Glass House
Museum Modernist glass house designed by Philip Johnson
Philip Johnson’s Glass House estate in New Canaan, Connecticut; visitors tour the modernist pavilion, landscape design, and period furnishings by appointment.
The Glass House is a modernist house in New Canaan, Connecticut designed by Philip Johnson and completed in 1949 as his residence and architectural statement.
The structure is a single-room glass pavilion set in a designed landscape that includes a reflecting pool and several ancillary buildings. Its transparent walls and spare structural system exemplify minimalist modern architecture and the influence of international modernist ideas.
The house is managed as a historic site and is open to visitors by guided tour, allowing inspection of the interior and the relationship between the building and its surrounding landscape.
The Glass House sits in the town of New Canaan in Fairfield County, Connecticut, on a residential estate chosen by Johnson for its wooded setting and landscaped grounds.
- Architect and date: Designed by architect Philip Johnson and completed in 1949, the house is a seminal example of mid-20th-century modernist architecture and is open to the public by guided tour.
What to See #
- The Glass House: The Glass House itself is a single-story pavilion of floor-to-ceiling glass walls and a minimal steel frame that functions as a one-room living space and display of modernist architecture.
- Outbuildings and landscape: A number of outbuildings and landscape features are on the property, including a nearby brick structure and a reflecting pool that contribute to the designed composition of the site.
How to Get to Glass House #
The Glass House is in New Canaan, Connecticut. From New York City, take the Metro-North New Haven line to New Canaan station and then a short taxi ride (~10 minutes). Driving from I-95 takes about an hour depending on traffic; limited on-site parking is available for pre-booked tours.
Tips for Visiting Glass House #
- Tours are usually by appointment-book well in advance as viewing days are limited.
- Respect the architectural setting; photography rules may be strict and interior access limited to guided groups.
- Combine a visit with nearby mid-century modern homes in New Canaan for a thematic day.
Best Time to Visit Glass House #
Best visited spring-autumn to appreciate the landscape framing Philip Johnson's Glass House; visits usually require reservations.
Weather & Climate near Glass House #
Glass House's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Continental - Hot-Summer Continental climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -7°C to 28°C. Abundant rainfall (1272 mm/year), wettest in May, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 2°C and lows of -7°C. Significant rainfall (101 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is freezing with highs of 4°C and lows of -6°C. Regular rainfall (84 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of -2°C. Significant rainfall (112 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (114 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 9°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (119 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 14°C. Significant rainfall (102 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 28°C and lows of 17°C. Significant rainfall (101 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 16°C. Significant rainfall (106 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 12°C. Significant rainfall (112 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (113 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -4°C. Significant rainfall (103 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
