Ideas For Pool House's Future
Editor:
A special meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission took place last Wednesday evening at the Lapham Community Center. Future plans for the once-threatened Landis Gores-designed modern home, formerly known as the Irwin pool house, were discussed by representatives of the Friends of the Landis Gores Pavilion.
As some of you may know I have actively spoken out in favor of the restoration of this seminal structure. In fact, last year I alerted both Pam Gores, wife of Landis Gores, and Janet Lindstrom, executive director of the New Canaan Historical Society, that the building was still standing, but at the same time that it was slated for demolition. It is my belief that this sturdy and beautiful modern will one day be the central feature of Irwin Park.
The first goal is to raise money to save this modern, but when the final architectural plans are drawn I want to be sure that its twin south-facing wing walls are fully glazed to allow for passive solar heat gain during the chilly but sunny winter months. Mr. Gores' roof overhang design already blocks out strong summer solar heat. If the wings are to be used for exhibits, it would be appropriate to locate a Trombe wall behind the glazing, so that the interior side of the Trombe wall may be used for exhibit material. A Trombe wall, named after Frenchman Felix Trombe, is a south-facing wall, which has thermal mass characteristics. It is normally composed of adobe, concrete or stone.
We have too few examples of passive solar design in New Canaan. This building is situated perfectly for it. Incorporating passive solar design into this building will be an excellent educational tool not only for adults but also for children. It is notable that Landis Gores was a leader in passive solar design. In fact, my family and I attended the opening of Mr. Gores' and his wife Pam's energy-efficient and solar designed House for All Seasons on Soundview Lane in December 1979.
I hope you will join me in supporting the preservation of the Landis Gores modern at Irwin Park and speak out in favor of incorporating south-facing glazing into the building's wings.
If you agree with me that the preservation of this building will greatly add to the character of New Canaan, please don't hesitate to pledge a generous donation.
Those who were unable to attend Wednesday's meeting may contact me either by phone (966-4387) if you agree that preservation of this iconic memorial to New Canaan's modern architects will be treasured in the future as an invaluable town asset.
Richard M. Stowe
New Canaan
A special meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission took place last Wednesday evening at the Lapham Community Center. Future plans for the once-threatened Landis Gores-designed modern home, formerly known as the Irwin pool house, were discussed by representatives of the Friends of the Landis Gores Pavilion.
As some of you may know I have actively spoken out in favor of the restoration of this seminal structure. In fact, last year I alerted both Pam Gores, wife of Landis Gores, and Janet Lindstrom, executive director of the New Canaan Historical Society, that the building was still standing, but at the same time that it was slated for demolition. It is my belief that this sturdy and beautiful modern will one day be the central feature of Irwin Park.
The first goal is to raise money to save this modern, but when the final architectural plans are drawn I want to be sure that its twin south-facing wing walls are fully glazed to allow for passive solar heat gain during the chilly but sunny winter months. Mr. Gores' roof overhang design already blocks out strong summer solar heat. If the wings are to be used for exhibits, it would be appropriate to locate a Trombe wall behind the glazing, so that the interior side of the Trombe wall may be used for exhibit material. A Trombe wall, named after Frenchman Felix Trombe, is a south-facing wall, which has thermal mass characteristics. It is normally composed of adobe, concrete or stone.
We have too few examples of passive solar design in New Canaan. This building is situated perfectly for it. Incorporating passive solar design into this building will be an excellent educational tool not only for adults but also for children. It is notable that Landis Gores was a leader in passive solar design. In fact, my family and I attended the opening of Mr. Gores' and his wife Pam's energy-efficient and solar designed House for All Seasons on Soundview Lane in December 1979.
I hope you will join me in supporting the preservation of the Landis Gores modern at Irwin Park and speak out in favor of incorporating south-facing glazing into the building's wings.
If you agree with me that the preservation of this building will greatly add to the character of New Canaan, please don't hesitate to pledge a generous donation.
Those who were unable to attend Wednesday's meeting may contact me either by phone (966-4387) if you agree that preservation of this iconic memorial to New Canaan's modern architects will be treasured in the future as an invaluable town asset.
Richard M. Stowe
New Canaan
posted by Richard Stowe at 9:47 PM
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