SANAA
ABOUT THE ARCHITECT
SANAA is a Japanese architecture firm known for its minimalist, fluid designs that emphasize light, transparency, and spatial continuity. Founded by Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa in 1995, the firm has developed an international reputation for creating buildings that feel open, airy, and seamlessly integrated with their environments. Their approach often involves delicate materials, clean lines, and an intentional blurring of boundaries between interior and exterior spaces. Notable works include the Rolex Learning Center in Switzerland, the New Museum in New York City, and Grace Farms in Connecticut. SANAA’s architecture is both poetic and precise, often appearing deceptively simple while offering complex spatial experiences. Their projects reflect a deep sensitivity to human interaction, movement, and the qualities of natural light. The firm has received numerous accolades, including the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2010, affirming their influential role in contemporary architecture.
PROJECTS:
New Canaan, CT - United States
GRACE FARMS
ADDRESS:
365 Lukes Wood Road New Canaan, CT 06840
ACCESS:
Public Access: FREE
DISCRIPTION:
Grace Farms, situated in New Canaan, Connecticut, is a striking integration of architecture and landscape crafted by SANAA. The centerpiece, known as “The River,” stretches along an 80-acre preserve as a sinuous, single-story structure floating atop glass-enclosed volumes that house spaces like a sanctuary, library, commons, gym, and welcome pavilion . A light aluminum roof sweeps gently with the terrain, creating sheltered outdoor pockets and bathes interiors in panoramic views through more than 200 floor-to-ceiling glass panels . The building engages sustainably with its site, employing geothermal wells, recycled on-site materials, and LEED recognition . By blending transparency, flowing form, and ecological sensitivity, Grace Farms offers a contemplative, community-oriented environment that blurs indoor and outdoor boundaries in service of culture, nature, and well-being.
NOTES:
Grace Farms is FREE to the public, please check hours on the the website before visiting.
New York City, NY - United States
NEW MUSEUM
ADDRESS:
235 Bowery, New York, NY 10002
ACCESS:
Adult $18 | Senior $15 | Student $12 | Under 18 FREE
HOURS:
Operating hours subject to change, confirm hours on website.
DISCRIPTION:
The New Museum in New York City, designed by SANAA, presents a strikingly minimalist stack of offset boxes rising along the Bowery. This layered composition creates subtle terraces and allows natural light to filter into the galleries through slits and skylights. The building's silvery, mesh-like façade gives it a luminous, almost ethereal presence, contrasting with the gritty urban surroundings. Its form rejects traditional museum grandeur, instead embracing a sense of openness, flexibility, and informality. The staggered volumes not only reflect the museum's mission to support contemporary and experimental art but also allow for varied ceiling heights and adaptable interior spaces. The architecture encourages a fluid visitor experience, where movement through the galleries feels intuitive and responsive. SANAA’s design is both quiet and radical, asserting a powerful identity through simplicity and spatial clarity. The building stands as a thoughtful, contemporary response to the evolving role of the art institution in the city.
NOTES:
The museum is currently constructing an addition designed by OMA that will double the square footage of the museum. This may cause limitation to the number of exhibits on view during construction. Check the website for temporary closures and current hours of operation.
