Our family moved to New Canaan in the summer of 2015 after spending 20 years in New York City.
I grew up in the suburbs of New York in a small town called Stony Point. My husband is from Melbourne, Australia and has traveled the world extensively for his work. We both come from humble means. Our post-World War II parents, mine from the farmlands of Ireland, my in-laws still live in Melbourne, we knew right away what a unique and special town New Canaan was. We fell in love with this town because of its small yet worldly minded community. We’ve met both New Canaanites that are proud third and fourth generations who leave then return, and wide-eyed newcomers like us. All of them agree that the unifying contrasts of what’s old and new in this town is what appeals to so many that visit New Canaan.
One thing that drew us in was the quaint town with its library just a stone throw away from bustling Elm Street. We knew early on that this library needed an update. We knew after moving here the time would eventually come that we could be a part of experiencing the “new” opportunities a new library would bring to our family and the community. When we first saw the new library plans, its connection to the town’s history of the Glass House and Harvard Five, we were instantly in support of it and wrote a check out the same day.
While we love the traditional Colonial style of our home and appreciate connections to worlds past, we also know the value more modern structures bring to important cultural labs such as a town library. As noted in David Edwards’s book “Creating Things That Matter, The Art And Science of Innovations That Last,” a new frontier for the next generation is to experience something completely new to tap into intuitive creative thinking that last generations to come. My husband Paul and I feel that the new New Canaan library is the next generation’s new frontier. Both our children are voracious readers and are equally excited about the new library plans and their connection to its future.
What’s really appealing with the new design is the connection to the outside beauty letting in natural light even on those gray New England days. As described in William Earl’s book, The Harvard Five in New Canaan, Midcentury Modern-style homes created a dialogue between the natural and the manmade, from exterior through interior, ultimately uniting contrasting notions. One might agree that this is what human progress is all about, is it not? For our next generation to experience a “new” library while connecting them to the town‘s history of modern architecture gives them great opportunities, some of which will include taking risks. Like the architects of yesterday, both old world and modern alike, love them or hate them, were risk-takers paving the way for new thinkers. We need to ask our next generation what matters to them. As the late Walt Disney would say, “wear your guests’ shoes.”
Throughout the graceful airy design of the new library we can remember its older structure respectfully with various interpretations to its past, such as an impactful wall of historic visual literacy of photos and storytelling, while not necessarily keeping up a brick wall. This library should be a visual magnet as New Canaan has experienced before. This new design has the potential to welcome more business to our town merchants. The occupants of this library can experience the morning sunlight coming through the glass, filling the inside with radiant heat, a beautiful image but also a helpful way to mitigate maintenance costs. The library green will emphasize its connections to nature and to the town and is also an important part of this vital new cultural hub. The architectural plans by Centerbrook have done an impressive job uniting everything about New Canaan’s history, old and new, nature and man-made, it’s all there. We cannot wait to see it come into fruition. We are very eager to move forward together with you in this.
My family and I are proud of and in full support of the new library plans that have been worked on so diligently these past few years. We do hope the community, as a whole, will see clearly its benefits to our community and to future generations.
Sincerely,
Maureen and Paul Williamson
Is there any reason why modern architecture cannot be combined with historical architecture? In this way, both elements can be appreciated. To totally wipe out what is meaningful to a great number of residents in complete favor of those who prefer a modern look is a one-sided approach. Why not be truly creative and combine the two elements to compromise? It appears this was the preferred attitude when the first add-on project occurred several years ago, and it worked.
As, per the podcast, there were designs done integrating the old and the new. That option was explored and it would be great to see those designs and have a discussion. I agree, it would be a win win for everyone involved. It certainly sounds like it was explored but no one has seen the outputs from those meetings.
I think a perfect example of combining old with new is the Ridgefield library. I would recommend a visit to anyone who has an interest.
Ann Brookshire
As a lifelong resident, and one who is often opposed to change in New Canaan, I’ve never had a strong feeling about preserving the original library, despite the objections of many who have been closely involved with the new project, and their understandable disappointment with how the process has unfolded.
I am in favor of starting fresh and going along with the new design only, for two important reasons. First, incorporating the original library into the new will result in compromises and more cost overruns. Second, keeping the existing structure will eliminate a large part of the new “town green” area, so the magnet effect of having the new green space closest to the heart of town will be lost. In order for interest in the new library to be sustainable, this magnet effect is an important day-to-day feature.
Thank you so much for this piece and for your support! I agree 1000%. The “new”’new library design is incredible and will provide downtown such a great burst of energy, creativity and inspiration. Can’t wait for opening day!