The Glass House, New Canaan’s internationally renowned National Trust Historic Site, is preparing to host one of the nation’s foremost architects at a special event to be held Sept. 26.
A dinner inside the painting gallery at The Glass House. Credit: Neil Landino
Liz Diller, professor of architectural design at Princeton University and founding partner of New York City-based Diller Scofidio + Renfro—designer of The High Line, among other famed projects—is coming to New Canaan for cocktails in The Glass House, a conversation with a prominent architectural critic and a seated dinner in the Painting Gallery. (Tickets are $700 for cocktails, conversation and dinner, and $600 for dinner and conversation only.)
We put some questions to Kirsten Reoch, executive director of The Glass House, ahead of the special evening.
Here’s our exchange.
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New Canaanite: How did “An Evening with Liz Diller” come about?
The Glass House. Credit: Neil Landino
Kirsten Reoch: Two years ago, we began hosting these special evenings once a year in the fall. This event is very personal and intimate as a limited number of guests get a rare chance to experience The Glass House in the evening light and watch the sunset go down while enjoying cocktails and conversations. We wanted to create something inspired by the dinners and gatherings that Philip Johnson, and his partner David Whitney, hosted when they lived at The Glass House. We also wanted to revive the spirit of the salons that have historically taken place here, bringing friends together over cocktails and conversations to discuss contemporary architecture and design. Each year, we invite a remarkable architect to engage in conversation with a cultural writer, allowing our guests to experience a unique evening on site. Last year we had Kulapat Yantrasast, and the year before we had Shigeru Ban. This year, we are thrilled to welcome architect Liz Diller in conversation with architecture and cultural critic, Spencer Bailey, host of The Slowdown.
How does the September 26 evening with Liz Diller fulfill the mission of The Glass House?
Our mission is rooted in architecture, design, and culture, and in creating opportunities for people to experience and engage with this remarkable place. An Evening with Liz Diller brings those ideas together by creating meaningful conversation around contemporary architecture and design, while also inspiring guests to appreciate and support this extraordinary property.
What can attendees expect to experience during the cocktail reception, conversation and seated dinner?
Guests will experience The Glass House in a particularly intimate way, beginning at sunset, when the site is truly magical. They’ll have the opportunity to wander the grounds at their leisure, enjoying cocktails in the Glass House and watching the beautiful sunset. Then we host dinner in the Painting Gallery, a rare opportunity, while our architect is in conversation and giving our guests the opportunity to engage in the conversation as well. This is a special experience to enjoy the special lighting on site, in the Glass House, the Sculpture Gallery’s fluorescent lights, and the beautifully lit paths wandering through the property.