The religious charity Grace Farms Foundation has acquired a 30.35-hectare farm in New Keynen, Connecticut to convert it into its headquarters. It was decided to preserve the picturesque natural landscape as much as possible; after a long search, the SANAA bureau, known for their "dissolving in thin air" projects, was chosen as architects for the foundation's representation.
The customers set a task for the Japanese: to make an inconspicuous building, even the memories of which should not remain with visitors after visiting the farm - the main thing should be the natural environment.
As a result, a project called "River" was created: it is a series of transparent pavilions under a common roof-tape. The structure, 3 m high, "flows" over the unevenness of the landscape, occupying a total area of 0.4 hectares. The remaining land area will be converted into a public space available to all.
The building on a total area of 6 thousand m2 will house a church, a library, a canteen, a gym, and halls for holding social events. SANAA's barn, preserved from the previous owners, will be used as the foundation's office.
Landscaping will be done by OLIN. The project budget is $ 50-60 million. Construction is scheduled to begin in February 2013.
N. F.
