THE GLASS HOUSE

Viviane Ashcroft • May 5, 2025

A Transparent Canvas of Modern Art 

EXPLORING PHILIP JOHNSON'S ARCHITECTURAL MASTERPIECE AND ITS CURATED ART COLLECTIONS 


Nestled amidst the rolling, verdant landscapes of New Canaan, Connecticut, Philip Johnson's Glass House is not merely an architectural marvel; it is a masterpiece of transparency, modernism, and artistic vision. This 49-acre estate, conceived between 1949 and 1995, embodies the creative genius of Johnson and his partner, curator David Whitney, whose combined passions transformed it into a living museum of architecture, art, and design.


Completed in 1949, the Glass House stands as a minimalist masterpiece, constructed from sheets of glass and delicate steel frames, dissolving the barriers between the indoors and nature. With unobstructed views of the surrounding landscape, the structure invites visitors to experience the serenity and interconnectedness of the environment. Its counterpart, the Brick House, offers a contrasting embrace of opacity, creating a thought-provoking dialogue between transparency and solidity.


While the architecture alone captivates the senses, the treasures within are equally remarkable. Johnson and Whitney, both devoted connoisseurs of contemporary art, curated an extraordinary collection that reflects the evolution of modernist aesthetics. Their taste and foresight brought works by art luminaries such as Frank Stella, Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg, David Salle, Cindy Sherman, and Julian Schnabel to the estate, establishing it as a beacon of cultural significance.


One of the estate's most intriguing spaces is the Painting Gallery, an underground structure designed by Johnson in 1965. Inspired by the solemnity of ancient Greek tombs, this earth-bermed gallery provides an intimate, contemplative environment for experiencing large-scale modern paintings. Visitors can explore a rotating selection of works thanks to an ingenious system of moving racks, ensuring that no two visits are ever the same.


Equally captivating is the Sculpture Gallery, unveiled in 1970. This luminous, multi-tiered space, characterized by its glass roof and interplay of light and shadow, offers an immersive experience of three-dimensional art. Sculptures are displayed in a setting that blurs the line between the constructed and natural worlds, inviting viewers to engage deeply with each piece.


The estate’s expansive grounds further enrich the experience, featuring site-specific installations by renowned artists like Donald Judd and Julian Schnabel. Judd's minimalist works, known for their geometric clarity, and Schnabel’s expressive pieces create a dialogue with the surrounding landscape. These installations invite visitors to contemplate the profound connections between form, space, and environment.


Beyond the architectural and artistic elements, the estate serves as a tribute to the visionary partnership between Johnson and Whitney. Together, they redefined the concept of a museum, making the Glass House a place where art and architecture exist in perfect harmony. Their legacy lives on through the estate, which continues to inspire and captivate visitors with its seamless integration of creativity and nature.


For those eager to immerse themselves in this extraordinary convergence of art, architecture, and landscape, the Glass House offers guided tours from April 17 to December 15, 2025. Visitors can explore the estate's many facets, from the innovative galleries to the serene outdoor installations. Tickets are available on the Glass House’s official website, and advance booking is recommended to secure your spot.



A visit to the Glass House is more than just a tour; it’s an intimate journey into the creative minds of two modernist pioneers. It’s an opportunity to experience firsthand how architecture and art can shape our perception of space, time, and beauty—a testament to the timeless legacy of Philip Johnson and David Whitney.

By Colleen Richmond May 10, 2025
L et’s be honest: fitness trends come and go faster than a green juice cleanse in January. One minute it's all about burpees and boot camps, and the next it’s Pilates reformers and infrared saunas. But what if the real key to long-term strength, grace, and movement longevity isn’t about doing more, but doing it smarter? Enter Pvolve , the low-impact fitness method making serious waves—and turning serious heads. When Jennifer Aniston joined the brand in 2023, it wasn’t just another celeb deal. Jen had hit a wall—burnt out from demanding film shoots, intense workouts, and a back injury that left her searching for a gentler, more sustainable way to move. After seeing a friend’s transformation, she gave Pvolve a try—and never looked back. So what’s the secret behind this sculpt-and-stabilize revolution? The Power of "Functional Fitness" (That’s Actually Fun) Pvolve isn’t about punishing your body—it’s about partnering with it. Founded in 2017 by Rachel Katzman after her own fitness routine left her aching and exhausted (hello scoliosis pain), Pvolve was built to feel good and work better. With a Clinical Advisory Board, expert trainers, and a totally unique method, Katzman flipped the script on what workouts should feel like: effective, energizing, and dare we say… enjoyable. Every PVolve session is grounded in functional movement , meaning it trains your body to move the way you do in real life. Think: twisting, reaching, balancing, and stabilizing. You’ll tone those arms and abs, yes—but also build a body that bends, twists, and struts confidently through your 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond. Meet Your New Best Friend: Stability We talk a lot about strength and cardio, but stability? That’s the unsung hero of staying fabulous as we age. Here’s the real tea: as estrogen starts to dip (usually in our late 30s), women begin to lose muscle mass, bone density, and—surprise!—balance. This is where Pvolve truly shines. Every class weaves in stability training, from single-leg moves to those deceptively simple holds that light your core on fire. But it’s not just about muscle. It’s about reflexes , bone health , and even cognition . Yes, you read that right—balance training can actually boost your brain. We’re talking sharper memory, better focus, and faster reactions (perfect for catching that glass of rosé before it hits the floor). Bones Love It. Brains Love It. Your Back Will Love It. Studies show that single-leg work and light plyometrics promote bone growth, especially at the hips, where aging women are most at risk for fractures. Pvolve’s smart, targeted movements put just enough stress on the skeleton to encourage density without overloading joints. Add in vestibular training (your body’s GPS for balance and posture), and you’re not just future-proofing your body—you’re giving it a total tune-up. Think of it like this: every Pvolve class is a little love letter to your future self. Stronger legs? Check. Better balance? Yes. Improved coordination, agility, and confidence? Triple yes. Why Jennifer (and So Many of Us) Are All In Jen isn’t chasing skinny—she’s chasing sustainable. And so are we. Pvolve offers something rare in today’s fitness culture: a method that meets you where you are, helps you feel amazing now, and sets you up for a long, vibrant life full of movement and joy. This isn’t about punishment or perfection. It’s about building a body that works with you, not against you. The VIVANT Takeaway Strength is beautiful. Grace is powerful. And stability? That’s your golden ticket to longevity. Whether you’re 39 or 69, now’s the time to train smart, love your body, and embrace the movement method that’s rewriting the rulebook.  Pvolve isn’t just a workout—it’s the missing piece. And once you find it, trust us: you won’t want to let it go.
By Georgette Gouveia May 8, 2025
Greenwich Historical Society is one organization that grasps the import of the Roman philosopher and historian Seneca’s advice to “combine all times.”  Its library and archives – containing more than 40,000 items, including personal papers, manuscripts, genealogies and maps – are a rich repository of Greenwich’s past that also helps today’s homeowners connect to property records. Its exhibits and events like its Juneteenth celebration focus visitors on the past and present. And its eye is ever on the future through its support of Greenwich’s business community and newcomers to the town. Or as the historical society’s website says: “We preserve and interpret Greenwich history to strengthen the community’s connection to our past, to each other, and to our future.” Founded in 1931 on two acres overlooking the Mianus River in the Cos Cob section of Greenwich, the historical society has four key structures – the Bush-Holley House, the 1732 saltbox-style residence of the mercantile Bush family that in the late-19th and early-20th centuries became the summer home of a group of American Impressionist painters known as the Cos Cob Art Colony; the Bush Storehouse (1805), now the historical society’s offices; the Barn, now the Vanderbilt Education Center; and a 10,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art Museum & Library Building (2018), whose store and café lie in the connected former Toby’s Tavern, a 19th-century railroad hotel, said Debra L. Mecky, the historical society’s CEO and executive director. Colorful, informally arranged flower, herb and vegetable gardens recreate those planted by Constant Holley MacRae and her artist-husband, Elmer Livingston MacRae, who ultimately ran the summer boardinghouse for the art colony, which included Childe Hassam, Ernest Lawson, Theodore Robinson, J. Alden Weir and John Henry Twatchman. (The Twatchman catalog raisonné of more than 750 works began debuting on the historical society’s website in 2021, with his “Front Porch,” an 1896-99 oil on canvas of the front porch of the artist’s Greenwich home being a recent acquisition.) In keeping with the historical society’s mission to tell the fuller story of Greenwich for a broader audience, Bush-Holley House tours also include the chamber where some of the Bush family’s 16 enslaved servants may have slept, with a record of their names – a departure from many of the slave records kept in the South. (Emancipation laws in Connecticut required the recording of all enslaved children born after 1784, Mecky said.) That colonial period comes alive with the exhibit “Greenwich During the Revolutionary War: A Frontier Town on the Front Lines.” “We were on the New York/Connecticut border,” she said of Greenwich’s strategic role in the American Revolution. “The exhibit considers the complexities of that time, the pressure to announce your loyalties and what that meant.” The exhibit accompanied by talk by Joseph Ellis, author of “The Cause: The American Revolution and its Discontents,” and related TimeTravelers KidStudio programs. But the historical society – which has a full-time staff of 24 and an operating budget of $2 million funded by members, its board, and the larger community – is also very much focused on the present and the future. Its Oct. 24th gala at the Round Hill Club honored Scott Mitchell, who with Tyler Mitchell leads the luxury Mitchell Stores, a multigenerational family business that includes Richards on Greenwich Avenue in Greenwich. “Honoring Scott and the Mitchell family at this year’s ‘History in the Making’ event triggered an idea to promote Greenwich Avenue,” a spokeswoman said. “While details are not finalized, the historical society in 2025 is planning to offer various tours, possibly guided and self-guided, that will provide context on the history of the avenue’s dynamic and evolving retail sector and the structures housing it. This initiative will be an extension of the ‘Discover Greenwich’ series of interactive programs that promotes a sense of place and belonging, sparks dialogue and inspires meaningful connections across our diverse community.” It’s one more way, added Dianne Niklaus, the historical society’s director of marketing and communications, in which the society explores “how the past informs the present and the future.” For more, visit greenwichhistory.org.
By Georgette Gouveia May 7, 2025
A Voyage Through Mystic’s Storied Past and Promising Future
More Posts