until he sold it to us. In 2010 a prominent Japanese architect designed a second building on the property, which respects the original while it expresses its distinctive contemporary aesthetic.
As we know, the architectural firm, Centerbrook, has prelimary designs for a contemporary library. I realize the need for larger and updated space and believe the 1913 and the contemporary structures can speak to one another and represent a stunning juxtaposition of our cultural history.
Centerbrook has an impressive portfolio of work whose programs have been to combine important architecture from the past with their new designs. Some clients who have requested such include Phillips Academy, the Addison Gallery, Andover MA; Duke University, Karsh Alumni and Visitor Center, Durham, NC; West Springfield Public Library, Springfield, MA; and Centerbrook’s own offices in Centerbrook, CT for which they received a preservation award for repurposing a 1893 brick building from a factory that fashioned drill bits to their offices.
Architecture speaks for us in New Canaan. As Pritzer prizewinner Renzo Piano states: “Cities and towns are beautiful because they are created slowly; they are made by time. You live in a limbo between a gratitude towards the past and a great passion for experimentation, for exploration of the future.
The 1913 library is an exceptional work—a monument to our cultural history. As we look to the future, let’s not neglect the fragility of our culture.
I think it’s important to note that its not just the cost to renovate the building, but what we would be giving up to keep it – a real Town Green that could be used as a central space for community activities. With the 1913 building remaining where it is, there will be no Town Green. Not only that, it will detract from the beauty of the new, modern building, which reckons back to mid-Century designs for which New Canaan is famous. Some people love the old building, others don’t. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. By building a brand new building, rather than trying to renovate the old, the town is able to maintain use of the current building, and there will be no interruption in current service. Keeping the building raise costs – and frankly, all of these projects seem to go over budget, rather than under. The architect only mentions certain costs, such as shoring up the foundation. But what about the additional costs to trying to demolish the rest of the building, while leaving that one part standing? My guess is that one part of the building also doesn’t have a stand alone heating and cooling system, so we are also now talking about adding a new heating and cooling system specific to that one piece. I’m not an architect, but just a homeowner who has renovated a 1915 carriage house and can immediately think of two very expensive issues that AIA seems to have omitted. All this and we make the remaining space useless for any other purpose. A final thought is the overall aesthetic. Any designer will recommend that, in general, its best to stick to one design theme, rather than mixing styles and periods. There are exceptions, such as the pyramid in front of the Louvre. I don’t see the 1913 building in front of the striking modern structure as one of those examples. It would be good to get a show of hands of how many people really care about the 1913 building, or if its just a few, passionate voices. I would recommend moving the building to a more suitable site, but I suspect that our First Selectman would not support adding the maintenance of one more building to the towns responsibility. I think a lot more people who be attracted to moving to NC with a beautiful, state of the art library, next to a beautiful, functional Town Green, than have the usefulness and landscaped of that diminished by an out-of-place 1913 fixture. It seems we are giving up a lot, and it will cost a lot, to keep it.