Grace Farms

Coordinates: 41°11′49″N 73°30′43″W / 41.196926°N 73.512058°W / 41.196926; -73.512058

Grace Farms, view of the River Building, dedicated areas connected by a serpentine covered walkway

Grace Farms is a private non-profit community center in New Canaan, Connecticut that is dedicated to faith, nature, art, community and social justice.[1] The center is located on an 80 acres (32 ha) site, which features the 2015-built River Building. The building, designed by the Japanese architectural firm SANAA to course along the hillside, includes a 700-seat amphitheater/sanctuary, a library focused on nature, art and religion, a common space with a cafe, a coffee bar and a sunken basketball court. Two other buildings feature a visitor center and offices.

There are trails through the grounds, of which 77 acres will remain in a native state of open meadows, woods, wetlands, and ponds. Art installations are located around the site, and there is also a vegetable garden.

Grace Farms hosts public programs for children and adults about nature, art, exercise and community.

Buildings

Grace Farms, 700 seat amphitheater, viewed from the outside
Chairs at Grace Farms, New Canaan, CT
Grace Farms is built on 80 acres of land.

Opened in 2015, the River Building was designed by the Japanese architectural firm SANAA, helmed by Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa.[2][3] It is so named because it features a single meandering river-like roof that connects the spaces, which follows the curves of the hill it was built on.[4]

The building cost $65 million.[2] According to the New York Times, the Grace Farms Foundation secured funding from more than 100 donors to raise $120 million for the site.[5]

The site consists of the 48-acre former Windsome Farm, an equestrian facility, and an adjacent 27-acre parcel, which were bought between 2008 and 2009 by the Grace Farms Foundation.[6] An additional five acres were later purchased.[2] The property still features many of the equestrian farm's fences and buildings, including two long barns that have been turned into the welcome center and offices.

Community

Grace Community Church leases space at Grace Farms, and hosts coffee and bagels on Sunday mornings, with a worship service after.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "New Canaan Community Invited To Check Out Grace Farms". New Canaan Daily Voice. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 "Grace Farms Opens With A Distinctive Open Space". Hartford Courant. October 25, 2015. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  3. ↑ "Grace Farms". ArchDaily. October 14, 2015. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  4. ↑ "Grace Farms building New Canaan by SANAA". E-Architect. September 19, 2015. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  5. ↑ Ted Loos (October 16, 2015). "The Spiritual and Spectacular Meet at an Ultramodern Community Center in Connecticut". New York Times. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  6. ↑ "Renowned architects design $50M building for New Canaan's Grace Farm Foundation". New Canaan News. October 3, 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
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